As far as the former Confederates States of America's territory goes, I do not know how many "mixed babies" were born to the slave women on the plantations, but clearly, since arriving on the slave ships from Africa, African Americans are more American than they are African when it comes to their hair texture.
Pictured is Kenya Moore, former pageant winner, current cast member of the Real Housewives of Atlanta. Yes, I believe that this is all of Kenya Moore's hair without any hair extensions. She has historically had long, luscious hair. But . . . her natural pattern is probably around a type 3 versus a type 4. I consider a Type 4 curl pattern more of an African curl pattern. If anyone of true African descent want to comment on my categorizing of African hair, then please feel free to comment. I have never taken a trip to Africa; so I do not know any more than what I know through media coverage over the decades.
However, I have been providing hair care services to the public for about ten years. I have seen all types of hair textures and hair curl patterns. I am willing to say that
75% of Black women have hair that is mixed with some other race besides Africa. Most Black women do NOT have what I consider true African hair. Most Black women want a relaxer to enhance style; however, most Black women do NOT need a relaxer.
Now for the 25% of the Black women who do have more African textured, coily hair, who do need some form of healthy management of their hair are not being catered to by the ethnic haircare lines. Most of the "Black haircare" caters to the
75% of the Black women who have mixed hair up to about a Type 4a curl pattern.
Just as I was concluding how many ethnic haircare lines do NOT cater to tightly coiled curl patterns, I was graciously given a 2013 calendar from a ethnic haircare line which only showcases one Black model with hair that looks like it is more African textured. One model out of twelve . . . Do you see her on the top row in the center? So that is not even a 10 percentile. Wow!
So ladies with extremely tight curl patterns, the relaxer application process as it is now is not catered to you. I am just being honest. I have been trying to design a tool to better apply the relaxer to hair whose new growth compounds at the scalp, but it is not finished yet.
Anyway, for those who are willing to try Sisterlocks, or other locking procedures, it is the best option for those that do not fit into that 75% of Blacks that have mixed hair textures. I know - locks are hard to digest when working in a corporate, political world, but this message is worth consideration.
