One of the things I keep reading about going natural is that
it should be chronicled and while I’m halfheartedly accepting this idea there
is one thing about going natural (to date anyway) that really has me
perplexed.
When I mention that I’m considering going natural people are
asking me “why?”, “What made you decided to do that?” It maked me wonder why I
need a reason to go natural. Why do I
need a reason to be me? Why do I have to
justify NOT changing my appearance? Why
do I have to have a “reason” to look the way God intended me to (well minus the
bushy eyebrows and mustache….He and I will talk about that at a later date)?
No one asked me why…..
when I had a china-straight weave going down my back. No one asked me why, when
I dyed my hair “honey blonde”. Not one person asked me why when I had blonde
streaks. Not a one! So based on my experience as long as I’m
doing something unnatural it’s OK….. No explanation needed. But as soon as I “revert” back to something
entirely natural, I need to justify that decision. I need a reason to NOT chemically alter my
appearance. Is this odd to anyone else?
So having put (too much) time into thinking about this why
question here it goes….
1.
40 is a bitch and it does not like my hair being
relaxed. My once soft, flowing hair is
now tough and unwieldy even after a relaxer.
It simply will not do what it always did, it never looks good to me and
it was getting on my nerves
2.
After over 30 years of processing I think my
brain needs a bit of a rest for soaking up sodium hydroxide, ammonium
thioglycolate and ammonium sulfate just to name a few of the chemicals that
have been leaching into my brain.
3.
I’ve always admired and loved the look of natural
hair on black women and frankly have not had the nerve to do it myself. That said I’m 40ish and if not now….when?
4.
Natural hair is far more accepted these days than
it’s ever been (note #3) and there is a TON of information, products and
supportive woman to help you along the journey!
5.
Lastly, I’m ready for something new. I want to look like the person I envision
myself to be. The person I envision
MYSELF to be and she not only has natural hair (dreds) but she also is fit and
strong and sexy and smart and and and
So there you go…. That’s why.
It’s not some antiestablishment, pseudo political fight the
powers that be, statement of the beauty and worth of black woman everywhere.
It’s me doing what I always wanted to do but didn’t have enough
nerve or frankly self-esteem to do when I was younger and I get to save a few
brain cells to boot!!
Any other questions?
