The C.R.O.W.N. Act is one of those things I'm glad exists, but I'm sad it has to. The Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair legislation basically just makes it illegal to discriminate against someone with textured hair. Unfortunately, it isn't even a nationwide federal protection yet.
Generations of Black Americans have had to alter the natural state of their hair in order to avoid being shut out of opportunities. Being told that their natural hair or Afro-centric style wasn't professional enough for the job or office. Children enduring painful, scary rituals to avoid being excluded at school.
The scars run deep. Adults that are made to feel shame about their natural beauty turn into parents that teach the shame to their kids. My own first memories of my hair involve a hot comb and scorched scalp, and it doesn't get any better from there. At home relaxers were considered the easy, time-saving fix. But my scalp barely healed from one treatment to the next.
I always hated my hair. When I was a teenager, I asked if I could "go natural." I wanted to learn how to accept and care for my hair the way it grew out of my head. I was told "no" because my hair wasn't "good enough." It would be ten years before I finally left chemically straightened hair behind. The road was rough. I still didn't like my hair, but at least it was actually mine and not a facade.
Almost 20 years of trying this product and that product, a borderline abusive hairstylist that had no appreciation of the pain behind my journey. I had become resigned to never feeling good about my hair. But at least I wasn't hurting it to hide it. That meant more to me than looking good.
One day while I was selling my soaps at markets, someone asked me if I also made solid shampoos. I had NO IDEA what they were talking about. I thought they were crazy and forgot about the whole thing. Then it happened again, and again. So, I looked into it. After months of searching, and a little luck, I found what I needed to create solid shampoo and conditioner!
I was so excited developing my first shampoo! I was on a mission to make sure it had ALL the things hair like mine needed. AND IT DID! The first time I used it was almost a magical experience! My hair and scalp could actually FEEL the tender loving care!!! Over the course of the next few months, my tight kinks and coils felt looser and more hydrated. I knew I stumbled onto something special. Something great for US. Those of us with hair that was generally treated with disregard.
When it came to fragrance for the conditioner, it was almost a healing moment. I got to decide how it would smell. And I vowed it would smell GOOD. Good like the hair care products I always wanted to use because of the smell, but then they would wreck my hair. The products that I would put on my hair and could immediately tell they weren't meant for me to use. This time would be different.
I didn't stop there. My experiences taught me that hair care IS NOT a one-size-fits-all venture. My hair was dry and brittle. So first, I made shampoo and conditioner. for dry, brittle hair. Then I made shampoos and conditioners for hair that wasn't as dry, for hair that was struggling with too much oil. Because we ALL deserve awesome products. I was just especially proud to have made something really great for people like me.
My heart sank the day a woman and her daughter walked past my market booth. The daughter wanted to stop and look at my solid shampoos. The mom quickly hurried her along, telling her "Those products aren't made for us." I was so caught up in the pain of having lived that reality, that they were gone before I could muster up courage to try to call out to them and say, "I MADE these products and they most certainly are for US."
I am so happy to report that not only do I no longer hate my hair, but I actually LOVE IT! In all its natural glory. And everyone in this world deserves to feel the same!