Black Hair Stories are stories of Black women and how their hair journey has shaped them. For Black Girls Who Have A Lot to Say is invested in sharing our stories, for us...by us. We will roll out more pics and quotes on our Instagram, so make sure to follow and share.
The relationship between Black women and our hair goes way back. We can think of all the different styles and ways that we wear our hair. Using our hair as a means of survival and tradition. Hair is political, as fuck. So often, I see conversations about Black women feeling pressured or explicitly told to straighten their hair for corporate jobs or to not wear braids, color, or any other things that are accepted for other women.
More and more we are having conversations around texturism, which is discrimination or bias, based on the texture of your hair. Read more in this article. Looser curls and wavier hair is more accepted than kinky or tighter curls. Why is this?
A few months ago, I read the story of a Black woman who had surgery and when she woke up, her hair was braided! Talk about love. What have been some of your experiences with natural hair? Share them with us on our Instagram or share your stories with us via email!
My hair isn’t just an object that sits on top of my head. My hair defines my journey of self-love and acceptance. Growing up there were often images displaying straight hair. Whether it was in hair books that were in the salon, images on TV to magazine covers. I always had thick and curly fro but I wouldn’t see much of it unless I peeked in the mirror while getting my hair blow-dried at the hair salon.
When I was in high school I felt the pressures of having to have my hair pressed or as we will say now “straightened”. Each time that flat iron and pressing comb touched my hair I lost a little bit of myself, my identity every time slowly but surely. When I would wash my hair the curls would not be as defined or noticeable. Becoming a loose wave and eventually not even a wave.
I was over it.
When I was a sophomore in college I had a breakthrough. I was over it. Who was I trying to impress ...others? I went into the kitchen at my apartment and grabbed the scissors and decided to start cutting my hair. I was over it and wanted to start all over. I had damaged my crown and I didn’t want to damage it anymore. Starting all over was such a humbling, yet extraordinarily experience. I found myself falling in love with this new me.
My hair is self-love, my hair is beautiful.
My hair isn’t just an object that sits on top of my head. My hair is me, my hair is bold, my hair doesn’t care what others think is acceptable or “together”. My hair is self-love, my hair is beautiful. My fro is beautiful. My crown is here to stay. Growing one day at a time like myself. Stepping out of norms and embracing the journey ahead.
My hair is self-love.
My hair is beautiful.
My fro is beautiful. My crown is here to stay.
Stay connected with Semaj and her curl lovestory, on her Instagram:
@semxsoul
With lots of Black Hair Love,
