Deny it if you will....
Hair in my family has always been a “thing;” not good or bad, just something.
My dad’s mother was a beautician and my mom’s mom was a raving beauty that looked like something from Egypt or Brazil, same goes for my mom.
Hair is a sensitive debate within most minority communities and the question of what is “good” hair comes up.
Once, when I was twelve and going through hell in middle school, my Nana (grandmother) was brushing my mid-back length hair (which was, at the time, chemically relaxed because I wanted to fit in with all the Asian and white students I went to school with).
Nana said to me, “You have good hair like everyone in the family”
I completely disregarded the “hair comment” and exclaimed, “How Nana? I don’t have your genes...remember I am adopted?” I remember feeling slightly nauseous, wishing I could look like her....
I mentioned this comment to my mother concerned that I had hurt my Nana’s feelings about denying the family “pretty gene by being adopted” and she said, “ You are pretty too, and don’t ever say you have good hair! That’s not very nice,” she continued to explain to me how in various communities it’s a sensitive subject.
I asked, “Is that why other girls at school steal my things, steal my sweatshirt, call me a fat hairy werewolf and ask me where I bought my hair? *side note, thank you Twilight for making werewolves sexy and tanned, it’s about time!!*
From that day on I have always been aware of the concept of “hair” and I don’t really believe in hair being good or bad.
However, I continued to relax my hair until I started UCLA. I remember my mom’s frowned and comment that it would be “hard to manage, and very curly...” but I made the transition; it took three years, my hair is finally all natural and I love it.
I have a friend, who is black with beautiful hair, that tells me she wants my hair, and how lucky I am...but I always address these comments with a “Thank you,” but also point out the beauty that they posses! Because hair is hair, when natural it matches an individual perfectly!
