There were many wonderful memories that were created at this year’s NAAF Conference but there is one special moment that left me at a loss for words and eyes filled with tears.
True beauty shining through!
True beauty shining through!
We all know that hair loss can negatively impact your self esteem no matter who you are. Man, woman, boy, girl, black, white, rich or poor, hair matters. I contend that you never truly realize how important your hair is to you until you start to lose some. The pain of the loss is a universal feeling and it connects those who are dealing with it, which is why the NAAF Conference is so powerful and important.
“We have the power to heal each other’s pain.” – SDG
During the conference, I had the pleasure of connecting with many wonderful people from all walks of life but then something happened that I could not have expected. I looked up to find a group of African American women who were bald like me. As a first time attendee at a NAAF Conference, this was a new experience for me. I found comfort in seeing my reflection in the faces of these women. We stood there admiring each other’s beauty and in that moment there was a spirit of peace that came over each of us. It was an indescribable feeling that brought us all to tears as we stood holding hands and hugging one another. I believe that we were releasing a deep rooted pain that we did not even realize was there. The feeling was unspoken yet understood. We stood together in the spirit of love and we celebrated our collective triumph over stereotypes and low self-esteem. Looking at one another, we understood more than ever that we were lacking nothing. Our beauty was intact and our vision was clear.
Black hair is……
As an African American woman, I believe that our relationship with hair is especially unique. Given our history from slavery until today, black women have had great challenges in finding our rightful place in what society advertises as the standard of beauty. At first we were told that our skin was too dark. We had to learn to embrace and appreciate the many shades of brown we encompass. This was a challenge in society and even within our own families. We were told that our bodies were too curvaceous and we had to learn to appreciate our hips, our lips and curves. Over the years, those attributes have become not only acceptable in mainstream media but the object of their desire. While most of the world has now awakened and recognized our natural beauty, the issue of black hair still seems to be on the table. “Good hair” or “bad hair”, black hair has been a symbol of strength, pride and yet ridicule. Our hair has a history and a legacy all it’s own that we hold dear. From afros to dread locks to NO locks, we now stand in this new bald identity. Our pride is not based just on the color of our skin, but given our challenges, it comes from our God given strength within.
The truth is:
“In the big scheme of things, it really does not matter if you are black, white or other; for EVERY color is beautiful when you are looking through the eyes of love at another.”
Say it loud, I'm bald and I'm proud!
Write in and share your moment of truth. I love and look forward to hearing from you!
The fact that the adult American Negro female emerges a formidable character is often met with amazement, distaste and even belligerence. It is seldom accepted as an inevitable outcome of the struggle won by survivors, and deserves respect if not enthusiastic acceptance.
~ Maya Angelou
I embrace and enthusiasticly accept my survivorship. I am no hero. I am simply standing in the place where I was born to stand. My flight is inevitable. Thank you for reminding me that my hair or lack there of is not a definition of who I am at heart. Nor does imy lack of hair prevent me from soaring. Sandra, keeping rising, keep soaring. You are beautiful. I am fortunate to have met you and Julia. True beauty will always shine through.
Dido my friend. Amen and Dido:)
Leave it to Maya Angelou to find just the right words to say. Thank you for sharing that quote.