the most successful and celebrated natural woman in the Wide Web World.
Lady D
With a forum of nearly 30.000 registered members, Dee is the most successful and celebrated natural woman in the Wide Web World. Nappturalityâs board has grown to be a place where women from all over the Diaspora talk about more than just hair. This site has become a cultural celebration of our roots. An interview with Dee the lady behind nappturality.com to whom I will ever be grateful for writing the foreword for my book.
How did you get the idea to start nappturality.com? What was your motivation for starting it? And when was the actual live date of np?
It seems funny to me now to think about. The idea came when I was on a curly hair website, one I had been a member of for several months, and I noticed that the âµnappyⶠhair types, like mine, got little love. The conversation about our hair type always ended up with how to straighten it, defrizz it and burn it into submission. People were categorizing their hair too much using letters, numbers âto the detriment I think, of our personal perceptions. It was good hair/bad hair all over again. I kept getting into arguments with people when I would ask why they just donât try the natural way for a while. It became frustrating.
It seems funny to me now to think about. The idea came when I was on a curly hair website, one I had been a member of for several months, and I noticed that the âµnappyⶠhair types, like mine, got little love. The conversation about our hair type always ended up with how to straighten it, defrizz it and burn it into submission. People were categorizing their hair too much using letters, numbers âto the detriment I think, of our personal perceptions. It was good hair/bad hair all over again. I kept getting into arguments with people when I would ask why they just donât try the natural way for a while. It became frustrating.
My hair was nappy, I loved it and I wanted to show it off! So did a lot of other women and we all agreed there was nowhere where we could meet and share pictures.
When I had a bad car accident and surgery in 2001 and was told I would never be able to sit at a computer again because of my spinal injury I felt sorry for myself for a few weeks, then decided to prove the diagnosis wrong. I was in tremendous pain and had lost almost all the use of my right arm but the women I had gotten to know on the internet inspired me to do something.
I taught myself HTML and had the idea to create a portal where nappy-heads like me could post their pictures without fear of ridicule. An online gallery of pictures and email addresses where we could share our photo albums and hair styles. It was a simple idea.
NAPPturality was born on April 20, 2002. Being my fatherâs birthday it was a special date I had planned and hoped it would be blessed. As it turned out, it was. Once it was launched it gave me my courage back to work on improving my health as well. So itâs been good to me.
So youâre a couple of years further. Did you expect this huge success?
Not in a million years. I still cannot believe the growth. I have all the figures from the website since that day and the growth has been phenomenal. Unfortunately, sometimes to the detriment of numerous shut downs by hosting providers who could not continue hosting the website because of the high loads. We are now dedicated and upgrading yet again to a faster server in April. I am so proud of the Community which has come together to support and help each other. Itâs gratifying to see so much love and itâs what keeps me motivated.
Not in a million years. I still cannot believe the growth. I have all the figures from the website since that day and the growth has been phenomenal. Unfortunately, sometimes to the detriment of numerous shut downs by hosting providers who could not continue hosting the website because of the high loads. We are now dedicated and upgrading yet again to a faster server in April. I am so proud of the Community which has come together to support and help each other. Itâs gratifying to see so much love and itâs what keeps me motivated.
Do you think nappturality can help change the fact that the majority still has the urge to relax their hair? How so?
From the emails I get, I know that Nappturality is having a profound effect on the way women who find the website are thinking about their hair. I get emails from women who stumble across the site after searching Google for Black hair styles and decide, AFTER reading the articles and joining the Community, to stop relaxing. That is an incredible feat for a website, and I am happy to be able to do this for our sisters.
I can only dream that Nappturality can be an instrument in the turning of the tide of the majority. Maybe not in my lifetime, but eventually I would like to see women make INFORMED choices about their hair and what chemicals they decide to put onto their bodies and their daughtersâ bodies.
From the emails I get, I know that Nappturality is having a profound effect on the way women who find the website are thinking about their hair. I get emails from women who stumble across the site after searching Google for Black hair styles and decide, AFTER reading the articles and joining the Community, to stop relaxing. That is an incredible feat for a website, and I am happy to be able to do this for our sisters.
I can only dream that Nappturality can be an instrument in the turning of the tide of the majority. Maybe not in my lifetime, but eventually I would like to see women make INFORMED choices about their hair and what chemicals they decide to put onto their bodies and their daughtersâ bodies.
Why is it that the vast majority of women of color still use straightening chemicals? Where does the idea stem from that we have to straighten our hair? What is the source?
I get asked this question a lot. And over the years I have sought answers from history as well as through my own personal experiences. The reason the vast majority of Black women straighten their hair is because it is TAUGHT that we HAVE to do it. Itâs that simple. Itâs no mystery.
I get asked this question a lot. And over the years I have sought answers from history as well as through my own personal experiences. The reason the vast majority of Black women straighten their hair is because it is TAUGHT that we HAVE to do it. Itâs that simple. Itâs no mystery.
The mystery begins when we begin to examine the reasons behind WHY we are taught this. And that is where the Napptural journey of begins for a sister. I can sit here all day and lecture everyone about how our collective self-hate has been brought about by the successful enforcement of White supremacy on our psyche. I can also tell you all day about how we have been brainwashed to believe our hair is bad, ugly, evil, unprofessional, inferiorâ just like our skin, hair, featuresâ our entire race ,itâs all true, but I donât have to make speeches about that.
Because just those few sentences are enough to strike at the heart of the matter and it is up to the individual to decide their own mindset came to be and start to change their thinking. If what I have said rings true for you, or makes you uncomfortable, explore it. I donât believe in forcing my views on people.
Nappturality.com plants the seeds. Itâs up to the individual to allow those seeds to grow in their fertile minds or they can pull them out to replant another day, if at all.
How long have you used chemicals to straighten your hair, what were your reasons for straightening and what made you stop doing it? Do you have a defining moment? On boy, do I have to tell? OK â I was a habitual user for over 20 years. Itâs a wonder I have any hair left on my head at all. I straightened because it was the done thing. The school I went to as a child had a dress code that said I had to straighten my hair (in the 60s and 70s it was). My mom used the hot comb on me, then I graduated to the relaxer in high school. I remember trying to rebel in 8th grade and NOT straighten my hair. It almost got me suspended. Such were the 70s.
My defining moment happened about 5 years ago. I had been wearing braids for a long (very long) time while my hair grew after a bad relaxer took it out. When the hairdresser took my braids out and blew it out I noticed how full and fluffy and beautiful my natural hair was. She was ready to slap a relaxer in there but I stopped her.
I wondered why do I feel I have to straighten my hair to be acceptable? What is wrong with my hair the way it is? That led to:
-
âµWhy do I hate my hair?â¶
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âµWhy am I so afraid of my hair?ⶠthen finally and most importantly:
-
âµWhy am I so ashamed of my hair?â¶
All at once I realized I was ashamed. That shocked me – brought me right into reality and started my transition.
Although my hair was natural at the time of this epiphany, my mind wasnât, and it took a long time before I could say I totally accepted and loved my hair. That is the important thing to realize when advising Transitioners, they are still transitioning their minds and need to be treated with gentle words because they donât understand the full picture yet.
How did you transition? Were there tough moments? Moments when you thought âµI canât handle my hair. I am going back to using a relaxer?ⶠWhat kept you motivated, did you have help?
Well, as I already said, I never really physically transitioned my hair. It was in braids and I wasnât even considering not getting a relaxer, when they were removed after I had enough length.
Well, as I already said, I never really physically transitioned my hair. It was in braids and I wasnât even considering not getting a relaxer, when they were removed after I had enough length.
My transition began with my mind, not my hair.
I had plenty of tough moments. In the early day the toughest were seeing all the beautiful women and celebrities on TV with silky straight hair and weaves, while here I was with my âµnappy mopâ¶. There were plenty of times when I felt ugly and inferior to these women. My saving grace always came when I forced myself to not give in to the brainwashing I had been a victim of for so long. I kept repeating to myself that I was âµashamedⶠof my hair.
Admitting shame is a powerful thing and it was my motivator. It was a kind of reverse psychology. I would tell myself how ugly my hair was and how White peopleâs hair was better and I had to straighten it or Iâd be an ugly nappy Black woman and everyone would know I had nappy hair. It made me angry. That worked a charm.
At one stage of desperation I purchased a couple of âµnaturalⶠrelaxer kits. Once I opened one of them and smelled that familiar smell, I realized it was all a lye. There is no such thing as a âµnaturalⶠpermanent hair relaxer. Itâs all chemicals.
Living away from my family, I didnât really have any help or support. I depended on myself to get through it. I think it made me stronger because I had no one to lean on.
What is your happiest nappy memory?
My happiest nappy memory is the first time I went outside with âµnakedⶠhair. That is, an unadorned BAA (big azz afro). That day I really felt like the chains had fallen off.
My happiest nappy memory is the first time I went outside with âµnakedⶠhair. That is, an unadorned BAA (big azz afro). That day I really felt like the chains had fallen off.
What are your favorite products and what is your favorite hairstyle?
I used to be a product junkie, now I am very simple with my hair care. It is so healthy it pretty much takes care of itself without the need for lots of product.
I used to be a product junkie, now I am very simple with my hair care. It is so healthy it pretty much takes care of itself without the need for lots of product.
I love jojoba oil. Itâs my staple. I also use honey and olive oil. I make my own pomade which is made of natural ingredients like olive oil, avocado oil, jojoba oil and vegetable waxes infused with organic herbs. I use that weekly, depending on the weather. Essential oils are a necessary thing too. In particular, lavender, rosemary and sage. I also have been known to use Ylang ylang.
My favorite hairstyle is the pony twists, which you can see in my album. Its easy, lasts and puts no stress on my hairline.I can wrap it up easily, too.
What is your hair regimen? How often do you wash for instance?
I only wash my hair once a week, or a week to ten days, and then only with a herbal/oil infused castile shampoo. (which I make myself). I always condition with a rinse-out. I donât use leave-ins.
I only wash my hair once a week, or a week to ten days, and then only with a herbal/oil infused castile shampoo. (which I make myself). I always condition with a rinse-out. I donât use leave-ins.
I use my honey and olive oil conditioning treatment once a fortnight, or more depending on the weather. I live in a very dry climate and my hair and skin needs protection.
When I work outside I always cover my hair.
How did you come up with the name nappturality?
I felt that my nappy hair had a spirituality all its own. Itâs the earliest hair on the earliest human and that is a powerful thing. Itâs the closest to creationâ SOâ I combined
I felt that my nappy hair had a spirituality all its own. Itâs the earliest hair on the earliest human and that is a powerful thing. Itâs the closest to creationâ SOâ I combined
NAPPY with
NATURAL with
SPIRITUALITY and got
NAPP-TUR-ALITY
Nappturality is just a part time hobby, isnât? What is your real profession? What hairstyles do you wear while working and how do you keep your hairstyles while you have such a busy life.
Nappturality is more than a part time hobby although it started out that way. Itâs now a very important part of my daily life and it takes up a large amount of time. At least 6 hours every day, sometimes more.
In real life I work in the horse industry. (Yes, Iâm a Black cowgirl). I live on a 100 acre farm in the Snowy Mountains (in the Man From Snowy River country) where I keep my horses and other animals.
Most of my work is outdoors and the UVs are extremely high and dangerous up here in the mountains so I always wear my hair in a protective style like a French braid and totally covered with a hat or scarf. I notice that if I donât cover, the damage I receive is noticeable, even after a couple of days. The climate is extreme, dry and harsh so I have to pay extra attention to my skin and hair up here.
Nappturality is more than a part time hobby although it started out that way. Itâs now a very important part of my daily life and it takes up a large amount of time. At least 6 hours every day, sometimes more.
In real life I work in the horse industry. (Yes, Iâm a Black cowgirl). I live on a 100 acre farm in the Snowy Mountains (in the Man From Snowy River country) where I keep my horses and other animals.
Most of my work is outdoors and the UVs are extremely high and dangerous up here in the mountains so I always wear my hair in a protective style like a French braid and totally covered with a hat or scarf. I notice that if I donât cover, the damage I receive is noticeable, even after a couple of days. The climate is extreme, dry and harsh so I have to pay extra attention to my skin and hair up here.
Do you have time for other hobbies?
In a word? No. J Seriously, I do have a garden which I love getting into. Whenever I get stressed out I go out there and pull a few weeds or plant some seedlings. I grow vegetables and itâs a great thing to be able to grow your own food. Nothing tastes as good as a home grown salad. I love the simplicity of living in a beautiful environment and I love the challenges it brings.
In a word? No. J Seriously, I do have a garden which I love getting into. Whenever I get stressed out I go out there and pull a few weeds or plant some seedlings. I grow vegetables and itâs a great thing to be able to grow your own food. Nothing tastes as good as a home grown salad. I love the simplicity of living in a beautiful environment and I love the challenges it brings.
Other natural hair sites and boards have come and gone and although there were some, hmm can I say difficult times, np survived. What is your secret? What makes np special and what keeps the site going?
Yes, Iâm very aware of the trend with natural hair websites. They either disappear one day without explanation, implode from infighting or the web owner deliberately keeps her audience small in order to be able to afford it time-wise or financially.
With Nappturality, I did not start with any grand vision to save the world from the relaxer. LOL. It was intended to be a simple portal to other Black hair websites. But what I didnât realize is that there werenât really any other Black hair websites people wanted to visit on a regular basis. So they asked for more, like a message board they could join. I gave members place to upload their own photos and they made Nappturality their home. It grew from there. When all these elements came together it just âµclickedâ¶.
Yes, Iâm very aware of the trend with natural hair websites. They either disappear one day without explanation, implode from infighting or the web owner deliberately keeps her audience small in order to be able to afford it time-wise or financially.
With Nappturality, I did not start with any grand vision to save the world from the relaxer. LOL. It was intended to be a simple portal to other Black hair websites. But what I didnât realize is that there werenât really any other Black hair websites people wanted to visit on a regular basis. So they asked for more, like a message board they could join. I gave members place to upload their own photos and they made Nappturality their home. It grew from there. When all these elements came together it just âµclickedâ¶.
I also become involved in activism, and the website will occasionally get regional or national coverage because of some issue I have taken up regarding natural hair. Nappturality gets a lot of press when these issues are at the fore.
Nappturality is really a member-driven website. I keep it very interactive, welcoming and friendly. I also try to upgrade things and have a monthly interest ~ the Napptural of the Month. The website is heavily moderated. I get criticized for this sometimes by the more vocal members of the website, but tight moderation is a necessary element when you have so many members, so many boards and so much interactivity. I try to achieve a balance.
But of course there have been some hard times. Personality clashes and such on the board, but these things are to be expected from a website of this size. I have surprisingly few problems, though. In general we have a well-behaved community. The test of a website is how it handles these situations when they arise. I think weâve all done pretty well.
NP has been through many changes and itâs still going on as the site is still growing. Where do you intend to go from here? What is or what will be the goal of np? What can we expect?
It is not easy to answer this question at the moment. Nappturality has a big future. Iâm aware of that and making plans for it. My original goal has not changed. It is to inform and enlighten as many Black women as I can about the beauty of their natural hair and to stop them using caustic, damaging chemicals on their heads in order to conform to a Eurocentric standard of beauty when we have our OWN beauty to aspire to.
It is not easy to answer this question at the moment. Nappturality has a big future. Iâm aware of that and making plans for it. My original goal has not changed. It is to inform and enlighten as many Black women as I can about the beauty of their natural hair and to stop them using caustic, damaging chemicals on their heads in order to conform to a Eurocentric standard of beauty when we have our OWN beauty to aspire to.
I have been working in the background on some software upgrades. We are also upgrading our server. Those who have been with me for years know how many upgrades I have done. Usually 3 or 4 per year. The next upgrade will be the biggest one yet.
I will be able to offer members voluntary subscription which will allow them to be able to host their own websites on Nappturality, including blog, journal and photo albums. I will soon be having more celebrity interviews for Premium Members and other little surprises.
The forum will be improved, too.
The area for articles will be more interactive, allowing members to upload their own articles to the website in a more efficient manner.
All this takes time and money. To help with the money part I will be offering advertising space to selected companies.
What was it like to write the foreword for my book and what do you think of the final result?
It was great! I was honored to be asked. I am sure that your book will be a staple in many womenâs bookshelves. It is comprehensive and full of honest, practical information. It is wonderful that you put so many pictures in there because we need to SEE how to do things with our hair.
It was great! I was honored to be asked. I am sure that your book will be a staple in many womenâs bookshelves. It is comprehensive and full of honest, practical information. It is wonderful that you put so many pictures in there because we need to SEE how to do things with our hair.
I recommend your book to anyone starting out on their journeys and even those who have been on the trip for a while and would like some fresh information and styling tips!
And your final word?
Sisters, your hair is beautiful. Nappy, Napptural, kinky, coily, zig zaggy, wavy hair is beautiful. Itâs a gift from our ancestors. Itâs yours and its unique. Celebrate it, and you will find that freedom you never knew you were missing.
Sisters, your hair is beautiful. Nappy, Napptural, kinky, coily, zig zaggy, wavy hair is beautiful. Itâs a gift from our ancestors. Itâs yours and its unique. Celebrate it, and you will find that freedom you never knew you were missing.
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 05 June 2005 )
