I am NOT my hair... India Arie said this well in her song...
There is definitely no hostility or anger when I say this just pride because that is how I feel right now. Two weeks ago I cut my hair. In the back--the front is just about the way it was before and as a consequence for the style I wanted, there will not be curls for a little while.
It was a decision I made just because it felt like it was the right time to do so. I love/ed my curly thick hair and now I am even more happy to have cut it all off and now thinking and hoping I'll be able to have my curliness back again.
I've looked through a few websites about black hair... searched and pried for what I could find to make me not seem like I was totally crazy for doing this in the first place. Maybe to others it might not seem like such a big deal but believe me it can be. I remember Granny (my g-ma) tugging and pulling and braiding and moisturizing my hair when I was younger. Man was I a fool to even start perming it. But when I did I learned and since then I've been trying to get back the years I lost by taking care of it more especially this semester with very very little straightening.
When I feel like I have made any sort of progress--finally figuring out how to wear my hair curly and make it look good with the right products--I cut it off. I was tired of it not that I will not have any less work to do to keep this style up. But I figured it was indeed time...to try something new. So I did and I love it.
So what does this have to do with Puerto Rico besides the fact that I cut my hair here?? My experience here has made me relax about having the kind of hair that I have. I've realized how beautiful a person can be besides what they wear on their head or on their body. It is not about that at all... really it's not. But taking pride in yourself without all of the pressures from others is the gold. Do what you want--switch it and change it up because if you are comfortable and happy with it anyone else's opinion won't matter.
So when people look at me weird with my hair cut I'll just keep telling myself that I am not my hair--because hair does not make who you are it only adds to who you are. Hair grows with good care and until then I will enjoy the freedom of short locks.
