Curly Roots

When noticing a person, the first things that are readily visible are the person’s mouth, eyes, and hair. Hair being something that can be dramatic or traumatic in some cases.
After decades of pressing combs, and relaxers, the “natural look” is back. Nevertheless, is it for everybody?
In the seventies it was “groovy” to grow the ‘fro and sport the puffs but today’s natural sisters and brothers have a deeper meaning to there rebellion against the lye.
Not saying the youth of the revolution did not have a purpose for the puffs but it was more of trend back then than now. This especially applies to the noble sisters and brothers who “lock” it up.
Be it dreads, locks, twists, fros, or braids, a deeper meaning has been given to the natural look of 2002. Many people do it for religious, spiritual, or cleansing purposes, but I did it because of the beauty.
I looked back at what my hair used to be before the perms. I missed it, missed the beautiful curls that most people spend hours trying to recreate and realized that perms were not for me.
I just couldn’t imagine the purpose of putting a chemical in my hair that destroys the whole structure of my hair, just so I could put it in rollers and curl hair that was never meant to be straight.
Curls have again become a beautiful and identifying mark of African-American, Jamaican, and Native American heritage.
More and more actresses are sporting natural spiral curls. Even actress Halle Berry and singer/actress Toni Braxton have been spotted with a deeply conditioned and oiled “straw” sets.
But, ladies, before you jump the gun and cut out all that permed hair, take a minute to ask yourself why you want to go “natural” . What does natural mean to you and can you handle it?
It is not an easy course to follow; “starting” all over and it should not be taken lightly. In some instances it can be a life-changing experience.
But on the brighter side, hair always grows back. You can always change your mind and experiment. Eventually an answer will come to you.
Just remember that in changing yourself it must be for yourself and for what you believe. Doing something for somebody else, will just make you unhappy, and more confused then you were before you took that trip to the barber.
“To curl or not to curl, just remember to love your roots.”