The Big Chop

Hello All,

Over the past eight months I’ve been growing my hair out preparing to make the transition to the natural side. I knew that I wanted to be natural by 40 so I began my process August 2009. Most people know that I’m very obsessive about my hair. I’m the kind of girl who would leave the office for lunch and come back with a new hairdo. I’m just that serious about my hair so this natural process was a big thing for me. Well, I’m proud to say that Monday, April 19th was my Big Chop Day. Yes, I did it!!!!

There were a couple of times during this process when I started to return to the perm (hair crack), especially when friends and family could not understand why I would want to do such an awful thing. While there are many natural men and women in this world and the workplace, I was often advised that kinks and career don’t mix. Some of these comments were hurtful and disheartening. In my mind, I believed that my capabilities, work ethic and visionary spirit would transcend all of that. Consequently, I remained strong because I also had a support group of very professional and everyday natural women who shouted how liberating being natural felt. For eight months I wore kinky twists. When it came time to get my kinky twists again, I woke up one morning and decided that it was time for the BC. It was like my spirit was telling me to turn it loose……so I did.

I can’t explain how free I felt. When I saw my hair falling to the floor, it was like the remaining baggage and a myriad of emotions I was carrying went too. I felt cleansed and proud of my hair. I'm even more proud of myself and the courage it took to make such a bold move. I had my own hang-ups about hair and there were many times I let my hair drive my self-concept and self-esteem. This process may not be for everyone but this process is a pledge to be kinder to me. I love me and all that comes with me. My Father tells me that I’m beautiful and wonderfully made… The lesson here is that we much teach our children to love themselves beyond hair, clothes, and material things. We must engage in conversations about beauty and foster a positive self-concept and image. I'm as beautiful as I believe and think I am...it really does start from within.

I can't wait until the day I have a head full of wild hair. For now, I’ll rock the afro, twists, my natural curls…..whatever I feel like in the moment. As my sista India Arie put it, "I am not my hair."

One Love,

Robin
“NaturalSoul”