A F R O C H I C K M A G A Z I N E | Vol. 1 (December 2013) | Page 5

AFROCHICK|MAGAZINE5

a form of slave mentality, it was time for me to break the chains from my brain and do “The Big Chop…”
although the big chop for me was merely cutting off what was left of my perm.
At first, I was nervous. Not for my short hair to show (I had worn my hair Anita Baker short since—well,
that should be obvious) but for my naps to show. I braced myself for the criticisms I would receive—and
continue to receive—from other “creamy crack addicted sistahs. I joined “nappy” support groups and did
“nappy” research online for sound bites to get me through.
Then it happened. When the chop was over, I was afraid to look.
Unpredictably however, when my husband/stylist cut all the perm off my hair, immediately I felt different.
Beautiful. Suddenly, my confidence boosted, my back straightened and my vibration commanded respect.
I radiated immensely. I was one of the Winkies in the 1975 Broadway musical, “The Wiz,” when Dorothy
killed Evilene. “A Brand New Day,” written by Luther Vandross, became my theme song. The song was
about freedom and new possibilities. Going natural was my song for the single most liberating thing that I
had ever done as a black woman.
Now, instead of spending hours stressing over my hair, I get dressed faster. And each day, I feel an
internal “thank you” from my soul because my scalp feels so squeaky clean. My budget is better because
I’m not spending a lot of money on products and I have learned to make my own healthy hair products, so
the experimentation is a new fun!
I think the best thing about being natural is that it challenges you to take off other skins that you have
been a slave to for so long. Once the perm is removed, you want to remove the makeup. You want to eat
better, workout more, create more authentic bonds with people, not settle for a career that you no longer
enjoy. Being natural forces you to become your truth.

“Natural is more than Hair, what
we eat, what we do. It’s the beauty of
how God Made us and not being
afraid to show it. It’s our souls. Our
Beauty. Our Essence. Our Natural
is Dope!”
Quote By Naturallycurly.com