Hair Story: Why Black Women Don't Swim

Are they serious....that's why most black women wear braids when they go swimming. Its easier to shampoo the chlorine out on a consistent basis.

I dislike negative comments about black women and hair products, beauty standards and other hogwash. I wish someone would hear me when I say: sistas, I love your curls, your fros, your dos, straight or curly. I am a white dude who happens to dislike images of beauty or customs that dis black women. You are amazingly beautiful beings and I can't get enough of you. Please laugh at silly articles and fake stereotypes about beauty that neglect your profundity. Don't change a thing. I live in Hawaii; we have lotsof ocean, and please come over and let's get wet! I'll swim with you! thanks

LOL, guess i'm lucky that my girlfriend is white.

Ok so it sounds like I am the only black girl that does not swim that has commented on this article. I can see where the writer opinion has come from which at some point in time was true but, I don't really agree with it a 100%. I am personally avoiding getting my hair wet because 1) I don't know how to swim so I don't go on the deep end 2) Once the hair was wet when I had a relaxer it was game over. The straighten process is a process which you don't often have time for when your swimming socially with other friends and family at a public place.n3) whats a girl to do once its what are you not at home with all your tools and products? I do applaud all the women that comment that swim. It is on my list to learn next week.

My wife is black, and the only reason she doesnt swim is because she would have to wash, dry, and flat-iron her hair again. Her hair takes several hours to air dry and about 2 hours to flat iron. So ummm, yea. She will gladly get in the water though if she's due to wash her hair that day.

This article is not true, at all; the same as many other articles written about blacks these days.

No matter what your ethnicity is and regardless of your skin or hair color and type, alot of people just dont want to get their hair in water thats bad for any hair type! Some people love to swim and prefer to take care of their hair. Good Grief. I like to swim but hate what it does to my hair, although the salt pools dont seem to make it feel so cruddy, but it still gets poofy and wild (mine).

Whether its real-to-the-roots or bought from a store, despite its color, texture or length, women of all races spend time and money on their hair by CHOICE because our hair enhances (not defines) our beauty! I am a black woman but my white friends envy MY hair. Here's why....during the summer I wear it in its naturally curly state because I'm frequently in the pool...during winter, I use a blow dryer and ceramic iron to keep it sleek and straight....during fall and spring, it simply depends on my mood. I've never worn a weave or a wig, but my hair can change dramatically from day to day both in texture and by extension, in length. I love swimming and I love my curly/straight hair - deal with it!

I have a close friend who works at Essence...I have to let her know tha this article is stupid to the Nth degree...What, was it written back in the 50s?

What a weird article. I've seen black people swim. And anybody, black or white, with dry, or damaged, or over-processed hair can WEAR A SWIM CAP!!!

Come and join us, all you black folk -- come join us pale faces for a great swim, and your hair is fine whatever you do or don't do with it!

Stupid stupid article.

I swim but not often. Because I don't like the concentration of CHLORINE on my skin.

Holy Smokes... how do they come up with their stories? Do they have editors? Maybe they just throw darts at bunch of index cards and that is their topic. Ugh.... ugh, I say.

Chlorine is terrible on any kind of hair as it is a very harsh CHEMICAL! Even though this article was grossly aimed at a very specific demographic, I can sympathize... I am fair-skinned with coarse, dry blond hair. Chlorine wreaks havoc on my skin and breaks my hair. Please, SHINE, join us in the 21st Century where there are tons of hair care products for both BLACK and WHITE women that can cause serious damage. Can't wait to read your next article... maybe something on why all women really do want to be barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen!

It's so reassuring that other people who don't look like me, may even have trouble pronouncing my name can explain what I don't do and get paid for it.
1. My 75 year old aunt explained that she could not attend a family get together recently because she was preparing for Life Guard Exam. 2. Last year, when a women's group met to attend a private pool party at the Newark Y, when asked for the name of the Certified Life Guard who would be present, four women between the ages of 22 and 48 signed in.
3. Maybe Flanagan should have done her homework, better research or checked the schedule at the Y. Maybe she should have actually polled African American women at a local outdoor pool.
4. At what circus event did Essence find these clowns passing themselves off as authorities on the social and sports habits of African American women?
5. Next thing I know, Essence or some other magazine with equally limited knowledge will explain to me and other readers why I don't go to the opera. By the way, 'Aida' is my absolute favorite.

awwwww- now you know how blondes feel- to be generalized into `dumb blondes`- it is not true for blondes as this article is not true for beautiful black women ! !

I'm a black woman and I swim, my daughters swim we are a swiming family.

Solo: Is the name reflective of the number of intelligent thoughts in your head? Or your personal status because you have no friends or loved ones due to your hatefulness. And what is a "mammy swim hat"? Something your own mother wears?

I am a black woman who loves to swim. The article fails to acknowledge the time it takes a black woman to style her hair. So we weight the options. Let's say we're at a pool party, if we get in the pool and swim and we don't have a relaxer here comes the "poof" not a good look at a party. Or if you do have a relaxer and get your hair wet then the style is gone and it takes time to get it back. If we just wet our feet in the pool the hair style in which we arrived would be intact. The easiest of the three. So sometimes we forgo a swim for a hair style.

Whomever wrote this article is an ignorant ASS tryinng to start racial nonsence. If you hear someone generalize that way....don't give them creedence in an article...tell them that they made a racist statement. No one can speak for All black, white, asian women etc. I'm black and grew up with a lovely pool on our property. We also had a cottage at the beach and would go every summer with the goal of getting in the water. Stop generalizing Essence and go take a dip in the pool to clear the cobwebs out of your mind.

ohh ! swim or dont swim...you all stanky even the white folks.they smell the worst.any any asian man should stay away from the pool.They body all jacked up..., mexicans yukk all smell like f--- ing horses & they make the water smell like stables.So if u think u liked to try it try the ocean. the salt water is VERRY GOOD for smelly ass peeps. you dont have to be black anymore!

Caucasian women also have very curly hair... think of celtic redheads, and those with masses and masses of curls regardless of hair color. Not everyone is born with straight hair, unless they are Asian.