Faye McCray

Like so many Black women, my hair journey has been a winding road. My hair has accessorized every phase of my growth from Jheri curls in Kindergarten (thanks again for that, Mom 🥴) to long box braids in college to processed, straight hair in my twenties. No choice, however, proved to be as significant and polarizing as my decision to wear my hair natural.

I remember showing up to work for the first time after my big chop. I was hyper aware of how exposed my face felt without a fan of hair to whip around. My neck was cold. My gravity defying curls were being defiant and I couldn’t shake the feeling that with my new short hair, I looked just like my brother. Nonetheless, every time I passed a mirror I couldn’t help but smile. My hair, in all it’s defiance, looked beautiful, and I knew once I got my mind to cooperate, I would feel it too. As I settled into my desk, a former colleague (and now dear friend) looked at me and said, “I feel like this is you.“

I was speechless.

I wish I could say that one comment negated all the microaggressions (and straight up aggressions 🤦🏾‍♀️) that came next or my own uphill battle to self-love and acceptance… it didn’t. Those battles were long and sometimes, incredibly lonely.

However, being seen in that moment served as a reminder of just how important it is to show up wholly – whether it fits neatly into someone else’s definition of beautiful… or capable… or professional or not. No one gets the best of you, if you are hiding the very best of you.

*The CROWN Act, which stands for Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair, is a law that prohibits racial discrimination based on natural textures and protective hairstyles including braids, locs, twists, and bantu knots. Learn more here:

https://lnkd.in/eR_VEFxb