was so happy to see this message from someone ive known for years
she would always straighten her hair which is totally OK
but she would not only straighten it , but then she'd talk DOWN on her natural hair. she's latina (PR) and has tighter, bushier curls (not like the wavy "RIKUN!!!!" hair that TS Madison be playing with. lol her hair is closer to an afro texture.)
she would say it's "bad" and she hated it, etc.
i would GET on her about it. and always tell her i liked her natural hair way better than the straightened tea.
and I did that not only because i meant it (str8 hair is boring), but because i knew her straightening her hair didn't come from a place of JUST trying new styles.
it also concerned me a bit too cuz her hair is closer to an afro-tea, so it felt like a bit of internalized anti-African/Black-ness. so i side eyed it a bit, but i still approached her with love and not judgment. ultimately she was only talking about HER hair, not anyone else's.
but i didn't let it slide.
it made a difference. saw pics of her still rocking her beautiful natural hair to this day....and to see her credit me for that makes me so happy cuz it PROVES that our day-to-day interactions and calling things out (with LOVE and understanding) can make a difference.
