All This
Over Hair!
Last year I shaved my hair bald. It was very liberating but not
liberating enough for me to rock my bald head in public. I never wear wigs at home and lovingly call
them hats. They are the last thing I put
on before leaving the house and the first thing I take off when I get home.
A year later I have
enough hair to put 1978 Michael Jackson to shame. I decided it was time for me to let go and
let God. It was time to retire my wigs and wear my natural hair out in public.
The response from people has been different to say the least. I drive transit
buses in Atlanta so when I saw my co-workers and passengers I was amazed and
shocked by the responses about my hair.
I wore a wavy afro the first day. Most liked it but then I received this
comment from a male co-worker:
“Wow, love the natural!
Now let’s get a perm so that it will lie down.” He just said he liked my hair and now says I
should straighten it! He said he thinks
it would look better if it were straight.
It would fit my face better.
I begin my work day. None
of my passengers recognized me until I spoke.
(Now that was funny.) One of my
regular female passengers was staring at me like I was a criminal. (She’s in
her early 50’s.) Once she realized it was me she apologized for staring. When we arrived at her stop, she walked down
the aisle, stopped when she reached me, put her hand on my shoulder, stared,
and said, “What happened to your long, pretty hair?” She looked so concerned. I said to her, “It’s at home! I’ll tell my wig you said hello…” Once I she knew my wig was safe at home she
seemed relieved. Maybe she thinks I’m going through a phase. She told me that
she missed seeing me with my long hair, said goodbye, and got off the bus.
Wow!
When I got to Five Points in downtown Atlanta I was overwhelmed
by the positive responses. Never have I
been called sista as much as I did when I rocked my natural hair. As a matter of fact I’ve never been called
sista before. One thing that did
surprise me a little was the response I received from Caucasians; especially
the men. I was the go to girl. I see White people downtown all the time but
it seems that they were flocking to me.
I was greeted with wide smiles and hellos. They came to speak to me, asked
for directions, and the White men broke their necks to open doors for me. They
kept telling me how pretty my hair looked.
I felt like a celebrity.
The best thing about my first day rocking my natural tresses was
the responses I received from my passengers that also wear their hair
natural. They couldn't believe how much
hair I had and I received compliment after compliment. I feel they felt closer to me. The young men loved my hair and they flirted even
more than usual. I had to remind them
that I still don’t get down with child molestation.
My second day I wore afro puffs and a bang. The people that were put off by the afro were
more accepting of me looking like the 2012 version of Lady of Rage. All day people were telling me that I looked
like a little girl. I had not one
negative response.
One thing I have noticed is that there seems to be a big myth
out there about the natural hair scare.
I have read many books and magazine articles that say White people are
afraid of Blacks that sport their natural hair.
I didn't experience that at all.
The fear came from the African Americans. I was asked what made me go natural. “This is
my hair!” God gave me this hair and if
I’m ashamed to sport my God given hair then I must be ashamed of God.
I have worn braids, weaves, and wigs since I was 16 years
old. I am now 38. I can admit that I got caught up in the hair
hype and made more excuses than someone going to jail as to why I wouldn't wear
my hair out. We are free to wear our
hair anyway we want, but for me, I feel free.
My gray, thick, and coarse hair is mine, free of charge. Seeing that I was made in God’s image; I can
honestly say that rocking my natural hair makes me feel more beautiful than I
ever did wearing a wig.
© 2012 Tiffani Real
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