DOCTOR DREAD

It has been stated in the past that no one will hire a person with dreads. This may have been the case in the 70's and early 80's, but as black people began to embrace cornrows and other natural hair styles, the professional world began to be more tolerant of ethnic hairstyles. Now with many celebrities opting to wear more ethnic-centric hairstyles, the business world had to bend a little more to the idea of ethnic expression through hair style choices.

Here is an interview of an up and coming professional and her journey into the natural hair world and a professional career.

google image

When and why did you choose dreads?
I decided to dread my hair in March 2009. I was tired of perming and wetsetting my hair. It was chewed out in the back and traumatized. Being in medical school and having a busy schedule, I only had time put my hair in one ponytail, but it was more about the hair breakage in the back. I had been thinking about dreads for two years. My mother didn't want me to cut off my permed hair even though she herself had cut off her own permed hair to wear dreads in 2005.

What was the initial response of family, friends, and co-workers?
My little sister cried because she was having a hard time growing her own hair and I had long hair which she loved. My great-aunt said I had nigga hair and she didn't like it. My dad accused my mother of cutting off my hair, which she had, but at my request. My best friend just said that I looked like my mother. She is of the Pentecostal faith which does not agree with women cutting their hair. My peers in medical school thought my hair was interesting.

What do you like or dislike about your hair?
I like getting up in the morning and going out of the door without fussing over my hair. No more perms and burns. I thought dreads would be easy to lock, you know, because most black people think their natural hair is nappy. But the texture of my natural hair was more like the texture of nylon weave. The shaft is very straight and elastic. I was amazed at the actual strength of it. Each time I would shampoo my newly acquired dreads, they would come a loose. I had to redo them constantly. My hairstyle doesn't look as feminine as it did with my perm and I can't curl it on rods yet because it is too short right now. My hair looks weird to me when I wear dresses.

Did you notice a boost in confidence or any other personality change?
I don't know. I don't think it was a boost in confidence. I pretty much do what I set my mind to do. But my dreads did make me happy because I wanted to do it for so long and I'm happy with my decision. I think my hair reflects that I do what I want to do.

What is the response to your hair now?
People like it. People stop me on the streets to ask me who did my hair. I feel good when I tell them I did it myself. I had a picture in my head of how my dreads would be and they are nothing like what I imagined.

As a Professional person, how do your dreads go with your career?
I had a moment of hesitancy when finally deciding to dread lock my hair, because I was entering the interview season for residency placement as a doctor. I decided if a residency program didn't want me because of my natural hair style choice, then it was not a program I wanted to be a part of.

Dr. Ellis, Mississippi

Look back to look forward

    Has the African American community embraced their natural hair as a thing of beauty, or will the natural kinks and wooliness of our hair continue to cause shame and self-loathing? Madam C. J. Walker (December 23, 1867-May 25, 1919) an American businesswoman, hair care entrepreneur, tycoon, and philanthropist, marketed beauty and hair products for black women. She was the first female to become a millionaire. She was born Sarah Breedlove in Delta, Louisiana and was the first member of her family to be born free. Her parents had been slaves.     When she began to lose her hair from extreme dandruff and scalp disease from washing her hair once a month, which was customary during that time period, she designed her own line of hair care products. By 1917, she had the largest business in the United States owned by a black person. "I am a woman who came from the cotton fields of the South. From there I was promoted to the wash tub. From there I was promoted to the cook kitchen. And from there I promoted myself into the business of manufacturing hair goods and preparations...I have built my own factory on my own ground.'' An estimated 75% of American black women continue to perm or relax their hair. The award winning 

    Whoopi Goldberg often has members of her own community tell her that her dread locks are disgusting and that she should "take those nappy braids out." A generation earlier, actress Cicely Tyson was told by members of the black community that she may be a gifted actress, but her short natural hairstyle was detrimental to the image of black women.

     "As the twentieth century closes, I believe that Black women have come to better appreciate the array of beauty we portray, despite subtle, and not so subtle, pressure from the media, the workplace and the larger society to conform to their standards of attractiveness. Yet, I am sometimes troubled that too many of us still make snide and cruel comments about the politically, professionally, or socially acceptable way to wear our hair. We would be a lot stronger as a people if we used that energy to support each other economically, emotionally, and spiritually." Quote by A'lelia Perry Bundles, Great-great-granddaughter of madam C.J. Walker, black hair care industry pioneer. Information source: Article by Russell K., Wilson M., and Hall R. (1992) Hair: the Straight and Nappy of it all, "The Color Complex: the Politics of Skin Color Among African Americans" NY: Anchor, 81-93.

Choosing Well

After seeing your post on Kinnks.com....on Facebook, my response to your questions on going natural are as follows:

When: I decided to go natural about a year and 1/2 ago.

Why: First I did it because I couldn't afford the up-keep. I am a single Mom.
At the time I was trying to have a house built, I have a foreign made car that was very expensive to repair, a son who required allergy shots (frequent Dr. visits) and I also have a chronic medical condition. So, I didn't have 2 nickles to spare! I also traveled alot for my job. So time was valuable. I have very thick hair...so I would spend at least 3 hours getting it washed, permed, colored, trimmed and styled, etc. THEN I'd spend the rest of the day in the Barbershop with my son. So there goes a full Saturday focused on hair grooming! The last time I did this....I said, "FORGET THIS!"

Family response: My family is from the old school. Press n Curl or Perm it! My Mom still gives me a hard time. I have a few aunts and uncles who also tell me everytime they see me, "Girl do somethin fo yo HAIR!"

Google image

Co-Workers: My Boss kept giving me crazy looks and just asking questions. I could tell by her expression she didn't approve, but wouldn't dare say it directly. Most my other co-workers just asked questions. So, did you cut your hair? You letting the chemicals grow out? Keeping in mind that I work in a Corporate Accounting building with mostly caucasian men and women. There are only 4 black women out of about 50 people. AND I'm an auditor so I see them all on a regular basis.

Self-Esteem: At first I was VERY self-concious about it. It was a mess because some parts still had perm in it while others were frizzy and had grown out. I also had to ask around and try lots of different products and techniques (washing, blow drying, platting, conditioners, rolling) to figure out what worked for me. You know like what products gave me the look I wanted. I even had to decide what look it was that I wanted. Since I do travel, I got lots of looks, lots of compliments and some questions. The more comfortable I got with it the more it was accepted by others. Now everyone tells me I look exotic like I'm from the islands or something. They say that it truly fits me. Then I replay that song in my head! I think it's called, "I am not my hair," by Jill Scott. I hold my head up high and say to myself, it's always been about what makes me happy, not conforming to what others think I should be. I see my self growing old with my natural even after the fad has passed :=)

I hope this helps! Good luck with your book! fentress R.


"In the end Life is about making choices. Our challenge is to choose well."

Going Postal with shzron1946

(Google Image)

I was a postal worker in 1990 and very unhappy with the direction of my life. So, at the age of 44, I walked out of that job and went to college full time. This meant I had a drastic change in income since this was a sudden decision. I had worn a shoulder-length Wave Nouveau (remember that style?) for two years and when I realized I could no longer afford to maintain the style, I asked my beautician to cut me a TWA. It was a shock, but I liked the way it looked.

The reaction: Suddenly men on the street called me "Sister" and "Queen", gave me the power sign and wanted to talk Black Power politics. My family, as always, did not speak to me about the style, but I believe they had a lot of disapproval to share with each other. (Funny thing is that two of my sisters also went natural about ten years later.) I had a part-time job at the university, at first, and I noticed that many professional black women wore their hair in natural styles. I have had some interesting haircuts and a lot of compliments. For a while, as I turned gray, I dyed it, but I didn't like doing that, so I stopped dying and just let it be gray, but I do put a rinse on to bring out the silver.

Now, as professional with a masters' degree, I'm finding that I have begun to dislike cutting my hair. So I am seriously considering dreads. I want to just let it grow as long as it will, like the song says: "Don't even have to cut it cause it stops by itself!"

It's been a good experience, all in all.

Partial book review:Myth of the Negro Past

Anyone interested in becoming an author should know one thing: in order to write, you must read and read alot.

Dr. Melvill J. Herskovits (1895-1963) was a white anthropology professor at Northwestern University and founder of the first university program in African studies in the United States.

His book explains that the American Negro maintained some of their cultural practices brought with them from Africa. Everyone believes that because the slaves were from different parts of Africa and made to conform to white standards of slave life that all culture was stripped from them. If you study the black person in America, you will notice they have European practices. But, if a person from Africa studies blacks in America, Haiiti, Jamaica, Colombia, and Brazil, he will notice some common practices of these blacks that are similar to some practices in Africa.

It is clearly noted that when a white person/European person sung a church song it sounded one way and when a black person sung the same song it sounded another way. The black person adapted and assimilated to the song, but brought to it their own flavor that was brought with them from Africa. If blacks did this with music and dance, accepted white practices by overlaying it with African practices, then they must have done so in other areas of aculturation.

Slave owners taught us how to speak their language, dress in their clothes etc., but did not teach us their paranting skills. We may have imitated some of their styles in parenting, but their must have been some passed down, traditional, cultural childrearing practices that the black slave maintained. The cultural customs the African slave kept blended into the world of superstition and folklore.

In all of the countries of various blacks that originated from Africa, the further you went into sparce populated areas and the lower the education, the higher incidence of superstition, tradition, and folklore. This is seen in the deep south today. In Texas, my cab driver spoke of carrying peas in his wallet on New Years Day and of course my family eats peas on New Years Day for good luck. Why are we messing with peas? I don't know. But what if in Africa, centuries ago, peas were given to some deity for favor? Blacks may be doing cultural practices passed down through family tradition, superstition, and folklore that some unknown tribe is/was doing as part of their life. I found this facinating.

I never believed that I had anything in common with anyone from Africa, but that is me looking at them. If someone from Africa was to study my life, he may see some things I do that are a tradition to me and my family, but it may an African practice of some tribe long ago.

EXERPT

"The characteristic of self-abasement, involving as it does a lack of self-respect, explains the Negro's extrodinary imitativeness. This slavish imitation of the white, states J.M. Mecklin, even to the attempted obliteration of physical characteristics, such as wooly hair, is almost pathetic, and exceedingly significant as indication the absence of feelings of race pride or race integrity. Any imitation of one race by another, of such a wholesale and servile kind as to involve complete self-abnegation, must be disastrous to all concerned."(Boston:Beacon Press, 1958,p. 20).

Twanna's Story

(Picture: Lauren Hill, singer)

Hello my name is Twanna or "HappyNowNappy"

I'm 30 yrs old and have been natural since August 3, 2009. I tried to go natural several times previously but would transition for several months then get frustrated with the two textures and relax my hair! This time when I decided to go natural I was pregnant and on bed rest. I kept thinking that this year was full of new beginnings. A lot of things was changing in my life so why not start fresh with my hair! Also I couldn't afford to pay $60 for a relaxer alone.
One all the relaxed ends were off I felt like a convict that had a life sentence and he got parole. It was such a freeing sensation all over my body. I walked out the salon with my head held high and looking like a was the $#@$. I loved it!
The reaction from my family and friends was not good. My mother thought I was gay, cousins thought I was crazy, and friends thought I was upset at a man. Everyone kept saying "why did you cut all that hair off?" (My hair was a little pass my shoulders.) My answer was "it's just hair!" Once everyone got use to it being short they thought it was cute.
Cuting my hair and going natural did give me a ton of confidence that I didn't have while I was relaxed with long hair. No one can tell me that I don't look good!
I like that my hair is highly coiled and thick. I love been able to wet my hair every day and not running from the rain. Things I dislike is, I'm just gonna be honest, some days I wish I had bigger coils. But I think the biggest dislike is that I don't know my hair in its natural state and that bugs me! However at the end of the day I don't regret going natural nor will I go back to the creamy crack!

Twanna

I want the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

When it comes to dreads, there are some serious myths floating around. When people do not understand something or it is new, not what they have been use to, they are apt to be fearful. Just look at the amount of fear having a black president has caused within a year. When someone is fearful or unsure, the tendency is to make the unknown into a MONSTER. The president and dreads have succombed to the falacies of fear.

Here are a few well known myths and their corrections

1. Only Black People can have dreadlocks.
Anyone can have dreadlocks, though it is easier to achieve this look with some hair textures than with others. It's very possible to lock caucasian hair. To see many ethnic groups rocking dreads go to dreadheadhq.com.

2. Dreadlocks represent rebellion or drastic opinions.
There is no doubt that dreads seem to be the mane of a powerful person. The person wearing them looks bold, confident, and secure in self. These are characteristics one would associate with a mover and shaker in society. If being proud to wear my God given hair is a political statement, then there is a lot of rebellion going on in every ethinic group. I guess India Arie is the one who said "I'm not my hair". Some people have dreadlocks because they love the hairstyle, others as a tradition due to where they come from while others are just experimenting.
(me sight seeing in Texas)

3. Dreadlocks should be left dirty and should never be washed.
Locks like any other hairstyle needs to be well maintained and part of that maintainance includes washing. Locks are on your scalp and involve your hair, meaning, the sweat on your scalp accumulates in the hair together with all the dirt from the environement leading to the locks stinking and looking really horrible.Dreads are not dirty; the person wearing them may be.

4. Dreadlocks drain out your body weight.
I don't know where this could have originated. But, if dreads did help to control weght, then every nationality in the world would wear them. There is no direct connection between body weight and length of hair. Of course when you are healthy you have healthier hair but it doesn't mean you will never grow fat because you have dreadlocks.

5. Locks are for Rastas only.
Locks are like any other hairstyle and considering it's a free world, anyone can have them. But there is a rich history behind Rastas and other groups wearing locks and it would be nice and informative to check out the history of dreads on wikipedia.

6.Mayonnaise, Honey, Toothpaste, Glue, Rubber Cement, Mud, Chewing Gum, Peanut Butter, Shea Butter,and Candle Wax all work great for starting dreadlocks.
This is just plain wrong. What will your hair smell like with all that stuff in it? Please do not try this at home. Have mercy on your beautiful hair.The more junk you put on your hair the more you are apt to have build-up and moldy hair. Remember, your hair is still hair; only the style of wearing it has changed. o people with perms apply such drastic products?

7.Locks damage your scalp.
Quite on the contrary. Locks are very natural, you just wash and twist, meaning you never damage your scalp with relaxers, or pulling hence relaxing your scalp. Just give your head a massage once in a while and you will be surprised at how relaxing it is compared to perming and braiding.

8. You have to cut your hair to get rid of locks.
Today with the amount of products in the market, you can undo the locks anytime and maintain the wonderful length attained during the locking stage, just soak the locks in V05 conditioner and comb them out. This will of course depend on the texture of your hair. Since my hair is coarse, it would take me days and probably a considerable amount of hair loss to undo my dreads. The best option for me would be to cut them all off. I did it once when my hair was permed and so I would not be adversed to doing it again.

Whatever the myth on locks, they only can survive with people refusing to educate themselves on this exotic hair style. Be informed so you can inform others.

Hair care tips

How do I deep condition my hair?
A good hot oil treatment or deep conditioner is essential. Hair Repair Products Apply the conditioner or hot oil treatment to the hair and scalp, cover with a plastic cap and sit under a dryer for 15-20 minutes. Alternatively, you can wrap your head in a towel. Then wash the hair thoroughly. This is very important for dry brittle hair.

Which oils should I use (and avoid)?
Oils, pomades, daily moisturizers, leave-in conditioner and creams will make the hair feel more soft and flexible. They are particularly important to be added to permed hair which has been stripped of some of its ability to oil itself. Mineral oil and petroleum use should be minimized or avoided. These products can tend to clog the pores, are not easily absorbed into the hair and attract dust. If you use products with these oils, try to use the ones that have the least amount. Generally, the further down the ingredient list, the less there will be in a product. So, try to use products where these are listed near the end.

Some natural oils to try are shea butter, jojoba oil, olive oil, and sunflower oil. We have a great selection of oils, pomades and moisturizers for every hair type and style.

Oils are best applied to wet hair to help hold in the moisture already there. Creams or leave-in conditioners can be used on days when you don't wash or wet your hair. The type of oil or cream you use in your hair is going to depend on your hair type and may take a little it of experimenting to find what works best for you. Also, the time of year and your hair's exposure to the elements will vary your routine. Back to top


How often should I wash my hair?
This will depend on your hair type and how prone your hair is to drying or becoming oily. As we said earlier, not all African Americans have the same type of hair. Generally speaking, our hair tends to be dry and shampooing too often will worsen that. Rinsing your hair with plain water every day and washing once every week to ten days works for most of us. Bi-racial people may want to wash their hair more often as it may tend to be more oily. BTW, when you dry your hair, do not rub it. Rubbing your hair can cause breakage. Blot it with a towel.

Natural hair not just for the young

Doesn't she look great? Who wouldn't like to look that good? Her hair can be considered professional and stylish for her private life. This is a winning look.

Many comments have been made that dreads are dirty looking and smell. Well, that is just not the truth. Any hair style will look messy and smell if good grooming practices are nt maintained. In this era of the internet, there is not a viable reason for anyone not to be able to maintain healthy and happy natural styles.

In my dread journey and even before, I have found my scalp to be extra sensitive to any grooming product. I have severe allrgic reactions to perfume, certain oils, you get the picture. I can use a new product for about 2 weeks and then my scalp becomes sensitized to that particular product. Even with my delicate condition, I wash my dreads more-so. In the warm months I wash my hair at least twice weekly and during the cold months I do notgo over 10 days without washing my hair.

This is not a regimine that will work for others, but it is the haircare I must adhere to. I do hot oil my hair once a month. Do I have the healthiest dreads in the world? Probably not. Do I have clean hair? Yes I do. Am I happy not being burned to a crisp by chemical and forced to use permed hair products even with my sever allergic reactions? You bet I am happier with my product free relieved scalp.

For others with severe alergic reactions to chemicals, please let me know of products that have worked for you. I'm sure there are tons of people with the same problems.

From Texas to Alabama

I love traveling and seeing the sites. I had the opportunity to visit Houston, Texas last week and Mobile, Alabama this week.

The first thing I looked for in the Texas airport (Bush International) was an authentic cowboy. To my dismay, I did not see one. WHERE HAVE ALL THE COWBOYS GONE? Has the stereotype for a Texan changed without my knowledge? My ears were perked up to hear a Texas accent which I also did not find.

To my delight I found some outstanding bar-b-que at a wonderful restaraunt named Pappa's. The earthy smoky flavor of their shredded beef sandwhich was to die for.

The second thing I looked for in Texas was dreads. There was not one person to cross my path with dreads. I saw french braids and not so nice wigs, but no dreads.

In Mobile, I found heavy heads filled with rope like wonders of various thickness. I also found the infamous southern accent. I was pleased to see natural hair being sported. The people that were actually sporting the dreads, boys. I saw one young lady, who dressed more like a boy, with dreads.

In both of our fair states that make up the union, I met curteous, helpful people. My stay was very pleasant to say the least. In Texas I met a very helpful gentleman who told me the lay of the land to help me sightsee. I have forgotten his name, but he was very nice.

I hope to travel more this year and meet and greet others with natural hair. I asked two young men in Springdale Mall (Alabama)to participate in my book project.

More to do and more to see. I continue to do research on numerous projects. I will be heading to Birmingham, Alabama next week. I hope to post some pictures of my escapades.

WOW! That is a head of dreads!

Longest dreadlocks-world record set by Asha Mandela

DAVENPORT, Fla., USA -- Asha Mandela, of Davenport in Polk County, has an impressive hair: the longest of her locks 8 feet, 9 inches long-setting the world record for the Longest dreadlocks.

Photo: Mandela's dreadlocks, which she started growing 20 years ago, are longer than she is tall. She cradles her locks in her arms like a baby. She wraps it around her neck like a scarf. She lets it hang down her back and trail behind her like a bridal veil. / Photo by George Skene, Orlando Sentinel (enlarge photo)

Asha Mandela, who is originally from Trinidad, said she first cut all of her hair off and began growing the 20-year dreads while she was living in New York.

She said she occasionally considers cutting the dreadlocks but she has become too attached to the style to let it go.

"As much as I love it, I get frustrated with it," she said. "But then I realize I'd feel naked without it."

Ryan Spinella, executive assistant to the city administrator of Longwood, Fla., was one of the witnesses on hand to verify the measuring of Mandela's locks. "I couldn't say what to compare it with. Just a lot of hair," Spinella said. "You don't believe it until you measure it, really."

Originally from Trinidad, Mandela started growing her dreads when she decided to stop using chemicals on her hair while she was living in Brooklyn, N.Y.

She cut it all off and, as it grew back, began corkscrewing it into curls that in turn were twisted together into dreadlocks. Before her dreads were long enough to hang down, they stuck out from her head like long black fingers.

Mandela's hair is her pride. It is much like a child she has raised from infancy for 20 years. She even calls it her baby. But like a child, eight feet of hair is both a blessing and a burden.

She wrings out the water as you would a wet beach towel. When the days are hot, and she takes it out by the pool in the backyard, it takes two hours to dry. When it's humid and cloudy or cool outside, it might take all day for her wet hair to lose its dampness. "I try not to have any errands that day," said Mandela, 46

Mandela says she "used to wash it three times a week. Now I do it once a week. It's very tiring. Sometimes I don't have the energy." It takes one bottle of shampoo and one bottle of conditioner every time she washes her hair.

My hair is just now brushing the top of my shoulder blades and washing it is a chore. It is hot most of the year where I live and my hair air dries quickly. I use tons of shampoo and conditioner, but not as much as Mandela. I don't know how long I am going to let mines get, but I don't want to carry them around.

Sherriet's Interview

Picture from google

I received this interview from Lady Kinks Natural Hair Blog from Sherriet

When did you decide to go natural and why?

I actually went natural in 2003 but I reverted back in 2007 and have made a total transformation back to natural.

What was the intial reaction/responses of family, friends, co-workers?

My southern-born mother had a very tough time accepting my transition to natural in the beginning, especially the afro. She did not like the twist style I originally sported because there was no form (style) to it, but she loves the two strand twist nubian twist extensions I sport now because I wear a short/medium layered bob style, which makes all the difference. My siblings readily accepted the change back in 2003, even though I have a badd brother who is a hair stylist who can do flyy relaxer styles and cuts. My brother Tu-Tall made hairstyling an art. He is very gifted in hair, but I knew the detrimental effects of relaxing with chemical products. My mother transitioned from relaxed hair sometime in 2008 and currently uses Vigorol. I influenced my baby sister to try a natural hair style and she did but the final results (the hair was not the right texture for her facial features and complexion and it was a horrible mess). Thus, she immediately returned back to relaxers and has been its friend since...Her hair has thinned and shedded badly since that time and now she covers up with sewn in Euro weave--this breaks my heart. I believe if she tried my current hair stylist who is excellent in discussing natural hair care products and textures of hair, extensions, etc., she would be more willing to try going natural again. I believe my sister is frightened to try natural again. I have worked predominantly with white folk and they are somewhat quiet and raise eyebrows...My boss made a comment back in 2006 that I looked "scary." I allowed that comment to offend me to the point I returned back to relaxed hair, which I later regretted. A few co-workers will comment that they like the style but they are still suspect. I really do not care what my co-workers think about my hair because I am not my hair. The fact that I am a high producer and I am cordial to "them" and make them feel comfortable with me makes all the difference. A black woman with a natural hairstyle frightens "them."

Did you notice a confidence boost or other personality changes?

Yes, I am more confident.. I get a lot of friendly glances and stares by people of different races and ages. I feel beautiful. I am transitioning to a bohemian/gypsy look to represent my hairstyle.....natural, free flowing..and later on colorful (must add color in the spring/summer months).

What do you like or dislike about your hair?

It thins in one area on top of my head but, fortunately because I am wearing nubian twist extensions, it is hidden very well. My goal is to allow the twist to loc or wear 2-strand twists for a couple of years while my hair grows out and then all natural for real--no extensions, etc.

What is the response to your hair style now?

I have received a lot of compliments, especially from blacks--very few from white people--but I am naturally and soulfully me.

Check out Sherriet at her blog and let her know you enjoyed her story.

Majestic Divas SC Interview

Picture from google

Hello,
I am a twisted dread wearer and lovin it. I am also an author penning a book titled "Don't Dread, Dreads" and I need a few people to share their experience with dreads.

When did you start your dreads and why?

I started my Loc Jan 10, 2008. I've always been a fan of natural hair, and I've always love dread loc's. I was told by many stylist that my hair would not loc.. When I found a stylist that took the time to train my hair and go through the journey with me I was happy. I've always been happy with my decisison to loc..

What were the intial reaction/responses of friends, family, and co-workers?

No one liked it.. When I came home my kids blurted out " mom, you look like a boy! " you are bald headed. ** I've always had shoulder length hair- very long and relaxed.. my kids werent use to seeing me with short or tightly coiled hair **

Did you notice a boost in confidence or any other personality changes?

Yes, I felt very empowered and had a re newed sense of strength.. All of my fellow dred wearers embraced me and gave me loads of helpful tips. I almost immediately changed my diet- eating my organic, and going Au' Naturale ( with hair products, body products and food). I also started making my own products and eductating myself on Natural hair.

What do you like or dislike about your hair?

My hair is super curly.. Although most of my hair is loc'ked some are very curly and my roots are wavy and curly

What are the reactions now to your hair?

very nice comments.. again, my hair is curly so my locs are curly and when I wear them in a pont tail my roots are waved and curly whick gives a " different" look.

Check her out at her blog and let her know you appreciated her sharing her story.

Miss Sixx author of Au Naturale Blog

Diva Smooches and Sisterly Hugs!!
Miss Sixx, President
Majestic Divas Social Club

" WOMEN EMPOWERING WOMEN"

Check out our website and sign the guest book: www.majesticdivas.org

Visit Majestic Divas on Myspace:
www.myspace.com/majesticdivas_sc

Become a friend on Facebook and follow us on twitter!
***********************************************
Follow my blog on my Natural Hair/Loc Journey Au- Naturale by Miss Sixx
http://missnaturale.blogspot.com

Join my online yahoo group for Natural Hair....
Au_Naturale@yahoogroups.com
**********************************************
Check out my
Gourmet Deviled Egg Website**
http://thedeviledegggourmet.webs.com
*********************************************

Ansylla's Story

Photo from google pictures


This is an interview conducted with Ansylla who rocks a great hairstyle. I appreciate her openess to share with us and hope you find her story inspiring.

When did you decide to go natural and why?

In 1996, I noticed that my mother, grandmother and an aunt all had seriously thinning hair. All I could think was, “I AM NOT trying to be bald at 40!” At the time I was wearing my low cut hair texturized, primarily for convenience. I had just moved to DC and learned of a natural hair show at Howard University presented by Cornrows & Co. Now, this was pre-Mapquest and I had no idea how to get to Howard University. But I headed to DC and after getting turned around…and around…and around, I made it when the show was about half over. When I arrived…Man! The natural styles were breathtaking. I had no idea natural hair could be so beautiful. At the end of the show, Pamela Ferrell said, ”We have considered relaxing our hair as a rite of passage. But we didn’t stop to think what would happen if we never did.” That had such an impact on me. That was the day I went natural. I’ve never used a straightening chemical on my hair since. (This was written when I was a guest blogger on Kinnks.com. I hope that's ok.)


What was the intial reaction/responses of family, friends, co-workers?

I was the first in my close circle of friends to go natural. They seemed ok with it. I can't say that I remember much negativity. My mother is the only family I lived near at the time and she had no problems with it AT ALL. However….my first trip to see my family in New Orleans, was different. They weren't too thrilled. They were speechless actually. No one really said much, but I got strange looks from family and strangers. But I didn't care. I was committed. I'm proud to say that one of my aunts and her two teenage daughters have since loc'ed their hair.


Did you notice a confidence boost or other personality changes?

I wore my loose natural hair for about 7 years and I’ve been loc’d for the past 6. Going natural was very empowering. But loc’ing was liberating. In my opinion, self acceptance is vital. And going natural was a major step in my personal growth.


What do you like or dislike about you hair?

There isn't anything that I dislike about my hair, but it would be nice if my hair were denser. I like big hair, I just wasn't born with it. But as for my locs, I love everything about them.


What is the response to your hair style now?

Though I've been loc'ed for over 6 years, I cut my locs into a bob in Sept 2008. In June 2009, I cut them even shorter. This time in an assymetrical cut with a shaved portion at the nape. LOVE IT! I did that just to show the versatility of locs. People sometimes think locs are limited because they are often just worn very long. But locs are as stylish and versatile -- if not more so -- than any other hair style.



Check her out and let her know you enjoyed her story.



Ansylla
Holistic Hair & Advanced Loc Techniques Workshops
www.myhairitage.com

Living and Loving the Natural Way

Hello, fellow dread lovers.

It must be said we natural hair wearers are a rare and special breed. We take command of any space we enter. There is a sense of mystery about us and a confidence that runs deeper than mined ore. There are many sites which feature our uniqueness and boldness when it comes to hair styles.

I encourage all of you out there to live as unconstrained in your life as your hair is unconstraied. Don't compromise or let any negativity stop your flow. Love as caring and attentively as you do with your hair care. Show the world tat you are more than superficial beauty, which you can do well also, but a body that embodies a passionate individual voice that can grab your attention and hold it for more than a few minutes.

On this site, show me who you are and why you are living and loving free. What do your dreads mean to you and what do you think they mean to others around you?

Chris Rocks movie spoke volumes but you have your own story. Post pics and comments for all to view. I know there are some divas out there and I say, I'm lovin it.

Look forward to your posts and tell a friend.