For those who may not have heard of this letter, it is called "The Making of a Slave". I'll include a link to it at the end of this post. It is lengthy and heavy reading. You may ask, "What does this have to do with natural hair?" Well, it has a lot to do with our mindset and gives a glimpse into perhaps where some of our attitudes about natural hair come from.
I don't know if Willie Lynch personally wrote this or not, I wasn't around in the 1700's. But I do know that the effect of "techniques" such as those described in the letter are still seen and experienced today.
Nappy hair is a pretty distinct feature. It is a feature that you will see almost exclusively on Black people. If we have been taught for centuries that being Black is inferior, then it stands to reason that we could perhaps feel inferior with, or be ashamed of, our distinct hair.
Two of the things that stand out in the Making of a Slave letter are 1) Pit us against each other (by age, sex, skin color, etc) and 2)"distrust is stronger than trust".
Because we embrace natural hair does not separate us from our sisters (or brothers) who have chemically straightened hair. Let us continue to come together in love and enjoy our diversity and the choices that we can make. Let us not allow distrust to override our ability to love ourselves and others. We are family.
Let us also know that for some who feel uncomfortable with their newly natural hair, it is a process for them to get to that place of comfort. If, for most of your life, you have had your hair straightened, it very well may be an adjustment for you to now be natural with your hair. People tell me all the time about their struggles with trying to feel comfortable with their natural hair. It's okay, hang in there. It is possible that your feelings may be a result of centuries of influence. Renew your mind and embrace nappy. In time, you will rock your hair with confidence.
Susan
Here's a link to the letter. It's deep.
Nappy hair is a pretty distinct feature. It is a feature that you will see almost exclusively on Black people. If we have been taught for centuries that being Black is inferior, then it stands to reason that we could perhaps feel inferior with, or be ashamed of, our distinct hair.
Two of the things that stand out in the Making of a Slave letter are 1) Pit us against each other (by age, sex, skin color, etc) and 2)"distrust is stronger than trust".
Because we embrace natural hair does not separate us from our sisters (or brothers) who have chemically straightened hair. Let us continue to come together in love and enjoy our diversity and the choices that we can make. Let us not allow distrust to override our ability to love ourselves and others. We are family.
Let us also know that for some who feel uncomfortable with their newly natural hair, it is a process for them to get to that place of comfort. If, for most of your life, you have had your hair straightened, it very well may be an adjustment for you to now be natural with your hair. People tell me all the time about their struggles with trying to feel comfortable with their natural hair. It's okay, hang in there. It is possible that your feelings may be a result of centuries of influence. Renew your mind and embrace nappy. In time, you will rock your hair with confidence.
Susan
Here's a link to the letter. It's deep.
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