Chioma // Natural Hair Style Icon

*Prepared for BGLH by Meosha Tall of 1MeNaturally

Chioma & her sister Amaka (left)

Where do you live?
C: I live in London, from Washington DC by way of Imo State, Nigeria.

What do you do?
C: I am a Human Rights Political Scientist.

Why did you make the decision to go natural?
C: I went natural in 2008. I cut my hair really short. It was still relaxed, but I liked the low cut and eventually allowed it to grow out. As it grew out, I so admired my natural texture that I could not put a lick of chemical on it. It was just so precious. My sisters are also naturals and my older sister (1 yr, lol) Ulonna, started first in our house. Now almost all of the 5 girls are natural. My younger sister, Amaka is also a beautiful natural and started her journey without doing the big chop and her hair is still growing!

In what ways (if any) has going natural affected you?
C: This is deep, but why is it that skin bleaching is so taboo in our community and perm/ weave is not? They both alter the phenotype (appearance) of our natural state. Truth is, there’s a mass hypnosis targeted to certain groups of people to keep them “one” step behind. How? Target the women. If the people’s women are distorted, the group will not survive: psychologically, socially, etc. Think about it, a Black woman does not buy the yaki because she likes that type of hair better. No. She does this simply because she wants what is on her head to do what she sees. In mainstream media, magazines, etc. She masters it (in fact, at times better that the original hair grower, lol). But still subconsciously having to mimic what she sees (as stated above, “one” step behind).

How would you describe your hair?
C: My hair is coarse and beautiful. My hair type is towards the 4c side.

What is your regimen?
C: My regimen includes washing with Natural Roots Organic shampoo (has no detergents). Then I condition with Nubian Heritage Coconut conditioner. I deep condition with Olive Oil Deep Conditioner and cover for about 10 minutes. I hydrate with shea butter, and coconut oil, black seed oil as well as almond oil. Then I style as I desire.

What mistakes have you made with your hair that you’ve learned from?
C: Tight braids at the temple are not healthy for hair no matter how strong your hair is. Constant pulling will result in damage and loss.

What’s the best/most effective thing you do for your hair?
C: Washing it with coconut conditioner using raw coconut oil, deep conditioning and braiding it.

Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you?
C: www.WomenofAfrika.org

Anything else you want to add?
C: Embracing your natural hair is a clear indication that a woman has recognized and is joyful to contribute to the many beautiful images of God that He created of Himself. It’s a relationship and like any relationship, you have to work hard at it. When you get to a crossroad, you know some things may have to change to keep the flames of the relationship alive. When wearing your natural hair and texture, there’s no alternative image to hide behind. It truly brings out the best in you. It’s truly amazing.

Starting from young girls, Black women are so heavily conditioned by mass deception through media with alternative motives that tell them the hair of other women is far more appealing. This is only stipulated by the hoards of images portrayed by the owners of such media sources who just so happen to be of these ethnic groups. Imagine if Africans (which includes ALL of the Diaspora) owned the majority of media and were proud of afro styles, rocked them proudly and blasted all the magazine covers with them, all the new cosmetic adverts and billboards, movies with them, etc. And have this go on for decades, non-stop. Well would you get young Asian and European girls rocking afros? Sociology tells us probably yes!

However, I am not at the mercy of any marketing advertising director. I was fearfully and wonderfully made by The Creator with His own two hands and He could not have possibly made a mistake with the whole population of African women He created. Twists, braids are only the beginning. There’s so much OUR hair can do, but so many Black females have never taken the time to express themselves with their own hair.

The Bible even says that a woman’s hair is her glory. Why would the Bible tap on something that seems so trivial/ passive to you and I? Because it’s the truth

We are all born standards. We were created standards. Problem is we’re trying to fit into another person’s standards that they have made for themselves. Master your own standard.

Take a challenge: take one day rocking your natural hair, and tell me how you feel.

It’s a process, don’t believe the lye 😛 lol.