I’m in bed(yay) on my day off work(more yay). I’ll be honest I’m not intending to leave my room for a good couple of hours. I got my snacks, food and portable heater. I’m living the life!
A while ago I heard a future bride discussing whether or not it is possible to have a natural hairstyle on her wedding day. In my head I was infuriated. How could she debate whether or not it was possible? If you choose to go for hair extensions, it’s your choice but it is definitely a possibility. In the light of day, I remembered that it wasn’t this ladies fault.
One of my favourite authors, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, is about to release a book I am super happy about. The novel ‘Americanah’ has taken the hair debate out of the black arena and made it a global political issue.On Channel 4, The New Yorker and the Ted Conference. Gosh, I love this woman.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ck2o34DS64&feature=player_embedded]
I have heard younger girls being taught that in order to have success in a high powered careers afro hair is ill-advised? Is this is the legacy we are leaving? There is an impression that a natural texture is ‘less than’, ‘too eccentric’, ‘not professional’ etc etc. Sorry but what??!! What happened to breaking through stereotypes and being the change, not the problem. More importantly as a Christian I can’t help but wonder, where is God’s role in all of this? If you believe in God, surely He is the operating ingredient in our success. Hopefully people see the Creators work in our job interviews, not just our Brazilian………extensions.
We speak of being modern women, but contradict ourselves by agreeing and conforming with those who judge us by our hair. If God knows the future and destined us to attain to higher heights, surely He created in us all that we need. Choose your hair style, ANY hairstyle, because you like it. Not to cover up a beautiful natural work.
As far as I’m concerned, this debate is not over.
Hype about Americanah:
PS: Chimamanda if your reading, coffee sometime? I’ll even pay!
Whoooo girl this outfit! Love it!
i know…its gawjuss!!!! she looks incredible hun, I’d love to recreate the hairstyle.
Love this post Miss Chi. As a natural chick I rock my little fro-yo to work sometimes and my colleagues love it. I would rock it all year round if not for the highly unpredictable London weather my hair does not like. Ditto on this piece…its by God’s grace and not the Brizilian/indonesian/or any kind of hair!
Love Dee
amen! totally agree, the weather in Britain is super harsh on our hair. :-(