I am not my hair

Taken today at the WEB DuBois center

Maan! I got followers and comments! I know I am no professional blogger by any means but, I am definitely feeling myself right now :). So I want to talk a bit about my hair. I have been letting it grow. It was not my idea originally but after a friend recommended it I fell in love with the idea on the spot. I have always wanted to let my hair grow but, what is considered acceptable for people of color is that even steven or some rendition of a fade….boring! I tried in elementary school, I tried in high school, I tried in college. No matter the period of life I have attempted to alter the appearance of my hair I have been met with a negative consequence. Why can’t twist and braids and afros and locks be acceptable looks? Yeah, I know the answer to that, I am just venting. Anyway that is the 1^st reason I decided to let it grow, no consequences here. The 2^nd reason was I did not want to bring extra attention to myself while here. Because I am a Black American it is assumed that one of my parent’s is White, and of course “white means right”. I asked my students how ridiculous is that when I am darker than half of them? Well maybe more like a third, these are some “colored” mofos lol (Another story for another day). But yeah, they think you have money because you are a foreigner and I did not want to run the risk of being robbed so I chose to look like a bum (which has worked out flawlessly until I open my mouth). Concerned with my bummy look, today I was asked “Chris what is with your hair?” They have barbershops on every corner here and I look rough even by their standards (which are actually about the same as ours). So first I questioned to myself why she asked since she does not know me well enough to know how I usually carry myself, and then I simply replied “I am getting twist”. Well she said my hair was not long enough and I should get a perm to straighten it first. What?!?! So to naturally style my hair you want me to put chemicals in it! Let me think….NO. I was totally against it and before someone tries to put me on blast I will come on out and say it. I had an S-curl in high school LMAO, yeah it was 2001 but I kept it tight though lol! Anyway my hair has been coming up a lot these days so I thought I would share a few thoughts on where I am going with it. Long story short, I figured I would see some different hair styles while here, and I had hoped to get my hair long enough to try one.

My 1^st “This one time in Ghana” Story

This one time in Ghana I was with Hayford (Ghanaian organizer) and Megan (Canadian volunteer). Hayford had taken us to see this older lady who had taken a small business loan, I believe. Hayford and I got out the car first and they lady spoke in Twi. I did not reply because I did not understand. However, I did notice she gave me a look (kind of like eye rolling). So to ease her mood I said Menim (I don’t understand) then I said I speak English, but it was too late, she was already insulted. By this time Megan was getting out the car after me and the focus turned quickly to her, but not before I heard the lady angrily say “What Ghanaian can’t speak Twi?!” under her tongue. She was definitely offended but when she saw Megan her mood brighten as she went “American, American”. Megan corrected her with the quickness “Ca-na-di-an”! Who know Canadians hated being called American, lol? They are part of the continent after all. So anyway Hayford pointed towards me and said “He is American”. LMAO they just looked. My gosh! they were sooooooooo puzzled. “No, No, Noooo, No… he is not American!” And we laughed as the argument continued for a good minute. They assumed from my hair that I was just some poor local Hayford was helping out. Then they called me white boy (obruni) after they heard my American accent. AWWW! I WAS SO HURT. Ain’t that bout some stuff, first I am not African enough and then I am not Black enough!!! Sit back and think on that one. They pulled my Black card on a whole new level. Yeah my feelings were slightly hurt but it was all good.

Keep it real though, if I loose my passport between now and next week I am not getting out of this country! They will take one look at me in the American Embassy and be like “Naw, he isn’t one of ours”. Of course, that is assuming I even make it inside. The embassy guards would probably be like “Boy, get out of here wasting these nice white folks time…crazy street rat” lol.

BTW I hate the bum stage when you are letting your hair grow, too short to style and too long to brush. How long does it have to be for twist? I have at least an inch and I thought that was long enough :(

Thanks for listening friends