The funny thing about my natural hair journey is that doing the big chop was never a thought in my mind. But sadly, I was forced to cut it out of my own stupidity. I was livid (with myself) because I envisioned going natural differently. More specifically, I had planned to transition from permed ends to my natural naps. Unfortunately, (sorry to admit this) I, like many other Black girls, knew nothing about my kinky hair.
Why didn’t I do my Natural Hair big chop from the jump?
My natural hair journey started when I parted from my hood haven that is El Bronx. Heading off to college in a city that was mere miles from Canada, I figured the chances were slim to none in finding a hairdresser who knew how to style my 4C locks. But like many Black natural-headed women, I opted for box braids immediately. Looking back, I think I didn’t have the courage to do the big chop personally because I was afraid short hair would draw even more attention to my body. With no hair to hide behind, I felt vulnerable and I didn’t need to feel any more of that in a predominantly white school.
Like many uneducated natural hair enthusiasts, I had no clue what I was getting myself into when I went natural. A lot of my Black girlfriends are natural and I figured “I’m responsible enough to do my hair since I’m living that ‘College Life’.”
I was not (at all) responsible enough.
I Knew NOTHING About Black Hair
Grabbing the scissors was the moment I realized I was very out-of-touch with my kinky roots. I cut off all my hair unevenly. Who would have thought I was supposed to comb the hair out before washing it? But alas.
Since chopping off my hair in 2013 (wow, it’s been a whole six years) I still don’t really know a damn thing about my hair or how I should take care of it. But experimenting with afros, braids, wigs, puffs, and other natural hairstyles has lessened the hair hate I used to have.
On the sunnier side though, my natural roots have grown more than I ever thought they could when they were permed. Now seeing so many other beautiful Black women rock natural hair makes me feel like I’m a part of something that’s much bigger than my 4C kinks.
