To and Fro' is about my on and off again natural hair journey.
Being natural meant that I was embracing my identity as an African American woman. In 2007, I was studying undergrad at the University of Central Florida taking courses on African American Studies and Feminism. My new found knowledge led to taking the big chop - cutting all my perm hair and going natural. Throughout high school, the only concept of slavery I learned was a white and black concept. It wasn't until I was in a African American Studies college course that I learned that African tribes were selling each other into slavery. I was angry and shocked. My poetry reflected the feelings I was going through at that time.
Excerpt from my poem titled "Jihadist":
"No longer do I wear the veil
or the invisible cloak.
The shadow of double consciousness
doesn’t accompany me. I uprooted myself,
tended to the fields, and planted seeds in afrocentricity."
I am somewhat of a feminist. Feminism was another reason why I decided to go natural. Bell Hooks is my favorite feminist. I was actually trying to join a sorority in search of sisterhood and unity. However, I learned that I didn't need to join any group in order to support other women. Besides the whole application process was a competition among applicants.
In Feminist Theories Hooks' states "When women come together, rather than pretend union, we would acknowledge that we are divided and must develop strategies to overcome fears, prejudices, resentments and competitiveness."
I was natural for a year before I decided to get a perm again. I had my hair stylist comb out my afro' and I didn't like what I saw in the mirror! My afro' was as tall as Don King's afro'. Not to mention I didn't comb my afro' that first year at all. (Don't judge me!) By this time, hair was just hair.
October 2010, I decided to go natural again. This time around, I combed my hair and actually styled it too. I've educated myself via YouTube videos on natural hair styles. I actively ask women, who are natural for advice on products and hair styles. Sometimes I think about going back to perms. Then I think about all the compliments I get on my afro'. I feel good when I see another African American woman with natural hair. She's embracing her identity.
This weekend, an African American man asked me how long I've been natural. I informed him this was my second time and second year being natural. He responded, "I wish more women would do that."
Me too.
Being natural meant that I was embracing my identity as an African American woman. In 2007, I was studying undergrad at the University of Central Florida taking courses on African American Studies and Feminism. My new found knowledge led to taking the big chop - cutting all my perm hair and going natural. Throughout high school, the only concept of slavery I learned was a white and black concept. It wasn't until I was in a African American Studies college course that I learned that African tribes were selling each other into slavery. I was angry and shocked. My poetry reflected the feelings I was going through at that time.
Excerpt from my poem titled "Jihadist":
"No longer do I wear the veil
or the invisible cloak.
The shadow of double consciousness
doesn’t accompany me. I uprooted myself,
tended to the fields, and planted seeds in afrocentricity."
I am somewhat of a feminist. Feminism was another reason why I decided to go natural. Bell Hooks is my favorite feminist. I was actually trying to join a sorority in search of sisterhood and unity. However, I learned that I didn't need to join any group in order to support other women. Besides the whole application process was a competition among applicants.
In Feminist Theories Hooks' states "When women come together, rather than pretend union, we would acknowledge that we are divided and must develop strategies to overcome fears, prejudices, resentments and competitiveness."
I was natural for a year before I decided to get a perm again. I had my hair stylist comb out my afro' and I didn't like what I saw in the mirror! My afro' was as tall as Don King's afro'. Not to mention I didn't comb my afro' that first year at all. (Don't judge me!) By this time, hair was just hair.
October 2010, I decided to go natural again. This time around, I combed my hair and actually styled it too. I've educated myself via YouTube videos on natural hair styles. I actively ask women, who are natural for advice on products and hair styles. Sometimes I think about going back to perms. Then I think about all the compliments I get on my afro'. I feel good when I see another African American woman with natural hair. She's embracing her identity.
This weekend, an African American man asked me how long I've been natural. I informed him this was my second time and second year being natural. He responded, "I wish more women would do that."
Me too.
