Deprisha, why yo hair like mine?
I thought that was the funniest thing that one of the little cuties at my job asked me the other day. She has locs. I was wearing a braid out that day. She had the biggest grin on her face when she asked.
Later on that day she randomly came over and whispered, “I like yo hair like mine.”
That totally made my day. It was such a stark contrast from when my Godnephew asked me “What’s wrong with your hair?” Then suggested I wear it “[straight] Like my nana.”
I grew up in the Blackest city in America, Detroit. Yet, it wasn’t until college that mustered the courage to wear my hair in natural styles.
We are truly doing our little Black kids a disservice by subliminally telling them that the way their hair grows is bad and needs to be chemically altered so that it can fit the European standards of beauty.
I got my first perm in third grade and continued to get them. My last one was for prom. Then after I got saved I felt like I was slapping God in the face by saying “what You gave me isn’t good enough. I have to (perm)anently change it!”
I work every day to subliminally teach kids that it’s ok to be all that God naturally made you to be. It’s an honor to make a four year old smile because I’m wearing my hair like hers.
Claricha Explains It All 
This completely resonates with me. When I wear my hair in braids, my Hispanic students tell me I look like Medusala. It drives me crazy! But, if we don’t understand our hair, how will someone else? If we hide it, how could we expect someone to not be off guard when they see it? If we never herald its beauty, how will our girls think it is? Love this, love this.
It’s crazy for real. I cut off my permed hair in 2007. It wasn’t until 2 months ago when my mom said “you know, I’m starting to like your hair.” She didn’t mean it offensively, of course. It’s really a shame, though, how we as a culture devalue our hair.
It saddens me that most of us are not raised to LOVE our natural hair! I was pretty much subliminally told that I had to wear my hair straight to be pretty. It wasn’t until last year that I was able to embrace the beauty behind my natural hair even after six years of growing out my perm. I think its great that you’re influencing kids to love themselves as they are just by being you!
she is the cutest.
This is a great post. As leaders in the community it is imperative that we show our diversity. This blesses our young people with the ability to explore and display their authenticity with confidence. The best you, is the you, that you embrace.
Beautiful story be proud of your natural look.