Afro State of Mind:
Memories of a Nappy Headed Black Girl
Introduction
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Excerpt: Introduction
Memories of A Nappy Headed Black Girl
In the summer of 2004, I washed my hair to get ready for the International African Arts Festival (“IAAF”). As I rinsed the conditioner out of my thick and tangled kinky hair, I couldn’t decide whether to style my hair in fat two strand twists or to pick it out into an Afro.
On that particular day, I was leaning towards the Afro. By that point, I had worn my hair natural for several years and like many Black women, I looked forward to being in places like the IAAF where I could be surrounded by other natural hairstyles. As many nappy-headed Black women can attest, there are not many spaces where Black women receive an astounding amount of positive feedback from the public about our hair. So with that thought in mind – I began picking out my Afro with a more than just a hint of excitement.
Sometimes, you just need to feel the power that comes from walking around under a cloud of big, poofy hair. Those are the days when I can relax in the blissful feeling that comes from being fully at peace with myself. I call these moments my “Afro state of mind.“ A quick smear of lip-gloss, some extra primping in the mirror and a short while later my husband and I headed out to enjoy Brooklyn’s Black Mecca.
At the time, I had no idea that this one decision – whether to wear my hair in twists or to pick it out into an Afro – would change my life the way that it did. I was completely oblivious to the fact that choosing to wear that Afro would result in my picture being sent as a gift to the White House for President Barack and First Lady Michelle Obama. I had no clue that images of me wearing that Afro would be featured in exhibits on Black hair or show up on websites promoting the natural hair movement. It was impossible to know then, that wearing my hair in that style on that day would open doors I didn’t even know were closed. Until that day I was just a nappy-headed Black girl learning to love my hair. My life has not been the same since.
But wait. I’m getting ahead of myself. Let’s get back to the festival…
…Over the past fifteen years, I have been blessed to examine the history of “nappiness,” prevailing concepts of beauty and how those concepts impact women of color both here in the United States and abroad. And boy what a history it is! There is one lesson that stands out above all the rest: Black women across the globe may have unique hair experiences but there are some universal nappy hair beliefs that shape our collective identity.
This book challenges some of those beliefs and encourages our sisters and members of the global community to embrace and value Black women just as we are: nappy, beautiful and exactly the way God intended.
Afro State of Mind:
Memories of a Nappy Headed Black Girl
Afro State of Mind is available now:
Click here to grab your e-book: Afro State of Mind: Memories of a Nappy Headed Black Girl
Click here to grab your print copy today!