Second Week Without Flat Iron

Today marks the end of my second week without flat ironing my hair.......I've had mixed comments and mixed emotions. When I'm at home, I'm beyond comfortable. My wonderful husband keeps remarking about how beautiful I look and how much he digs my hair. He's being honest, and it means so much that he can accept and support my journey towards becoming fully natural. The girls at school are also mostly supportive. They are wonderful people who, even though they may not quite understand what's going on with my hair, take the time to tell me how different and awesome they think it is.....Then comes reality of living in the suburbs. I've also been told its unprofessional. That I should straighten it immediately if I expect clients to allow me to do their hair. I "should have a look that they want if I want to be taken seriously". I've been told my hair is "too big" and I need a relaxer because I "don't have the hair type to be able to go natural"....Really? Sigh....

My journey isn't for anyone else but me. However, I'm not going to pretend like the negative feedback doesn't irk me. It does! The fact that people can think they aren't stereotypical, they don't discriminate, and aren't racist, but can look at me in my face and say (without saying) that in order for me to look presentable, my hair has to be straight, is almost a contradiction. Is this the reason why black women are scared to give up relaxers? Is Society really is saying "You can be a strong, fierce, black woman.....but your hair better not be too ethnic."

Its a good thing I am comfortable being who I am, that my husband's love for me is true, and that I don't cater to how other's feel I should look.....Otherwise, this whole process would be shot. Kudos to all the women who have done this before me, and to those who are doing it now. Apparently, you don't have to just be patient while your hair is growing out, you also have to be tolerant of other people's reactions. Weak.