Good Hair Revisited

So, I watched Chris Rock's documentary Good Hair when it debuted but I thought I would revisit it with a renewed mind.  Now, I must admit that I viewed it with a different "eye" this time.  If you haven't checked it out, out should.  Thankfully, I am the proud mother of a boy, I don't know what I would do if I had to decide about hair for myself and a child.  I then began to think about my 2 year old niece, Chloe.  She is a beautiful little, spunky, feisty sista (people say that she inherited her temperment from me, go figure).

  Anyway, I was so saddened after watching these little bitty black girls subconsciously feel "less than" because of their hair texture.  I just hate that for tee tee's baby (Auntie's baby).  More than ever now, I am committed to "showing" her to embrace ALL  that the creator has BLESSED (YES BLESSED) her with!!  She is more ammunition for all the naysayers!!!

Paul Mooney (comedic genius) made a comment in the film,
“If your hair is relaxed, white people are relaxed. If your hair is nappy, they’re not happy”  That hit me like a ton of bricks and before I knew it tears were running down my face.  Whewwww, the pressure y'all!!  As a young professional I have many more career goals to attain and I don't want to be stunted by a sense of acceptance by the job market .  Isn't the opposite of self-acceptance self-hatred?!?!?!?  If so, that is wrong on sooo many levels that I can't begin to explain.  I love me, right??  I accept my body as a gift from God, right??  Well if so, I need to love me for ME (all of me)!!

Because music is at the core of healing, emotion, fun times, sad times and in between times for me I went straight to youtube and typed in "I Am Not My Hair" by India Arie.  It has been a comforter in this transition.  I am absolutely in love with her (and I always have been).  But, I starting questioning, am I my hair?  As a black woman all of my life has involved HAIR!  Being fried, dyed and laid to the side is a must before going to work, church, club,  WHEREVER.  I must get my hair done! 
So, I go back to youtube and listen to "Video" by India Arie and again tears start to flow.  Not because of sadness, but of joy and relief!!  Y'all my mind is made up!!!  Ain't no turning back!!!  I will make a playlist of inspirational music and keep my eyes on the prize!!!