NATURALLY BRIT
"Oh my goodness, your hair is so cute, did you cut it?" or "You have some really fun hair!" Oh how interesting it is to be a black woman wearing her natural hair. Look how far we have come. But, look how far we still have left to go. Let me tell y'all something, it is hard enough to find love for yourself, as a woman in a world where they think its only one type of beauty, but, to be not only a woman, but a black woman? Tuh! You got to dig deep because they aren't serving those compliments up on a silver platter to us. Well, somebody was serving something up on a platter to us because where did we get these hips, lips, and thighs from girl? Fellas, don't leave, I think y'all can enjoy this post too. Don't you want to get in touch with your feminine side? Don't cry though. Man tears make me awkward.
Now if you were a little black kid in the 90`s or you were just a kid that paid attention to commercials, you remember the hair product called "Just for Me". It was basically a kid friendly perm for black girls. For those of you who don't know, perms straighten the hair, stripping it of it`s natural texture. This was a routine that I followed about every 3 weeks up until the age of 16. The perms really started to damage my hair over time. I watched my mother change her hair from style to style for years, but this particular time, she cut it all off, and I fell in love with it. There were no chemicals or mandatory salon appointments, just a get up and go style. Just kidding, y'all know she at least had to throw some oil in her scalp and comb it too. But it was very low maintenance.
Well, I decided to do the exact same thing. I cut off my hair and started my journey as a natural sista in 2005. When I first got it cut, I LOVED it, but let me tell y'all one thing, the second day after getting it cut, I woke up, looked in the mirror and cried my little eyes out. "I`m bald! What have I done!" I was so self conscious. I knew I had made the healthiest choice for my hair, but I was so afraid of what the rest of the world would think of me. I guess I had that fear for a reason. Look, natural was NOT "in" during this time. You couldn't get on social media and find pages designed for celebrating black hair, you couldn't YouTube how to do a Bantu knot out, and you damn sure couldn't go to a party and see a bunch of black women with Afros sharing hair care tips, okay? I remember being at school, there were these two guys in my class who made it a point, everyday, to make AWFUL comments about my hair, "That shit ugly" "Why would you do that to your head" "You look like a dude with that hair cut" and so on. Well, fast forward 5 years after high school, one of those brothas is asking for my number at a gas station. I wish y'all could have seen his face when he realized who he was talking to. Hell, I probably should have given it to him. Could have been using that fool right now to pay this car note.
Well, my hair grew a lot since then and so have the questions about it. So lets clear this up. When my hair is in tight curls, no, I did not cut it. That's called shrinkage. No, it did not grow over night, I just got it braided. NO dread locs are NOT unprofessional. Last but CERTAINLY not least, NO, it is NOT inappropriate for work. However, your discriminatory attitude toward the black culture is. If you, my Caucasian American co-worker, supervisor, Human Resources person, are allowed to wear your hair in its natural straight, wavy, or curly state, then I will proceed to wear mine in its kinky, curly state as well. I will NOT straighten it for an interview. Take me as I am. Which is of course, ALWAYS well put together and polished just as many other black women wearing their natural hair. I will switch it up whenever and however I feel like it but hear me when I say that it will NOT be on you or anyone else's terms. Unless you my man and you request a certain hairstyle that you're going to pay for. I might just sit in somebody chair for you. You sexy beast.
Isn't that one of the beauties of being a woman? Being able to switch it up from time to time. Especially as black women. Our hair is so versatile. Afros, Bantu knots, twists, twist outs, Afro puffs, finger coils, ponytails, blow outs, sew-ins, Marley twists, box braids, dread locs, braid outs, cornrows, flat twists, etc. The list goes on and on and on. What a beautiful variety. If you're natural, don't feel ashamed for giving yourself a break and putting in some extensions or flat ironing the hair for a new look. Girl, you can be 10 different women in the same week. Have fun! But please, please, please sista, don't let ANYBODY shame you away from wearing your natural hair and embracing the beauty that was naturally given to you. Guys, if your lady is wearing her hair natural, encourage that. We love when you like us just the way we are. Don`t trip, we will still switch it up for you. Shoot, wear your Afro brotha, I like locs too.
I know its a lot of work. Just a couple of weeks ago, as I was preparing to travel out of town, I was trying to figure out a cute, low maintenance style for my hair. I didn't want the responsibilities of having to style my hair everyday and packing a bunch of different hair products. So I chose my style and reduced my products down to two bottles. I called myself packing light so I threw everything in my carry-on luggage. I made it through security check but my suit case didn't. Do y'all know they went into my bag and threw my hair product away!?! They said the bottle was too big. I almost cried in that man`s arms. Natural hair products are NOT cheap! They owe me $7.99.
Look, I am willing to answer all of the questions that you may have about black hair. I am not afraid to enlighten you. I will walk you through an entire tutorial of a typical day in the life of me and my Afro. I might even fix you some tea if you come over. Bring some lemons tho, I ain't been to the grocery store this week.
-BRIT
