Resiliency

A few weeks ago I traveled to Little Rock, Arkansas for the Rural Sites Network Conference. Several of my National Writing Project colleagues read my blog and asked that I explain what it meant to transition to my natural hair and why this was such a scary process for me. I was happy to oblige and answer any and all questions.

When I traveled to Arkansas, I was more and more self-conscious about my hair because I had surpassed the time I would normally have gotten a relaxer, so it was evident (at least in my mind) that people were noticing changes in my hair texture.

For the pre-conference activities I went to the William J. Clinton Presidential Library and the Central High School National Historic Site tour. Who knew that my visit to Little Rock, Arkansas would aid in my continuous growth through my hair journey. 

After the Clinton Library tour, a few of us walked to the Clinton Museum Store. It was there I met a beautiful regal looking Black woman with natural hair. I realized that I was staring, so I introduced myself and explained why I was being rude. She was very understanding and through our brief conversation I was uplifted. I felt a connection with this woman that I had never laid eyes on until that very moment in the store. She took a minute to share her testimony and how she was a year into the natural process. She explained how her friends and family thought she was crazy for cutting her beyond shoulder length mane to a teeny tiny afro. At the time our lives collided, she was sporting two-strand twists. She embodied where I want to be a year from now, confident and comfortable in my own skin. 

My next stop was Central High School. I have read both fiction and non-fiction accounts of the Little Rock Nine crisis in 1957. I wasn't prepared for the wave of emotions I would feel from being in that space. The strength of these nine teenagers taking a stand for what is right. I can't imagine how they felt being escorted to school, throughout school, and home each day. All of this made me think... why am I fretting over hair? If hair is my biggest worry then I should consider myself blessed. Did Ernest Green, Elizabeth Eckford,  Jefferson Thomas, Terrence Roberts, Carlotta Wall LaNier, Minijean Brown, Gloria Ray Karlmark, Thelma Mothershed, or Melba Beals concern themselves with how others might view them? If that were the case they would never have made history. They stood tall, held their heads high and pushed forward. They didn't worry themselves with those that were afraid. I was reminded that others were offered this same opportunity, but when the dust settled, nine were left standing.

This experience has reminded me that I come from a resilient people and I can face anything no matter how big or small.

aWordfromSmith

DD and I in front of the Little Rock Nine bronze statues outside the state capitol

In front of Central High School

Posing with Sharon Washington and Spirit Trickey-Rowan