tresses of choice.

from nytimes.com.

I have been nappy since the day I was born. I was raised that way; not that I had a choice… I was adopted into a white family and I am pretty sure my mom didn’t know how to perform a home perm or set a weave on my little head. Now, those of you who know me, know that I am proud to wear my hair natural... but back in the day, I had it bad for long hair. And how could I not? Growing up in Vermont with three sisters who all had beautiful, long blond/brown hair, my beauty ideals were the product of my environment. Every night after my shower, I would wrap a towel around my head, pretend it was long hair and swing it 'round like a rock star. I longed for hair like my sisters.

Today I am thankful that my mom didn’t know how to straighten my hair; today I am proud of my natural hair. I remember going to an interview at a law firm when I first moved to New York and having the interviewer tell me that “natural hair” was not appropriate for their work environment. I should have reported them, but I was so taken aback, I just walked out. I relayed the story to a friend of mine at the time and she said if I wanted the job bad enough I would straighten my hair. She also added that she didn’t understand what the big deal was. (We are, unfortunately, no longer friends.) I guess many people would say hair is just hair, not a defining personal factor... but I do feel like my hair plays a part in defining me, and I am proud of that.

Now, this is not to say that those who straighten their hair or wear weaves aren’t proud and beautiful, or that they are any less black than I am… It’s all about what makes one comfortable and happy… I read an article today (the inspiration for this entry) in the New York Times Style Section: Black Hair, Still Tangled in Politics. The article was accompanied by a great interactive piece, in which selected black women explain their hair, why they wear it that way and their feelings on the subject.

I very much enjoyed hearing the perspective of others (I always do)... but, I think it's safe to say, mine will always be nappy.