My Hair Story

Hair - such an interesting part of one’s identity. Especially for a person of color. I remember the first time someone said something about my hair that affected me. I was about 11. He said the following to me. Why does your hair curl up in a ball like that? It’s so different. I just remember not being able to process what I just heard. 

I mumbled some explanation to try and explain why hair was the way it was. I  felt so inferior because I felt like my hair made me less than so I went home and asked my mom to help me straighten my hair. 

I wanted it to look like some of the *NSYNC and Backstreet Boys guys. Haha. 

My mom looked at me and said Akintayo this is your hair and it’s just as beautiful as anyone else. It took a while for me to be ok with my curly ball of hair but you know what, I love it now. If you’re a parent, CEO, colleague, friend or curious individual, are you aware of how some questions you ask or policies you have are laden with messages that dictate how people treat others?

Two more questions depending on who is reading this:

• Are you someone that tries to get others to change something about themselves to fit YOUR set of rules or what you perceive as normal?  
• Are you someone who is ready to embrace her individuality, strength and identity? 

Use your DIFFERENCE to make a DIFFERENCE!