We all have heard the saying “long hair don’t care” but don’t shorthaired girls rock too? Maybe I’m a little biased since last March I made the decision to do the BIG CHOP. I was already natural and had long hair all my life, but I reached a point where long hair became so cliché. Whether is was store bought, imported from over seas or grew naturally many females were raised to believe long hair was “beautiful.” Well, I’m here to tell you that’s far from the case. We have all heard someone with long hair get approached and the conversation goes a little like this “Oh my gosh your hair is so pretty and long. What are you mixed with?” Ladies lets cut the profiling in 2016. Dominique Burns says “I feel that hair is hair. Whether it’s long or short, all of it is beautiful. It’s all about the way you style it. Essentially it’s an expression of yourself and the confidence you have. If you want to rock a short and sassy look go for it, but if long locks your thing, don’t be afraid to weave it up as well”
Growing up I remember Saturdays being hair days. The long process started with my mom parting my hair, combing it out, washing and conditioning, blow-drying and (my least favorite part) hot combing. My mom would slap an object down on the table and in her firmest voice say “keep still and look at this or we’ll be doing this ALL DAY!”
Not quite sure long hair is so glamorized, but I can name several celebrities with short hair who are at the top of their game. Viola Davis, Lupita Nyong’o, Halle Berry and Solange are A-list celebrities who are thriving on and off the camera with short hair. In 2006 India Arie released her hit single I Am Not My Hair featuring Akon. In this song Arie describes her journey as a woman while Akon describes a man’s perspective and the different challenges they faced with each style. The main goal they were trying to convey was their sex wants to be defined by more than their hair.
I think the reason long hair is becoming female “hair goals” is for two reasons. First is that’s what shown in the media and on many television shows. For example viewers nationwide gather around and tune in to the second episode of America’s Next Top Model where the contestants get makeovers. You see the mixed emotions on their face and hear it in their confessionals when they express their distaste and state their preferences on what style would suit them best. I also think women naturally seek acceptance from men. Almost a year after my big chop some of my close guy friends still ask me “Marah when are you going to grow your hair back?” I tastefully respond, “Never I love my short cut and I think I look pretty good with it.” I have over heard my peers say on several occasions say “bae loves my hair” so I can only think to myself “well what if he didn’t?” Who doesn’t want to look good for their significant other? However at the same time you simply can’t appease other people at all time. Somewhere down the line women started to put what men wants before their own preferences. Many women see hair but specifically long hair as a safety net. When they’re having a bad day, when their eyebrows may not be on “fleek” they still have their hair to hide behind.
Hair is just hair it should never make you who you are. Short hair doesn’t make me who I am but helps me embrace my natural beauty. I feel free and invincible with my new cut. I am not my hair rather my hair helps to make me… Me.