There are some things that I just have to get off my chest!
To say that racism is a blight on American society isn't strong enough. It's like a festering, genital wart. (Not that I have ever seen one. I'm just using my imagination.) It's disgusting and shameful. It's painful and has already left too many scars. It should be obliterated. If you have it (racism, that is) you should really get yourself checked out by a professional. #mentalhygiene
Cheering for Cheerios!
Showing posts with label children. Show all posts
Showing posts with label children. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Little Afro Annie
Yesterday, I tried a new look. I'm not fully committed to it (as if you couldn't tell from the photos).
Since I haven't mustered up the courage for the big chop, I'm still looking for styles I can pull off during my transition. I trusted a new stylist, who recommended a tight roller set. You know the bendy rods that look like something children would play with? She used the smallest ones I think I've ever seen.
It's been years since I subjected myself to a roller set, mostly because of how long it would take to dry my hair. Yesterday, I sat under the dryer for more than 90 minutes, and there were still sections of my hair that didn't dry completely. The rods were wrapped tight and it was painful.
As a result, I have the tightest curls I've every had in my life. The stylist assured me the curls would loosen over time. "You could wear these for three weeks," she said. If that's how long it takes for these curls to not look like little Afro Annie, then I've definitely made a mistake. 
My children greeted my with laughter. My oldest daughter said, "You look like Claudia (the youngest.)"
I'll post photos over the next few days to share how well these curls loosen with time. I have my doubts!
Since I haven't mustered up the courage for the big chop, I'm still looking for styles I can pull off during my transition. I trusted a new stylist, who recommended a tight roller set. You know the bendy rods that look like something children would play with? She used the smallest ones I think I've ever seen.
It's been years since I subjected myself to a roller set, mostly because of how long it would take to dry my hair. Yesterday, I sat under the dryer for more than 90 minutes, and there were still sections of my hair that didn't dry completely. The rods were wrapped tight and it was painful.
As a result, I have the tightest curls I've every had in my life. The stylist assured me the curls would loosen over time. "You could wear these for three weeks," she said. If that's how long it takes for these curls to not look like little Afro Annie, then I've definitely made a mistake. My children greeted my with laughter. My oldest daughter said, "You look like Claudia (the youngest.)"
I'll post photos over the next few days to share how well these curls loosen with time. I have my doubts!
Sunday, July 3, 2011
My Hair is My Legacy
Somewhere in an earlier post (as if I've written so many), I shared that, for me, the journey to natural hair was also a journey of self-acceptance. Learning to live with and love my natural beauty can't happen without it. 
I won't contradict myself with this post, but I have to admit there are more important reasons I'm on this journey: three more important reasons, actually. These three reasons are learning the most important lessons in life right now. They're my daughters. Three little ladies. These little ladies with their curls. It's a parent's job to instill their children with confidence and a sense of pride. One day, I realized what I hypocrite I'd been, telling my daughters to be proud of their curls. All the while, I was having my hair straightened.
If you’re a parent you know children watch everything you say and see everything you do. It wasn’t the legacy I would want to leave with my children. The day I realized that I was lying to my daughters was the day I realized that I had to do things differently.
After I committed to this journey, my husband admitted to my that the girls all thought I had naturally straight hair.
"Hee haw!" That's the sound of the jackass I felt I'd been all these years! A royal jackass for lying to my daughters.
My eight year-old is still waiting for the day that I have curls that are as long and thick as hers. It will take some time, but I'm anticipating the day when I can be an example for my daughters.
I won't contradict myself with this post, but I have to admit there are more important reasons I'm on this journey: three more important reasons, actually. These three reasons are learning the most important lessons in life right now. They're my daughters. Three little ladies. These little ladies with their curls. It's a parent's job to instill their children with confidence and a sense of pride. One day, I realized what I hypocrite I'd been, telling my daughters to be proud of their curls. All the while, I was having my hair straightened.
If you’re a parent you know children watch everything you say and see everything you do. It wasn’t the legacy I would want to leave with my children. The day I realized that I was lying to my daughters was the day I realized that I had to do things differently.
After I committed to this journey, my husband admitted to my that the girls all thought I had naturally straight hair.
"Hee haw!" That's the sound of the jackass I felt I'd been all these years! A royal jackass for lying to my daughters.
My eight year-old is still waiting for the day that I have curls that are as long and thick as hers. It will take some time, but I'm anticipating the day when I can be an example for my daughters.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)