Why I Decided to Stay Natural
- Nike Anderson
- Apr 28, 2016
- 3 min read
Diane sat in her neighboring cubicle and gave my curly tresses a onceover. There was more frizz than curl, but my natural hair looked elegant in a neat low puff with a deep side-part. Diane reached over the wall that separated us and lightly pulled one of my curls, letting it spring back into a spiral. “You doing that natural thing?”
I nodded. Diane placed her hand back into her lap and continued observing my hair from a distance. “I got tired of the weave.” I explained.
She nodded with a tight smile. “Well it looks nice and healthy.” She took a long pause before saying, “I think I might give it a try.”
I tried not to look as excited as I felt. “You should… You might like it.” And with that said, I returned my attention to my work, as I proudly thought about the very first person I inspired to go natural.
"I felt fearful, yet bold; timid, yet confident. Ugly, yet I’ve never felt more beautiful in my life."
It wasn’t the first time I rocked my natural hair, but it was the first time I wore my natural hair to my corporate job. The first time I had to explain to anyone why my hair was "nappy." Ambivalence consumed me, as strong feelings sifted through the filter of my mind. I felt fearful, yet bold; timid, yet confident. Ugly, yet I’ve never felt more beautiful in my life.
There was an array of mixed opinions stemming from my coworkers. Some celebrated my new look, while others assumed I was going through a phase. I, myself, also thought I was going through a phase—a very scary one that pushed me out of my comfort zone, forcing me to analyze my way of thinking with a new sobriety. I hated and loved this journey at the same time. And there were days when I flirted with the idea of perming my hair and returning to my sanctuary of comfort.
But then something happened. Over the years, I’ve seen weaves come off, relaxed ends clipped, and minds being renewed. I’ve received emails, text messages, and phone calls from family and friends declaring the beginning of their natural hair journey. The same people also sought me out for haircare tips and advice, which I gladly shared. And, just like that, my love for natural hair increased.
People constantly reminded me that this natural hair thing was bigger than myself. There were so many people I loved who wanted to embrace their natural texture, so many personal stories about the bondage they felt from poor haircare choices that resulted in damaged hair—forcing them to rely heavily on wigs. To some, it may just be “hair,” but embracing my natural texture opened the door for these types of conversations to happen, producing a deep conviction for black women all around me to take better care of their hair.
"They never thought twice about the restrictions they’ve adopted, the unspoken rule to hide their God-given hair."
Natural hair isn’t the only way. That’s what I love about my hair journey; I’m literally a walking representation of the many styling options women of color have for their beautiful hair. For some women I’ve met, it never occurred to them that they could embrace their natural curls. They never thought twice about the restrictions they’ve adopted, the unspoken rule to hide their God-given hair. Then all of a sudden, we cross paths and they realize they have options; that chemically straightened hair isn’t the only way either. I love these lightbulb moments!
My natural hair journey may have started in undergrad, but the journey to help other women of color learn about, and embrace, their natural hair started with Diane. And it's women like Diane who remind me why this journey is so important.
Suggested post: I Didn't Intend to Go Natural | My Natural Hair Story
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