So is bohem-hippie but I only bring that out on the weekends. :)
I first went natural I was in college. This was the PERFECT time to be free with my hair. I would rock an enormous fro some days and two strand twists other days. I did the fro-hawk and I would dye it at even given moment. I never thought that my hair wasn't professional. I was able to get business internships and even a management position. I went on several interviews rocking my fro and never thought that I was being judged. I was young then and in my early 20's so this, of course, was appropriate..... [EDIT--did I really type that? Why should my age determine what hairstyles are appropriate? Are fro-hawks inappropriate for 30 and up? Hells no. Can't believe I wrote that. Bad B.]
When I graduated from college, I got serious about being taken seriously. I traded my flip flops for cute sandals. I stopped wearing t-shirts in public and started wearing cute blouses and baby doll tees. I also stopped wearing my hair all wild and settled for nice and neat afro puffs and twists. Ironically enough the only time I felt that my hair was an issue was when I was around "majority Black" settings. Ain't that something?
If at a moment's notice I have to attend a luncheon or meeting, I always HOPE my hair is "neat" enough. That the frizziness isn't as bad. Sometimes I will even re-twist a few locs to ensure that I look professional.
I hate that I have to do this. This is something I will need to get used to because although I'm not sure I'll have locs forever, I know for a fact that I'm not getting a perm ever again. I wish that I felt confident with my natural hair at all times, but I don't. Some times I'll feel dynamic for being the only "nappy head" in the room and other times I feel as if people immediately judge me. It's sad that I feel way and am trying to shake it. But am I the one that needs shaking?
Or do the views of Black women and their natural hair need some shaking?
Hmmm....
Check this vid:
