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Ms. Tanene Jackson is the owner and operator of Locs of Soul, and the founder of Natural Hair & Wellness Expo June 18, 2011 - Mobile, AL. She shares with us…
“How to Stay Natural”
How to Stay Natural
Self Love and Preservation
“How to Stay Natural”…. Okay, most of you are wondering, “Who is this trying to tell me how to stay natural? I got this!” Well you probably do. BUT! Not without issue. I have been natural for 19 – 20 years (wearing locs for 13 yrs). In this time I have seen natural hair come, go, re-vamp, re-energize, and re-store itself. I have seen the lawsuits around the country via the news; the self-esteem issues of women rise and fall, the politics of “good” vs. “bad” hair, the negative connotations and uber affirmations.
The “sistahood” seems like a club that you automatically become indoctrinated to when you start transitioning from relaxed to natural. The key is you have to follow through with your journey to be an “official” member. With that being said, let us not forget the conscious level of everyone is not the same. Many women transition as a rite of passage to self-awareness, others for the style, while others are due to health issues. Seeing women look like ourselves, presenting confidence and reassurance, hopefully will give you insight to what you want and strive to be as a woman – a natural woman. At the end of the day we realize that we are just as beautiful if not more beautiful naturally.
It took me a while to write this blog, because I did not want to offend anyone in my wording. But I have true conviction to my “roots”, so my passion shows. Having natural hair for me is not only an extension of my personality. It defines my place in this world on my throne. Although I walk among the vast majority, I am still a minority being natural. I cannot allow what I see to be my norm when I KNOW what is right for me. There are no substitution for my spirals, coils, and kinks. I see women buy hair that they will never possess, and wonder, “Why”? There is nothing wrong with a tight curl vs. a loose curl.
Now, I understand wanting options, but not for the purpose of hiding or compromising that you are for the sake of the majority. I believe when women of color realize that they ARE beautiful; personally and collectively we will be better off. STOP the hate! Love yourself! Then, you can love each other! Define your existence. Being of color has it’s own politics. Throw in some hair… and it’s on and poppin’!
After over 400 years, slavery has left women of color with the residue of mental slavery. Becoming natural allows for us to shed a least a portion of those shackles. Whether we like it or not being natural allows us to make silent statements that commands and demands respect and attention.
Preservation is within self. As long as we commence to hate on each other, and ourselves and not embrace the lifestyle (not just the style) of being natural, we will be part of the “those people” crew. We will fall back into the clutches of the slave mentality.
Ladies even through our natural journey, we must remember that one size DOES NOT fit all! In other words everyone’s journey will never be the same…. maybe similar, but never the same. Enjoy your self. Enjoy the energy. Enjoy the camaraderie. Enjoy life. Most of all recognize that you are “IT” and “BEAUTIFUL”.
Remember for everyone who has something negative to say about the curl or kink you possess, they secretly sit in awe, admiring your beauty, and wondering how they would look in their natural state! When that person decides that they are ready for that journey, it is your duty, my fellow sistas to reach out, teach, enlighten, and embrace the next.
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