I AM NOT MY HAIR? - CONNECT, A YANASISTERS PUBLICATION

LETTER FROM THE FOUNDER

Dearhearts,

I still remember the day when my beautician asked if I had been doing something different with my hair. The way she asked made me instantly know that whatever she thought I was doing wasn’t a good thing. And, as she parted my hair to show me the newly thinning spot in the crown of my head, I wanted to cry.

Actually, I did cry, both then and later.

I cried as I remembered my mom’s journey with alopecia, and her father’s journey with alopecia.

I cried as the dermatologist explained all the things we could try, but that likely would only slow down what she believed was inevitable.

I cried as I gave up my dream of being the girl with long, beautiful, natural locs that accentuated her eclectic flow.

I cried as a woman at a natural hair show told me that I shouldn’t wear a natural hair t-shirt if I was wearing extensions or a weave.

I cried after outings with other women, where natural hair care was often THE NUMBER ONE TOPIC; and I had nothing to contribute about which products I used on my store-bought ‘do.

I cried as, despite my best efforts (and lots of positive thinking), the small thinning section kept growing.

Then, one day I got tired of crying. I got tired of covering. I got tired of being afraid of... me.

So, in an act of full surrender — and because I am in a “warmer season of life” where my hair was threatening to suffocate me (lol) — I shaved it all off.

And guess what? On that day, I DID NOT CRY.

On that day, I rejected the notion that I need hair to be feminine, sexy, or beautiful. And I finally realized that beauty is in the eye of the beholder – and the most important beholder is ME!

Did I feel naked the first time I left the house with no hat (or hair)? Was I scared to log on to my first corporate call with my freshly shaved head? Do I sometimes still wonder if people are being kind when they tell me I’ve got the right face for this? Absolutely!!! But with each passing day, those things matter less. All I know is that for the first time in forever, I finally feel FREE.

And I know I’m not alone... Talking to other women has made me realize that although I often felt like I was the only one, my hair journey is not unique. Whether it’s coming to terms with alopecia, dealing with temporary hair loss due to another medical issue, being comfortable rocking a weave or wig that you love, or simply learning to love the straight, wavy, curly, kinky, relaxed, texturized, pressed, natural, twisted, braided, locked, long, short, shaved, or bald ’do that we’ve been blessed with — we’ve all been on a journey of self-love that likely started early in life and continues each day.

That’s why in this issue we’re talking openly about what our hair journeys have taught us. Every single share is a reminder that we shouldn’t be so quick to judge each other — and even more, that no matter what we choose to do with our hair, or what life chooses for us, the most important thing is that we learn not to judge ourselves.

Love and Light,

Imani

P.S. Thank you to Cozette, Gloria, Chanell, Nina, Shantell, Tanya and all of the other yanasisters who shared hair journeys in this issue!!!