I was a little premature on my Loc Appreciation post last time but all is well.
Today is Loc Appreciation Day, June 25, 2012, enjoy your locs and someone else’s. The online loc community has put together some videos on YouTube and made t-shirts and other accessories.
Just search Loc Appreciation Day 2012 and you’ll find everything!
Stay happy nappy :)
Some of you might think, “it took growing you hair to realize and learn all that…?!
In almost every way, yes! Growing out my hair was not accepted by a lot of people, friends,acquaintances, family, society etc. I had to settle myself and anchor my soul. Without doing so, I would have turned back at any moment.
I typed much more but I deleted it. I guess what I really want for whoever reads this to understand is that I have grown a lot and will continue to. I’m not afraid to admit to who I am and to take responsibility for my thoughts, words and actions…
Over these past 16 months and 3 weeks, I have loved and hated this nappy, curly, kinky, coily, black mane, this natural crown upon my head. I’ve had my ups and downs and my joys and hardships.
I’ve learned and relearned a lot about myself good and bad. I learned that I care a lot about the way I look. The way other people perceive me. I’ve learned that I like attention, good and positive attention, it makes me feel good. I have learned that I care how people feel, and I hope that around me they can feel joyful, light and important. I have learned that in tough times, I can persevere, I can work hard. I have learned that I am a natural leader, I rise to the occasion not because I always want to and I want the glory, but because someone needs to, and I rather it be me that leads. I can handle being held accountable for the faults and downfalls and I have been taught to be humble when the praise comes. I have learned to endure through hatred and criticism even though it burns me up. I have learned that with hair or without hair I am expected to be great and to lead a life pleasing to and glorifying God. I am a servant of the people I lead and influence. I am a prince of fine men who were and are kings before me. I am the future of my family and my people as well as this nation and world.
I am a man of strong faith, a man who loves to dream, I love nature and the beauty of this world. I have been taught to be humble and to have humility. I am appreciative of my life and all the things I often take for granted. I am man who finds joy in being understood and appreciated. I love the thought of being in love. I hope one day I can actually truly love one woman commit to her, spending my life with the woman I love and raising beautiful babies. I am a man of pride and often times little patience.
I think, a lot, I’m intelligent and so because of this, I think I’m always right. I am competitive and in my mind I am the best in everything I do. I am passionate and do things with a fervor unmatched. I am a man who believes that my actions are always heard much clearer than my words; and that my word is bond, even when I wish to deny them. I am a man that believes character will always outlast reputation (even though deep down inside I want to be accepted, I want to be loved). I am not satisfied in what I’m becoming, for tomorrow what I was yesterday, is not good enough for the challenges that lay before me today. I am lazy at times, but only because in some way I have lost sight of the reason I work hard. I dream because no possibility is out of reach. I believe in purpose because coincidence and probability are for people with little faith, people who do not want to accept what has been placed in front of them. I am man who believes that in every trial and tribulation, there are always blessings, and at the end of every fire there is the beginning of something new and more refined. I am a man who knows nothing…a man searching for wisdom, a man that yearns to be a man after God’s heart, a man of many mistakes and many flaws, I am a man who understands his exact time on earth is unknown but I do know it is brief. I am just a man, but I will achieve greatness, I will achieve it and I will instill it in the minds and lives of many generations to come. Not my will but God’s alone.
You ever think about making a decision so much, it’s almost an obsession. I mean you imagine yourself and how this decision influences your life. You do your research you plan and you set your mind to whatever decision you plan to make.
I made a choice…
I started my loc journey July 15, 2010 (my last haircut); I didn’t know it then. I was on my way to Barbados to study abroad. I got down there and I saw so many beautiful people with beautiful locs. I was learning so much about myself and my people and our history and it just engulfed me. I told myself I was going to take a journey a spiritual, emotional, physical journey.
For 7 months I grew my fro out, I loved my fro! I loved its curls and how it tangled and the way I looked. I loved my peace. But I knew I had to move forward.
I loc’d up February 4, 2011. When I looked in the mirror after she was done parting and starting me off, I was hurt. I went in blind and didn’t ask many questions, she had started me off with two strand twist when I was sure I would have comb coils.
But I didn’t turn back, I researched two strand twist, I embraced it and I took pride in my journey because it was mine to have, to own and I knew I had to keep pushing…
Good Morning and Happy Fathers Day!
I’m just getting home from church, I tell you the funniest and sometimes irritating things take place at my church.
I’m walking on the sidewalk with my father, talking on our way to the car. We see a guy who we know and he comes up to me and says, “man I’m digging the hairstyle. To bad you’ll be cutting it of soon, got to get that job.”
-_____- (no response)
After opening his mouth and spewing the ignorance I abhor, I say “no I will not.” He looks at me confused and shocked, then at my father trying to receive some confirmation or validation about his un-welcomed comment. He receives none.
He continues, “wait so your still in college, what sophomore, junior?”
I answer, “No I actually just graduated.”
“Oh okay congrats, what’s your plans?”
“I just got accepted to work for the National Program in AmeriCorps, I plan to do that for a few years then go back and get my doctorates and teach at the college level.”
He looks at me and not letting the “hair thing” go, remarks, “Well I guess you won’t have to cut the hair after all.”
-_____- (I don’t respond)
Bougie black folk, that’s that stuff I don’t like! Lol!
I have locs and never have I missed an opportunity or not been blessed with things. I serve a God who is not a respecter of person and does not adhere to this worlds social standards. Whatever God has for me, that I will have!
It saddens me when black people find it in their hearts and mind to make ignorant statements or comments. Just because you find it important to shave your head and look just like Uncle Sam, don’t mean I do.
I’m black and I know who I am and I have full confidence in where I came from and where I’m going. I ain’t going to tap dance for these white folk and I’m sure not going to tap dance for no black folk either.
I’m on a journey and the locs are apart of my journey…
Word of advice, don’t open your mouth to speak your opinions, unless your opinions have been asked for. Lastly don’t ever change yourself to fit in or be accepted. Standout, the view is always better!
Much Love, Peace and Blessings!
P.S. has anyone else dealt with similar situations, shoot me your stories, opinions and feedback!
The cowrie shell on my loc at the bottom represents the completion of a chapter in my life (college).
Playing around with ps express…16 months and 2 weeks in the game
Locs
A believer and follower of Christ the Savior. 22. Intellectual. Goofy. A Leader. VCU Alum. Locs. I love to read, its a passion, I love writing poetry, photography, bowling and traveling.
