So I was thinking…yes, I realize that is a dangerous
construct for me but I did it anyway. I was thinking about a song that India Arie
sang, “I Am Not My Hair”. The premise of the song was very simple, but
powerful. She sang about her process of “going natural”. For those of who are
unfamiliar with what it means to ‘go natural’, it is a transitional period
where many individuals who have used processing and chemicals to relax their hair
and achieve a smooth, silky, European look, reverse the process and return
their hair to its natural state. In essence, she was stating that she is far
more than her hair. Her hair, and rather or not it is straightened, doesn’t
define her success, character, or anything worthwhile. Unfortunately, too many
people don’t understand this concept. I didn’t.
For a long time, I believed I had to straighten my hair to
be accepted in the world. If my natural kinks and curls showed, I felt I wouldn’t
be as successful as I could be. I was brainwashed. I was truly defined by my
appearance. What I didn’t realize at the time was my hair didn’t really create definitions
for me. I had allowed the world and its judgments and standards, to define me.
How many of you are guilty of the same thing? How many of
you have allowed the world to define your standard of living? How many of you
have taken on the beliefs of the world in a ‘go along to get along’ kind of
fashion? Please understand I am not judging you. I am much like you.
Fortunately though, I have come to understand that the world is a funny place.
Values, morals, beliefs, standards of living and social norms are all
situational. These concepts are defined by what society deems relevant to the
time.
For example, in ancient days, men were measured by the
amount of wives they could carry. Today, a man is penalized for the same value.
I am, in no way, espousing to follow either. Rather, I am illustrating that as
time “progresses” ideas do the same. So what that means for the people within
this world is, if we allow the world to clothe us, we also allow the world to
puppeteer us and control our actions.
When I woke up, literally and figuratively, I stopped being
who the world wanted me to be. I stop wearing the masks of fear, doubt, strain
and situational integrity. I am not finished. I am not perfect. However, I am
awake. I realize that I am what I wear. Thus, if I want to be a change agent, I
must wear those clothes. I cannot allow the world to shackle me in their
garments. This does not mean that I am an entity onto myself either. I can and
should surround myself with people who will uplift me and wear the same type of
clothing that I bear. Change is inevitable but there is choice as to what
change will occur.
What will you wear?
