My New Growth ~ Curly Hair Relaxer Free ~

by Jaime
(Canada)

I have had my hair relaxed since 7th grade. I haven't seen my hair in its complete natural state in 15 years. My moms and grandmama used to say I had that "good hair". They thought that biracial hair was easier to work with than their African American hair, I guess. But when my moms died when I was 12, I went to live with my grandmama and, for the sake of convenience and her severely arthritic hands, she took me to the local beauty shop and had my hair relaxed. From that day I was hooked.

Then about three years ago when I moved to a new city and no one could believe my moms was Black and I was bi- racial, I started to really miss my moms and grandmama (she passed away too) so I wanted to get back to my roots (quite literally) and reconnect with the strong Black women who raised me. One way to do that was by getting my hair back to the way God and my Moms' genes intended.

These pics are for you Mom. I'm tired of 'passing'. I may not look much like you on the outside girl, but folks from the old neighborhood say I'm just like you on the inside. I got your heart. Your spirit. Your "ways about things" so they say. I love you...