Why it's more than 'Just Hair'

Hello My name is April and I'm The Natural Type.

I call myself that because upon returning natural in my haste to "spread the good news" I ran across women who said they'd rather not "go natural" because they weren't the 'type' to do so. Of course that confused me instantly because your hair isn't something that is given to you by request. Every feature and pore in and on our body is naturally determined by genetics. So the way we're born is indeed the 'type' of person we are. It's like someone who is of Asian decent saying they're not the "Asian Type' or someone who happens to be tall saying they're not the "tall type".

My thought process just couldn't comprehend what I was hearing and so I decided I'd slowly step back and be the change I want to see in this world. I know natural hair isn't a "Black Thing" because ANYONE who refrains from using chemicals on their hair and body can be consider natural. But we've deemed it as our personal definition for a woman with textured hair who embraces and cares for it without the use of relaxers and other harmful chemicals as being "a natural".

That being said I am certainly the type of woman to 'be natural'. I am certainly the type of woman who embraces my kinks, coils and naps. And most importantly I am certainly the type of woman who will openly and lovingly spread the good news to all of my sisters and brothers who are willing to hear and learn from what I have been through on this beautiful and rewarding journey.

For me it will always be more than just hair. How can something carrying my DNA be just an "accessory"? How can I give it so little meaning and respect as to say that I didn't care how my daughters perceived it? Beyond that how can I be a woman of color and not embrace all of me in it's entirety? I have a job to do as a mother, a sister, a friend, and a black woman. I believe a nation of women that can hold their heads up without shame or indifference towards their natural beauty can and will change the strength and prosperity for the betterment of that nations future.


Just imagine... a people that holds no doubt in their beauty... holds no doubt in their natural perfection... holds no doubt in their IDENTITY... Do you know... how unstoppable they'll be?

We are Perfection. Some of us Just don't know it yet.