When I first begin to ponder becoming natural, I did not intend to wear my hair in its natural state. Growing up my hair was always thick and long. My memories of my hair were spending countless hours detangling and styling my massive locs. Back in the 90’s there weren’t many people around that knew how to care for natural hair. I remember the look of stylists upon first meeting them. The look of shock and the gasp that they would have on their face – the look of disgust that they would have to style this huge fro on this little black girl.
But for some reason that didn’t bother me. I enjoyed my hair even at a young age. I loved my hair. I just didn’t like the combing – I use to be very tender headed but quickly got over that with the mis-styling from my numerous hair braiders. My hair is very coily, like my mother’s, and some people thought that starting at the root to comb it was the best way to tackle it. I would go home with a beautiful style but a sore head. My mother seemed to be the only one that knew how to care for my hair – because it was her hair on my head. She had her own bouts with her natural hair. She has relaxed two times only to come back to her coily hair.
Looking back I realized I only relaxed because I didn’t know how to enjoy my hair once I was older. So for those that say it’s self hate – IT’S NOT SELF HATE!! High school was upon me and I wanted a more grown-up style. I tried wearing bangs because I had a phobia over my forehead and the humidity would send them running right back up to my scalp. So I relaxed to end my war with humidity.
So now, I’m here. I’ve had my fun with my relaxer and I’ve had my fights with my relaxer. After experiencing so much breakage and dry hair, I decided to go back to plan A. My natural hair never did me wrong and it was much healthier than my current situation. Plus all my thick hair was gone. So I planned on flat iron my hair – a ton of my friends currently do this now. Will I wear my hair straight once I’m natural – occasionally yes. But since entering the natural world, and learning about all the styles and products. I only wish that in 2000 I had the knowledge I have now then. I am glad to say I’m embracing my curls. I’m embracing me, and my heritage – past, present, and future.
1 comment:
Im so excited for you :-) I too know what its like to have thick hair and stylists being afraid to tackle it. I remember getting my first press when I was seven because my mom had enough of that hair lol. Sometimes I get a little tired of my hair at the moment and think about pressing it although strangely my natural hair wants to be thick straight and I want it curly. It takes alot of time and effort to keep up with this hair but it is well worth in the end. I will never go back to creamy crack!
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