How My Hair Is Intertwined With My Spiritual Journey: I’m Getting Locs!

It’s time for another fresh start

Point of view: It’s a gloriously sunny day. Not too hot where I’m dripping sweat and my forehead shines from a mile away, but warm enough where the sun just kisses my shoulders and the light breeze fills my lungs refreshingly. I’m waiting at the crosswalk in the city, any city, and a young Brown girl and her mother walk up beside me. I look down at her and she stares up at my big, full, kinky, curly ‘fro in awe. I smile and feel a mixture of badassery and warmth.

My hair has always meant more to me than just some dead follicles on the top of my head. Through the years I nurtured, cherished, and silently watched as my hair has grown and flourished. I have memorized every crimp and tried every style with my free natural afro. But to me, the experience is about more than just styling and length retention. From a young age, I likened my hair to my spiritual journey.

My first big chop was in high school. I’d had a perm which had split my ends and thinned my hair, but that wasn’t the only reason I decided to cut it all off. I’d just moved to a new school…