For those who don’t know, I am a math teacher at a high school. I enjoy my time in the classroom and having conversations with my students. Some have even trusted me with information that’s personal to them. Well, one of my students confided in me about something that is still very much bothers me.
One of my students are getting bullied verbally for many reasons. One that sticks close to home is her natural hair. She appears to have 4C hair and some students don’t understand why she does her hair the way she does. She does many styles without edge control, which is not a bad thing… but it is to her peers. What bothers me the most is the fact that the ones who are bullying her are black young ladies (like me and her). The good thing is that she’s confident in herself and loves her self; so self-confidence isn’t an issue! However, what does bother her is the bullying. I told her my thought (without being biased) and the course of action she should take. I hope it changes soon.
Our conversation that day still bothers me and it’s only been a week. I still can’t get over the fact that young people still get bullied. Moreover, young black girls get bullied by other black girls. Nevertheless, I did come up with two reasons that could possibly be the culprit.
We are living in a Natural Hair Movement of empowerment and we encourage many women to go natural. I think some black girls want and desire to have natural hair, but they want the “pretty/good” kind of natural hair. Ya know… the kind with curly curly hair (3 type) versus the coily/kinky hair with “really nappy roots” (4 type) even though it doesn’t naturally grow on their head… but here’s my issue:
WHERE ARE GIRLS GETTING THIS FROM???
It may be due to what the media portrays or what they look at on YouTube. I wish I would tell them all to love and embrace YOU and what you got. There’s only one you, so don’t be a copy. God gave you your hair for a reason; so love on it.
Another reason I could think of is that black girls (not all) were conditioned at a young age that their hair is too kinky and nappy and you can’t put a comb through it. Therefore, mothers immediately go for the relaxer box in order to make it easier to manage. I’m sure there’s more to it, but that’s all I got outta this *shrugs* I don’t think there’s anything wrong with a mother wanting to give their child a relaxer because they’re the ones who are taking care of their daughter’s hair… but here’s my issue:
We take away the opportunity for them to see their natural roots. Many people don’t realize that their hair is going to be tangled sometimes, appearing to people as “nappy”. It’s suppose to be crazy big sometimes. It’s suppose to stand out and give a young black girl confidence. Our texture of hair is very unique and I wish I knew that growing up… but I don’t dwell on that thought because I do now 😁 Giving my hair the big chop 12/2/2014 was one of the best things I’ve ever done because I discovered more of the beauty in my face and in my skin. I also noticed my eyes and how they’re shaped.
I was blessed with a mother who told me (since I was born) that I was beautiful. So you couldn’t tell me anything… and honestly… ya still can’t *shrugs*. Unfortunately, many young black girls get picked on about their natural hair on a daily basis. Many have zero confidence in themselves.
It hurts to hear that many women and young girls didn’t have that discovery like I did a while ago. Where is the love? The uplift? For once in my life I now have an understanding of what many refer to as the Natural Hair Movement. It really is a movement.
Oh and another thing: Punishing girls due to their hairstyle doesn’t help a young girl’s confidence AT ALL. It deprives them of their learning. Saying their hair is “out of uniform” baffles me… especially when it’s from my own people, whether in the code of conduct or not. But hey, what do I know? *begins to sip that good Oolong tea*
Everyone is entitled make a choice for themselves: either natural hair or nah. I’m biased about natural hair and I’ll always tell someone to try it for themselves. If they chose to stick to what they know, I’m not gonna hate them. I’ll always try to encourage people to love and appreciate their God-given features and body parts.
Natural Girls Rock. My Black is Beautiful. Black Girls Rock. Team Nappy Roots is what I choose *tosses mic to the next queen* Let’s uplift our young princesses who will become queens someday.
That’s all 😊 Take care!
~ Live Laugh Love~