Embracing My Natural Tresses

The year was 1979, the first time I recall waking up every Saturday morning with my nostrils filled
with the smell of hair being straightened.
I was around six years old; I couldn't understand why I was being left out. You see I too wanted
long straight hair that flowed down my back.

It was during this season in my life; I began to become confused about my curly frizzy crown.
"You have good hair, never straighten your hair”, my foster mother said. The term good hair
would follow me everywhere. High School years arrived; I dived head first into the relaxed world.
Finally, I had the straight hair that I longed for. However, I still could not escape the so­called
stigma of good hair.

Adulthood came knocking on my door, by the time I was thirty­seven, I stood in the mirror staring
at my hair thinking, I have done everything to my hair: short haircuts, color, relaxers, texturizers,
weave and still I loathed my hair. I never shared this secret with anyone the agony I often felt
with the stigma of my hair. I decided to cut the chemical out of my hair that day, I had one
thought that led me to the big chop.
"You tried everything else except wearing your natural hair."

After four years of curly hair, I can finally say I no longer have an issue with my tresses. I am still
on this journey of embracing my natural hair. This process helps me feel more fulfilled with each
passing of the day.