The black hair journey begins well before Europeans even knew that the continent of Africa even existed. Before our African ancestors, encountered their European neighbors, hair was a symbol of their wealth and beauty. It was like a creative rite of passage. Our hair has
always, since the beginning of time been a tool of artistic expression.
As our ancestors encountered Europeans more often, our hair began to lose its focus. We began adapting to a culture that stifled our creativity. Leaving us with plain, identical hair that is more “blah”, than anything other culture. We, the new leaders of this so-called free world, have dealt with this unconscious ingraining of our natural hair being inappropriate.
I can recall the 5th year of my life when my mother put in my very first relaxer. Let me just say, what we have all been taught is beauty is in actuality torture. Ever since that day, I have dealt with immense amounts of damage, split ends, slow growth and even major hair loss. As I think back on the part of our African culture and what we were capable of, leaves me wondering, why?
Why did we abandon the beauty that made us unique to dwell in a substandard that we were never meant to fit into in the place. Why is that we, not only black women, go so far to change our outward appearance in the hope that we also change the way we feel about ourselves. Something that I want all women to consider is:
“What is it about us that we are unable to truly love the way we were created in the first place?”
“Why are we the main ones trying to change our outwards to create a false sense of security and love for self?”
I would love to read your thoughts on these 2 questions.
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