I Love My Natural Hair. Why Would Anyone Assume I Don’t?

Afew years back, I was going through Whole Foods, using my hair in a large curly wash-and-go design. I dropped in the coffee aisle beside a kind white female that was most likely a few years older than me. She checked out me as well as grinned, and so I recalled at her and also smiled! What occurred next, although seemingly insignificant, will certainly be burned in my memory, most likely for the rest of my life.

The lady looked at me and claimed, \”I like your hair!\” to which I responded, \”Thank you!\” After that she stated, \”I know you most likely dislike it, do not you? But I believe it\’s remarkable.\”

I really did not recognize what to state! I have actually always been one to just go with the flow, so I promptly as well as awkwardly responded, \”Aw- exactly how would certainly you recognize!? Thank you, you\’re so nice!\” She checked out me lovingly, gripped my hand in uniformity and also left.

The exchange took me a minute to procedure. The lady had actually been very kind and also caring enough to pay a complete stranger a compliment, and also she was certainly very aware of the old preconceptions attached to hair appearance. She truly was being nice, so why did I feel so unclear?

I quickly recognized that in those quick seconds of compliancy, I had downplayed all of the interior development I had actually undergone, to get me to a place of gratitude for my natural hair structure. I didn\’t dislike my all-natural hair, I loved every little thing about my natural hair! So why worldwide didn\’t I share that proudly when asked?

I was mad at myself that I would certainly missed out on a golden possibility to state my unapologetic love for my natural hair! I wished to run through the aisles and discover her to ensure that I might deal with that outdated misunderstanding. I wished to grasp my coffee grinds in my hands as well as price quote the Sesame Street tune at the top of my lungs, \”I enjoy my haaair! I like my haaair!\” But I missed my chance, and for that, I really felt horrible.

In that moment, I promised to never once more reduce my viewpoints on my hair, also for something as seemingly unimportant as small talk in a grocery store. Something that felt like such a simple point to do, agreeing with the woman as well as proceeding, wound up taking a huge sufficient toll on me that I still remember it to this day.

I know that kind female suggested well, and also I\’m really appreciative as well as appreciative for the praise. But I allowed her walk away thinking that I needed to hear it to love myself when that had not been the instance at all. I do not want or require approval from anybody to make me really feel great concerning my hair; I already feel good about my hair. For many of us, those old days of despising our hair are long gone, as well as I would\’ve loved to update the woman of her understanding on the matter.

So I won\’t allow this opportunity escape. What I want every person to understand about natural hair is that many females with all-natural hair no more care if the world understands. It does not stop us from using our natural hair, it does not make us feel less concerning ourselves that mass media doesn\’t comprehend it, as well as it certainly won\’t alter our opinions of it.

I do not feel the requirement to head out of my method to make individuals recognize the \”why\” of natural hair because, comprehend it or otherwise, it\’s right here as well as it exists without your approval. Those days of hoping to belong, or longing to get approval from those that belong-are over.

In that moment, I vowed to never again suppress my viewpoints on my hair, even for something as seemingly trivial as small talk in a grocery store. Something that seemed like such an unassuming thing to do, agreeing with the woman and moving on, ended up taking a big enough toll on me that I still remember it to this day.

I know that kind woman meant well, and I\’m very thankful and grateful for the compliment. But I let her walk away thinking that I needed to hear it to love myself when that wasn\’t the case at all. I do not want or need approval from anyone to make me feel good about my hair; I already feel good about my hair. For many of us, those old days of hating our hair are long gone, and I would\’ve loved to update the woman of her understanding on the matter.

So I won\’t let this chance slip away. What I want everyone to know about natural hair is that most women with natural hair no longer care if the world understands. It doesn\’t stop us from wearing our natural hair, it doesn\’t make us feel less about ourselves that mass media doesn\’t understand it, and it certainly won\’t change our opinions of it.

I don\’t feel the need to go out of my way to make people understand the \”why\” of natural hair because, understand it or not, it\’s here and it exists without your approval. Those days of longing to belong, or longing to receive approval from those who belong–are over.