An Ode to Black Hair
I love my black hair.
It’s naturally kinky, thick, and strong.
I love my black hair.
It’s versatile, and without the shrinkage, it’s actually pretty long.
I love my black hair.
But I’m not so sure that the workplace is where it belongs.
Selah
NOPE – I’m obviously not a poet, and I know that my “ode” (poem) is awful! 🤣 But like so many of you, I’ve felt (or perceived) the sting of judgment about my hair in a professional work environment.
I loovvee to wear braids! They are convenient, “weather resistant”, workout friendly, and can be styled in so many ways. And if I don’t want to style my hair, a quickly gathered ponytail will do just fine. 😉
But for my entire first year as a newly minted leader, I was intentional about NOT wearing braids to supposedly (and ignorantly) protect myself from what I thought would be frowned upon. I wanted to look “professional” during my initial meetings with other colleagues, and I didn’t think that wearing braids fit the bill.
Now don’t get me wrong…race-based hair discrimination is real. If it wasn’t, we wouldn’t need the 2019 CROWN Act to “Create a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair”, particularly for those with braids, twists, locs, and knots.
Since my childhood, I've often been "the only" in many academic and professional spaces, so I’d let the fear of perception and other peoples’ opinions dictate my style and worse – interrupt the convenience of my braided lifestyle…UGH!
I struggled for a while, and I’ve come a long way since then. I soon realized that Black hair IS professional hair. (SN: Shouts-out to my Black-owned hair and braiding salons!)
Don’t be like I was. Recognize that you were fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14), and you are God’s masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10). Part of the process of personal wholeness is to define your own identity and OWN it! Like India Arie said, “I am not my hair.” Be be-YOU-tiful. Be YOU.
Most of all, be released from the bondage of other people’s opinions so that you will thrive in authenticity and live richly every day.
Happy Black History Month (month 2 out of 12)!! #365Black
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