Guest Post: Tales of a Teenage Fro

I was so happy when this landed in my inbox because it gave me a few laughs and felt like I could totally relate. I know that when I was relaxed, I was one of the people she mentions and that after I went natural, I met a lot of those people too. Unfortunately, our lovely teenage writer didn't leave much info about herself, so honey if you read this, do get in touch so people can find out more about you. I think you're an amazing teenager and I wish I had as much courage at your age. (By the way, I died at "Friendly Afro Invaders" lol)

In rant mode, I got to thinking. During my year of being natural, and even while I was transitioning, I realized that people will want to touch your hair. Some more than others. Some people are just curious. "How'd did you get your hair to stand up like that!?" You know, the normal. Since embracing the curly do, I've created types for people who concern their hands/eyes/opinions with my hair.

First are F.A.Is or "friendly afro invaders." My friends, every now and then, will pat my afro or pull a curl or (if they're tall enough) use my hair as a pillow. No biggie. Being in high school, personal space is often neglected and out right unheard of. Lots of the time, each invasion comes with a compliment. "Oh wow, its soft" or "your hair smells good". My mom even fits into this category sometimes.

Second are wide eyes or glarers. Ever been in the grocery store and walked into the frozen foods aisle only to get a strange look from the woman three freezers down? Sometimes its a good stare. Other times they, like my mother, might be thinking (in the words of a fellow high schooler) "dank!" For those that don't know, dank is not a good reaction.

Next are the mumblers aka side eyeing haters who wish their hair was as bouncy as mine. First encounter with one was last year, freshman year. I was walking through the locker room when I hear "Now that's what you call Nigger Hair", mind you I was still transitioning then. I whipped around and shouted out "thank you!". That girl still glares at me. However this category most definitely does not discriminate. It doesn't matter if your hair is straight or curly or neon yellow, as long as its different random people will think lower of you. One of my friends has a mohawk (dubbed the "rihanna do" by another friend) and, though her hair is permed, there are people in the hallways that say rude things.

Speaking of rude, the last type is the rudeies or the back up before I knock you in the face people. These lovely individuals can often be a blend of the third category, which makes them even worse. Of course, I have another example. Walking down the hall to second period and I hear these people behind me. Long story short, they think my hair looks like a Brillo pad (actually it resembles the lovely Miss Fizz's hair...i think) and decide to pull at a piece. The thing that sucks the most is that, even if I'm royally pissed, there is not enough courage in this world to make me actually knock their teeth out. Also, I don't know if this is a trend or if my luck is just horrible, but people in this category tend to attack while one is alone. Not alone in the sense that you are in a dark alleyway, the kind of alone when you are surrounded by people but no one would stick up for you. The point is they suck.

Despite all the haters and hair molesters, I continue to wear my hair the way I want. Which includes blocking many overhead screens in the process. But there you have it. A little piece of my insanity.

Sweetie I'm giving you a standing ovation. I could not have put it better than you have!