The big haircut!

My grandmother used to always say to me, “All that hair. Don’t EVER cut it.” I always assumed she knew some secret – like maybe once you cut little-Black-girl-hair it doesn’t ever grow back (a thought that absolutely terrified me). But then I grew up and grew out my relaxer and realized that my hair grows pretty darn fast. So I began asking myself this: why is it such a travesty for a Black woman with long hair to cut it short?

I’ve worn my hair long my whole life, most recently like this:

Not surprisingly, this ‘do attracted much attention from strangers – like the middle-aged woman with the crazy eyes who attempted to stroke my hair while waiting in line for the bathroom – but also from Black/interracial women like me that I've known for years. In fact, I’ve had more wonderful conversations with Black girlfriends about the pros of natural hair than I can count. So I guess I was a bit taken off-guard by the cringes and outbursts from these friends when I announced I was cutting my hair short.  Almost as if my haircut was a personal affront to Black women everywhere.

I always thought that wearing my hair natural provided me with freedom from hot irons and burning chemicals. But actually, it bound me in a different way by appointing me with a social responsibility that I neither anticipated nor asked for: the local face of big, bold natural hair. Funny how that works. But I think women – especially Black women – should afford each other with the luxury of choice.

So now my hair’s short! Like, super duper short. And someday it’ll be long again. But here’s what’s true: how I wear it will always be my choice. And cutting it was one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life thus far… as is being able to wash and dry it in 5 minutes flat.

Some shots from the cut, with stylist extraordinaire Jessy Lockward from G2O Salon in Boston.

Before! All big hair,  smiles, and excitement.

 

Ahh! The first snip!
 

Halfway through. I don't know if you can tell, but I'm kinda freaking out here. Maybe because at this point in the haircut I look pretty ridiculous.
 

The last little bit!
 

I decided to donate all my hair to Locks Of Love. I hope it makes someone happy.
 

Jessy putting on the finishing touches.
 

Startin' to dig it.

Comments

[monique]

I love it Ryan! I wore my hair short for years and it is sooo liberating. Now I have locs and that too is liberating. I'm proud of you and you look stunning!

[Kelly Lierzer]

You go Girl! Awesome Do.

[Stephanie Vincent]

Beautiful before, beautiful after :-)

[sara]

Was excellent . thanks .

[Anners]

totally pretty face and you can see it more with the new haircut ;)

[jen]

Pretty..

[Valerie Enzenbacher]

Hey I remember when you did this a few months back and it totally caught me off guard at the office. I think your hair looked fabulous though and I'm so glad you're giving it to Locks of Love. My younger sister is planning on doing the same thing soon. I wish my hair grew fast so I could do that...bummer. :( I don't think my hair will ever grow past my shoulders ever!!

Anyways, I just wanted to let you know that I read a few of your posts and I love them!! Keep it up! :)

[Suraiyah]

I know that I'm a year or so late, but I think your hair looks great long AND short! I am African-American and Latino, so I have REALLY curly hair too - similar to yours. I'd been perming my hair for years (not realizing that b/c of my hair texture, I didn't need to)and then I finally lopped it all aff and let it be natural. I gotta say - I've never gotten so much attention from men... And women! I lovedit! It was bold and sexy and extremely feminine. It brought out my face and was so easy to maintain. Enjoy your short hair. I had mine short for about 5 years. It's long and curly now, and I love it, but sometimes I still get the urge to take it all off again. It's just hair - do what you want! You're beautiful!