Hair: just thinking.

 So I was Just Thinking:

Why is it that we black Caribbean women have so many issues with hair? At this time I think I should describe myself. I am a Caribbean 'darkie' at about 5'4" and 125lbs. I currently have my hair in a natural low cut style- It is convenient and facilitates my current lifestyle allowing me to join the kids on the beach, exercise (okay... if I was really exercising) and easily wash and go. That does not mean I have some philosophical view about "being natural".

 My hair has been relaxed, texturized, braided, twisted and locked (as in dreadlocks); black, cinnamon brown and with bleached highlights; super short, pretty long and every length in between; and always a reflection of me.What I have noticed with each hairstyle is the different assumptions people make about me and my beliefs based on my hairstyle. Here are some examples:- If your hair is relaxed/ straightened or you have a weave, it means that you are ashamed of your African heritage or have self-image issues. Or if your hair is natural, you are somehow more creative and 'black conscious'. Well I hate to burst the bubble... hair is just hair and whatever the style, it is still me wearing it. As a black woman, I hasten to add that whatever we do to our hair... straighten, braid, weave, lock, texturize etc.... it is still uniquely our hair and our unique options. Hair, like clothes, is in my opinion an expression of self and style.

Many of our younger generations thankfully no longer wrap up their issues of self confidence and self identity into hair. A person can be comfortable enough in themselves and their identity to happily explore and express themselves through hair (as persons of all other races do). Can we lose the judgements, the presuppositions and just respect each others preferences and appreciate the number of choices we have to wear our hair.

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