Journey to Natural
About seven years ago, I embarked on a journey to embrace my natural hair. At first, I just decided to go natural because it’s cheaper than perms. But as I continued my curly-q journey, I learned so much about myself. I learned how to care for my hair and how beautiful and unique it is. I grew in leaps and bounds from the 17 year old girl who was afraid to stand out and embrace her natural beauty. I became a strong empowered woman just by embracing what God gave me.
You think a simple hair change wouldn’t open ones eyes as much as it did. Surprisingly, my natural experience was a soul changing quest to be a woman that embraces her beauty. Since I was young, I thought my coils were inferior. I hated them. All I wanted was to be like the blonde beauties bouncing on my TV screen. In the late 90s I wasn’t exposed to many shows or media that uplifted young black women. All I was exposed to was the white wash TV productions and commercials telling you how to achieve long flowing hair. So naturally, a young 6 year old girl falls into that trap. For years, I hated myself and tried so hard to run from myself. Finally in my junior year of high school, I tried something new.
This leap of faith showed me how amazing my natural is. I learned that my hair isn’t unmanageable or ugly but sexy and exotic. Not only did I learn about my hair but I learned about myself. I embraced my Liberian heritage through my natural journey. I tried new things and went on an amazing soul searching adventure. I’ve come to realize I don’t need the extras and trying to be something I’m not.
Let’s face it, black girls are supernova. Our skin absorbs the sun and our hair defies gravity. Who wouldn’t want to be a black girl? Maybe that’s why they hate us and bring us down. I feel through the natural girl movement that black women everywhere have realized. It is phenomenal. I know it sounds silly, but skipping a few hair appointments can change a woman. It’s true.
Since the times of slavery, the way we wore our hair was dictated to lower our spirits and make us feel less than human. Though this movement, women everywhere are finally realizing we are special and lovely. No one can take our crown away. And that is beauty in its truest and purest form.
