"I'd rather see a person with a natural mind and a processed head than a processed mind and a natural head."-Erykah Badu
As of April 26, 2010, I started my journey of being natural. I am one of those Black women whose Mother didn't know what to do with my hair, so she relaxed it when I was 6. Returning to natural hair was liberating because I never rocked it naturally in my teens and young adulthood, and I just knew that the fade would attract different vibes and tribes. I remember being a slave to harsh chemicals and going to the hair salon twice or thrice a month. I was one of those sistahs who planned workout routines, certain events/dates around my hair appointment, and other things around the condition of my hair. To be honest, I was addicted to getting my hair done, and I was known to my friends, family, and others as the ones to have the latest hairstyles. I always felt that hair is hair just like grass is grass; both things grow while receiving proper treatment. I went from having long hair as a child, bobs, long ponytails, wraps, braids, finger waves, winter ash streaks, short hair, and now my fade! Having just about every hairstyle known to mankind except a Jheri Curl, I was not addicted to a certain style but addicted to the relaxers. When 6-8 weeks came around to get my "touch up," I dreaded that visit to my local beautician. Why you may ask, because I either scratched the crap out of my scalp, which was going to cause a chemical burn, sat in the salon all day, and slept awkwardly to preserve that newness of the recent hairstyle.
When I decided to go natural, I thought loooong and hard about this decision. I thought about how I would transition, whether I would let the perm grow out or do the Big Chop. I thought about my personal thoughts, mindset, family, friends, and disposition as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. When I finally decided to do the Big Chop, everyone's thoughts and feelings disappeared except my own. Everyone could have disapproved of my recent transition, but at the end of the day, it was my own hair and my own decision. We are all human beings who seek social belonging; at the end of the day, I had to live with my decision and adjust to my new look. I am thankful for honest and real family and friends! Big Ups to all of you guys.
I noticed as African American women, we are "defined" by our hair. If your hair is relaxed, it seems as if society accepts you more than being natural. When I went to perform the Big Chop, the professional stylist continuously asked me if I was sure about cutting my hair. I looked at him and insisted he proceeds with the Big Chop. He kept telling me that I was "too pretty" and had "pretty hair" for it to be cut all off!
SN: What is pretty hair? Healthy hair or relaxed hair? If people answer relaxed hair, you are wrong for many reasons, that person's hair may look healthy, but it could be a different story, and putting various chemicals in your hair could stunt the hair follicles, which can stunt the hair growth. I thanked the stylist for his compliments and concerns but told him to proceed with the cutting. He also asked me about my man's concerns, in which I felt he was crossing the boundaries of my marriage. After the Big Chop, all of a sudden, I looked "exotic" and "naturally beautiful," according to the stylist. Yeah, yeah, whatever! LOL!
Don't be afraid of rocking your hair in its natural state. Hair is hair. Hair grows back. Your hair is your crown and glory.
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