"LOC" journey. Where better to start than here :-)
I have been on this journey since the ripe ol' age of 6. My mom actually decided to loc my hair and I'm so glad she did because I absolutely LOVE them. It's one of the many things that we share as mother and daughter. People have questioned me about her decision to loc my hair at such a young age being as though the process to un-lock them is not an easy task. She made the decision to loc my hair as she would with any other decision that she would have to make as a mother. She decides what food she'll prepare, or what schools I'll attend, or if she will or will not immunize me, so why would a decision about hair be any different?
I have had to overcome a lot of mixed reviews towards my locs. People from all walks of life seem to have an interest in MY hair. It always seems to be a talking point. My hair always seemed to pique the interest of classmates at school, teachers, strangers and even a few friends. To some people, locs as I call them (because there's nothing dreadful about them) are not socially accepted. People see them as a hairstyle that is unkempt, untidy, not neat in appearance and just downright disgusting. I beg to differ. I have learned to truly embrace my locs. It's MY hair, its natural, free from chemicals, and last I checked, my locs haven't done anything to harm anyone. They are an artform. They come in all shapes, sizes and colors. Locs are beautiful, majestic, and pure awesomeness!
Classmates that don't understand black hair would ask me on a daily basis why I don't get tired of the same hair style. Don't you want to try something different with your hair, they would ask. They often suggested that I straighten my hair like theirs. Understanding their lack of knowledge and lack of appreciation for the beautiful thickness and curliness of black hair, I would simply respond by saying, there's no need for me to change my hair. I won't say that it wasn't annoying, because it was. Plus, because of the way that I was raised, I just couldn't see myself so concerned about the way someone wants to wear their hair. There are much bigger fish to fry. I LOVE my locs and I can be extremely versatile with the one hairstyle that I rock. I can put them in a bun, I can wrap them with beautiful fabric and resemble a Goddess, I can wear bantu knots (although the last time I did this, I wrapped them too tight and I was not a happy camper), I can curl them, the possibilities are endless.
I don't think people have ill intentions when they bombard me with hair questions, I just think it's a lack of knowledge. But in the society that we live in today, lack of knowledge is not an excuse. Educate yourself on black hair if you're THAT interested. However one experience that I had with an elderly substitute was kind of rude. She said, "I was at the ball field the other day and there was a guy with locs in front of me who looked very nasty and gnats and bugs were swarming around him." She then said, "So how do you wash your hair, do you even wash it?" I wanted to give her the mean face and storm away, but because I was always told to respect my elders, I politely said "Yes I wash my hair, just like you!"
When I heard this question, I was taken aback. Trust me, I have been asked a lot of ignorant questions, but this was just down right disrespectful. I honestly believe that she could have left the first part out about how nasty and disgusting he looked, but I guess she was a teacher and I was a kid and she didn't feel the need to "hold her tongue," so I didn't either.
Do not be afraid to speak up, speaking up is imperative. Embrace who you are and educate people along the way. More than likely, if you have natural hair, you've probably had some of these same conversations.
My hair has always been a way for me to express myself. My hair gives me a certain self-confidence and aura of empowerment. But don't get it twisted, I am not my hair. I could be bald and still exude the same confidence...it's much bigger than hair! My hair is unique. While I've had tons of inquiring minds question my hair, I've had just as many, if not more compliment it. And when they approach me, you can tell that it's an authentic compliment! It makes me smile, but I'm confident enough in who I am that if no one ever complimented me about my hair, I would be absolutely fine. I was raised to have VERY thick skin, but that's a whole 'nother post. Even though people might not know the true concept or meaning behind locs, I do, and that's all that really matters. Locs represent the beauty in the struggle, the power and dominance while still being soft and gentle. It represents the contrast between soft and hard. It represents the unity of binding together. It represents me. And for the locs that I do have, I use them as antennas, as a closer connection to my Ancestors.
And these are my thoughts about my locs.