I've been natural for about 9 years but I finally decided to Loc in 2004. It was difficult for me at first because I was so sensitive to what my family and close friends thought. My mom and sister was hairstylist so they really dogged me out when I told them about going natural. I was told that I would look like a boy, look gay, not feminine enough. So I inhaled those words and it held me hostage for a couple of years. I wore my hair in a bun for like 2 years straight until my hair started thin'n out in the center where the hair piece was...i was like, "no way hose"
What gave me the courage to stop worrying about what others thought of my appearance and go for what I wanted was a statement my grandmother made to me.
One day I stopped by her house to pick up something before I was to head to church. She was like, "where are you going," I'm like to church. She then said, you are always in church, in a mocking tone,(now just a couple of years early she was on my case about going to the clubs 24/7). As I was driving, I thought to myself…I be dayum if I do, be dayum if I don't. I'm trying to live right and do right and I still get persecuted. That very day, I made up in my mind that I would do what was best for me. What made me happy; I was getting my locs…
On October of 2004, I got my locs…now I did go through that ugly stage but it definitely built up my confidence as a woman. I have no regrets and it just liberated me mind, body and soul. For those of you who are worried about what others may think or say, I say to you, it's your life, it's your hair and at the end of the day, you are the only one who has to be happy!!!
You sister with naps,
Tamara J
I think locs are absolutely beautiful!! I was sooooooo close to locing my hair once. I still might do it one day...until then, I'm just getting used to loving my natural hair.
ReplyDeleteLovely story!
ReplyDeleteI always wonder why people say locs go through an ugly phase...I have had locs for about 4 years but I never thought my locs had an ugly phase....nonetheless your locs are beautiful and I'm glad you got the courage to go for it!
ReplyDeleteI always wonder why people say locs go through an ugly phase...I have had locs for about 4 years but I never thought my locs had an ugly phase....nonetheless your locs are beautiful and I'm glad you got the courage to go for it!
ReplyDeleteQuelle, revisit my 2004 picture!! lol.
ReplyDeleteWell, i was so use to dressing myself up with weave and other extensions and I begin to associate my beauty with that. so when i went thru my natural state i realize I couldn't hide anymore, that was he real me, i was like...oooh weee mayan!! I had to appreciate my beauty without all the additives. So when i say "ugly", i'm really saying, i'm withdrawing my perception of beauty from what sociality says is beautiful. I'm learning to love me in the raw...the natural...the true me. i hope that made sense.
Lol you totally makes sense...I love that natural hair makes us reevaluate our perceptions of beauty!
ReplyDeletebeautifully.conjured.up:
ReplyDeleteit took me a couple of years to finally decide to loc my hair. I was like, what if I don't like it.
then finally one day I just got tired of the maintence of natural hair. twisting it. the afro, all that stuff. because I'm really lazy and I hate doing my hair. I said, what the hell, if I don't like them I can just cut them off. so I did it. I have no regrets…I love them. and believe it or not, you can do so much with locs.
t
Quelle,
ReplyDeletenot only my perception on life but spiritually as well. girl i can write a book on perception alone. It's powerful how a thing like "hair" can change your whole way of thinking...for the good!!!! :)
Indeed! I can definitely testify to that!
ReplyDeleteIts funny how much our stories sound alike, but I definately understand what you were feeling prior to your big chop. The only regret that I have about mine is that I didn't do it sooner. & your stage in 2004 was far beyond ugly, it looked good to me. Congratulations on your years of success with becoming natural...your hair is beautiful & so are you!
ReplyDeletehey loved the comments , I am 1 year into my locs and yeah i thought the same .i wish i had done it sooner and i love hair so much more . Im okay with being me , i like what God made me. i would encourage every woman of color to not be a slave to their hair , and what society and others think of them .
ReplyDeleten
good for you. I love my locks. I cut my hair after 8 years, wore cornrows after it grew in than locked again. after you lock no going back to perms. you were a cute child. nice pictures. love and peace
ReplyDeleteYears ago when I had perm in my hair, I never felt good about my like the way I am today with my natural hair(loc). It was one of the best decisions I ever made apart from choosing my husband. Everyday I wake up I thank God for my natural hair.
ReplyDeleteLET US CELEBRATE OUR NATURAL HAIR FROM NOW ON.