Originally Published on March 24, 1999 -HAIR ISSUES!

Note: When I was 14 years old, in 1968, my best friend and mentor, Abayea – washed my hair, cut it, and gave little sister “Akua” – as I was known then – an Afro. My “Fro” wasn’t as wide as Abayea’s but it was pretty cute – atleast I thought so. The next day, when I went to school – I was met with oohs, ahs, and proud smiles from the teachers – especially Mr. Burns – my seventh grade biology teacher. I felt pretty. An afro was still rather novel then – atleast among us 14 year olds.

Since that time – it has been a constant struggle – externally – to deal with folk who think I should put a relaxer in my hair – these people have reasons – first we live in America and the standard of beauty is not based upon “kinky” hair. But that’s okay. I’m not ruled by it either. However, I thought by 1999, it would be a dead issue when it came to my child – a beautiful girl with thicker, longer hair than myself.

Yes, I succumbed to the Kiddie-perm pressure cause my daughter didn’t want to be different, I didn’t know how to corn row and my child was receiving a fair amount of pressure because of her awkward looking braids. Then I read a book by a sister named Pam Ferrell. I was a blessing. The sister offered the reader very detailed, illustrated methods of grooming, maintaining, and being creative with natural hair. I am a very happy owner of “Let’s Talk Hair: Every Black Woman’s Personal Consultation for Healthy Growing Hair,” by Pamela Ferrell.

“Hair”

“If you put a relaxer in your hair,
it’ll take out the kinks,
touch it up every few weeks,
you can have “french” curls.
be versatile with that stuff chile!
look at that nappy head,
Africa!
we all know where you come from,
Brooklyn New York!
Ancestors!
this is today!
how bout a permanent wave
or shampoo and press?
do you take mild, regular or super?
you see how they wear their hair
like us don’t you?
I know you ain’t no white girl!
what that got to do with change and men?
look at it this way Bianca – at least you won’t be different.