So....
im "going natural"
what does that mean?
no more chemical processing to straighten my hair.
A little while ago Sesame Street did the
"I love my hair" skit. Around the same time,
Willow Smith released, "Whip My Hair".(jammin)
I didn't know that a 10 year old and a muppet would have such an impact on my
own self image.
But when a 2 year old miniature version of myself is perched on my hip
i am always pulled back to reality.
My daughter has a head full of huge gorgeous curls
(almost bigger than she is)
and i love her exactly the way she is
bubbly, wide-eyed, and untamed.
About a month ago, she took a small fistful of Mardi Gras beads and
wrapped them around her "poofy pony".
(a poof that I worked hard to slick back)
She did this to "whip her hair back n forth"
Adorable at the moment? Yes.
But eye opening soon after.
There is a strange complex for women of color and their hair.
To have longer, controlled or "good" hair aka relaxed or easily tamed
-- is what is socially preferred.
Having kinks, coils, and twists tends to go against the grain.
Believe it or not I overheard other 2 year old little girls in her class say, "Wow Chloe! You have good hair!! or Wow! Your hair is long!"
Crazy observation from a 2 year old, but they emulate what they are taught not by society, but by the women they are surrounded by.
I never want Chloe to think that beauty comes from your ability to whip your hair,
roll your hips, pump up your breast, or take a shots with your belly button.
I just want her to have the comfort with herself, her natural self, to love every bit, kink, or quirk that is packaged in that fruit snack-filled body of hers.
Mommyhood is one heck of a job i must say.
BisousBisous
(oh here she is by the way...i don't believe i've ever posted her on the blog)
im "going natural"
what does that mean?
no more chemical processing to straighten my hair.
A little while ago Sesame Street did the
"I love my hair" skit. Around the same time,
Willow Smith released, "Whip My Hair".(jammin)
I didn't know that a 10 year old and a muppet would have such an impact on my
own self image.
But when a 2 year old miniature version of myself is perched on my hip
i am always pulled back to reality.
My daughter has a head full of huge gorgeous curls
(almost bigger than she is)
and i love her exactly the way she is
bubbly, wide-eyed, and untamed.
About a month ago, she took a small fistful of Mardi Gras beads and
wrapped them around her "poofy pony".
(a poof that I worked hard to slick back)
She did this to "whip her hair back n forth"
Adorable at the moment? Yes.
But eye opening soon after.
There is a strange complex for women of color and their hair.
To have longer, controlled or "good" hair aka relaxed or easily tamed
-- is what is socially preferred.
Having kinks, coils, and twists tends to go against the grain.
Believe it or not I overheard other 2 year old little girls in her class say, "Wow Chloe! You have good hair!! or Wow! Your hair is long!"
Crazy observation from a 2 year old, but they emulate what they are taught not by society, but by the women they are surrounded by.
I never want Chloe to think that beauty comes from your ability to whip your hair,
roll your hips, pump up your breast, or take a shots with your belly button.
I just want her to have the comfort with herself, her natural self, to love every bit, kink, or quirk that is packaged in that fruit snack-filled body of hers.
Mommyhood is one heck of a job i must say.
BisousBisous
(oh here she is by the way...i don't believe i've ever posted her on the blog)
No comments:
Post a Comment