What is this new surge of self love, bonding, and love affair with our hair? I don't know but I like it! We as African-Americans and those of African-American descent have been through a lot as it relates to beauty and image. I'm not even going to touch on back in the day (i.e. slave days), we don't need to revisit that do we? If I had a dollar for every time someone preached about how we were divided by the house slaves versus the field negro...I probably wouldn't have some debt right about now.I also shouldn't have to fast forward into time to visit how the media portrays us...we all know. Don't let me start in on BET, or the entertainment industry in general. So it should come as no surprise that black women all over the world are starting to embrace themselves; the true beauty that they see in the mirror. Many women are throwing those damn wigs (yes, lace front ones too), weaves, chemical processing, etc., into the damn closet, or trash bin.
Lets take Sisterlocs for example... there are all types of support groups, meet ups, and such dedicated to women who wear this beautiful hairstyle. Women travel from all over to dance, sing, socialize, network, and support each other. I love this idea!
With that being said, let us not start new division! Let us embrace one another without prejudice. We are not better than the other simply by what makes us different. Hair? Please, not that. We have been divided for too long by skin tone, size, class, etc. So if we start to divide ourselves because of hair? Well, I'll just be through. We are all beautiful! It does not matter if the locs are thick, skinny, short, thin, long, whatever. We have to be bigger than external vanities.
I just want to say, if you are loc'd and loving it, no matter be it sisterlocs, traditional locs, braidlocs, whatever; please be kind to all of our sisters. Even those who aren't locd, or natural. Everyone won't embrace their natural selves. Remember, in order to be natural it takes high self esteem, and courage. It takes a lot to turn our backs on what we have been taught about the definition of what beauty is. It takes quite a bit to be able to stay true to ourselves.
Although you are a Queen, and well on your way to total self acceptance and happiness don't dare look your nose down on our sisters who are not there yet; or who aren't the least bit interested in taking that step. Please don't ever become a Natural Hair Nazi!We don't want to alienate anyone, look down on them, or belittle them. We only want to lead by example. That's what true Queens do!
Until next time, I love ya, and Happy Locing!
4 comments:
This is beautiful! And you are so right. I am glad that more African American women are embracing their natural hair. Some of us will never take that leap and that's okay....I've learned not to judge. At the end of the day we are all worthy of greatness and are beautiful Queens.
....and even those of us that don't ACT like that. ;)
AMEN!!!! Enough said!!!!
"It takes a lot to turn our backs on what we have been taught about what beauty is. It takes quite a bit to be able to stay true to ourselves."
This hit it on the nail for me.
I think I finally got this blog thing right! Anyway, Beautiful picture of some beautiful sisters, who wouldnt want to belong to or identify with a family of beauty such as this!! Glad I do!
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