Don't let my hair stress you!

Apparently, people are very preoccupied with hair these days. If you choose to relax your hair you are perceived to be ashamed of your black heritage and if you choose to keep your hair natural you are classified as being unprofessional, I've heard individuals speaking about how we don't like rules and we are turning away from how things were. Not because something was established in the olden days means it is still applicable today or holds any form of merit. In schools, children are being turned back simply because their hair is deemed unsuitable and that is simply a shame. When you send your children to school you send them to get an education and to grow as an individual but as parents you need to remember that schools will try to recondition what you have implemented at home. If a school tells a child that she should straighten her hair because her natural hair makes her look untidy the school is telling your child that her natural state is unsuitable and in order to be uniformed she needs to take on the European standard of beauty. 

As Jamaican women, too many times we hide our true selves just to simply move forward but it is full time that we start embracing our true selves and let those who oppose it change their thinking. I remember earlier this year when I was preparing for a job interview and I was told by friends that I should straighten my hair or get braids. When hiring people you should strive to hire people who are authentic and confident not people who will put on a mask just to fit in because that mask will eventually fall a part. My  hair is my hair and I am proud of how it grows from my scalp therefore if it stresses you that is your problem and no problem of my own. I will not cover my hair so I will look more professional to you. My abilities and attitude are what should sell me professionally. As a people we preach about how different we are. However. when we step out into the world we strip ourselves of what makes us unique to simply be in with the crowd. Who made these rules? Who dictates what is suitable and what isn't? Think for yourself and defend what you were naturally created with.