Say hello to our natural beauty. Ten years ago she was born with a head full of curly hair and as you can see she still has it. Her mother works very hard to keep her hair healthy and natural. Here she is sporting a twist out. The interesting part is the conversation that took place when her mother and I were twisting her hair. There were some young - twenty something - girls there and this is what they had to say.
Girls: She has pretty hair and it's natural (as if this is some kind of contradiction)
Me: She has always had a head full of beautiful hair.
Girls: Why don't you put a relaxer in it - it would be so long (I'm trying not to roll my eyes)
Me: She doesn't need a relaxer, her hair is already long.
Girls: That would be taking the easy way out (perhaps there is hope for them yet).
Girls: She should wait until she's about 15 and then but a relaxer on it cause she gon get tired of taking care of all that hair. (I spoke too soon).
Me: Maybe she'll embrace the hair that God has given her and learn to take care of it, there are other options besides relaxers.
Girls: Yah you right - she could cut it all off, that would make it easier for her to take care of (Seriously).
At this point, I change the subject because I'm a guest in someone elses house and I can tell that these young ladies aren't open to new ideas. Plus, I was getting very heated, my family has prided itself on making sure our little girls are proud of who they are and for someone else to put ideas in their head contrary to our values was irritating. I don't blame the ladies for their ignorance. Someone failed to teach them about their heritage and how to keep an open mind. I just hope they learn to love themselves or life will be difficult. In the mean time our angel loves her hair and never asks about a relaxer. We must be doing something right.
