I had some friends over last night and they wanted to see our wedding album, so of course, I agreed and as we browsed through the pages of my beautiful romance novel, I started reminiscing about the short hair days. For a minute, looking at my engagement pictures, I missed my TWA. For the readers who are not familiar with the natural queendom languo, TWA stands for Teeny Weeny Afro. At the time we took our engagement pictures, my hair was about 3-4 inches long; I had been natural for no more than 3 months. I vividly remember worrying about the quality of our pictures because my hair was so short. I had worn my hair long all my life and, at the time it seemed, my hair was just not long enough for one of the most important photo shoots of my life. I panicked, but in the end, I didn’t have much of a choice. My hair was short and there was nothing I could do about it.
Looking back now, all I can think of is how silly that was. I look at the pictures and see beauty, natural beauty. The length of my tresses did not affect how great I looked. My hair was short and beautiful and I looked amazing. The sentiments I felt at the time are unfortunately not unique to me. We live in a culture that glamorizes long hair. So, to wear short hair is a bold and risky move, and yet wear naturally curly or kinky short hair is simple unimaginable.
Being natural comes with such freedom and at times I believe the TWA itself symbolizes a rite of passage. A separation from the mainstream’s depiction of beauty into a world that magnifies individuality and the many faces of true beauty, be it a TWA, long, voluptuous curls or bone straight hair. I have become part of a community of beautiful women, regardless of length or texture. It is amazing to see the depth of a woman’s beauty once she accepts herself and decides to cherish her very own individuality. It is indeed empowering!
I am sharing my story to encourage all the women out there who are wearing their TWA and every now and again feel deprived of styling options or feel they no longer match the prescription of beauty we have so naively validated times and times again by our words, views of others and ourselves and our choices. We are beautiful and beauty comes packaged in short lengths as well. Love yourself and love your hair for you are BEAUTIFUL!
What is your take ladies? And, if you’re presently wearing a TWA, please chime in and share your story with us!
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Your pictures are beautiful!
And I have always thought that all hair is good, be it natural or relaxed, long or short. This is something we all need to teach our children so that they don’t perpetuate the myth of “good hair”.
Thanks so much for this website!
My hair is short, 5 to 6 inches, and we all know that is short due to the shrinkage, but I am glad that I am natural, finally, and loving and discovering my own our own beautiful texture. Your hair is beautiful. You looked good with short hair and long. I like long hair as it frames my hair more. A woman’s hair is her beauty. We should love our hair.
I like your pics a lot- it’s kind of you to share them with the world! I BC on 12/7/08 and I’m loving my newfound freedom. It feels great not to care what people think about my hair. I’m glad I don’t have the chemical dependency any longer and that I can enjoy this journey my kinks will take me. I like your blog and I look forward to reading more! Merry Christmas.
Awww those are beautiful pics, ur hair looks amazing, its inspiration to me on my natural jouney
WOW!!! You are simply BEAUTIFUL and sooo much n luuuvvvv, u r just glowing!!! Thanks for the inspiration, was was feeling so down about my hair and it being short but u have given my an idea, the flower n my twa to kinda dress it up a bit. I had begun to wear cornrows as a transition to more length style since my BC. I remember when I was much younger and cut my hair off much shorter than it is now (kind of like Michele Ndedochello) at that time and I did not have a problem with it AT ALLL, I guess perhaps I have become a bit older now and….. well I dunno. Thank you for your inspiration.
I’m just now seeing this post, but now, I offically adore you for your pictures and your words! So encouraging. I’ll be linking to share with my readers as well.
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Beautiful pics, and what an inspiration. You two look hot together!
You couldn’t have said it better! A freedom of being your self. Of wearing your hair the why the creator made it and not making a political statement. Very empowering! We must strength ourselves.
I Big Chopped Saturday, August 29, 2009. I’m finally natural after transitioning for a year. THANK YOU LORD!!!