More naturally curly women are beginning to embrace their curl’s textures. With this movement comes different ways of styling natural curls. Some women are exploring the idea of locs, and for YouTuber Taren Guy, the battle to embrace her naturally curly hair and begin the process of committing to locs wasn’t always easy.
Despite Taren’s own mother embracing the process and locing her own hair, Taren says her mom was reluctant for her to start locing her own natural hair. Taren described criticism and negative comments she received about her hair as she worked against the preconceptions that loced hair is dirty. Taren believes that for some reason, locs are a style considered to be “less than” other hairstyles for naturally curly women and considered acceptable only for women with the kinkiest or most coiled hair.
Taren began to feel as though her Afro was the only acceptable hairstyle for her and that it had become a shield for her to hide behind. She noticed that she would never leave the house unless her hair was styled into an Afro, and then began questioning her decision making in regards to how she wore her curls. She realized she was making her decisions based upon what she thought society expected of her, or what would make others happy.
After an event she was scheduled to attend was cancelled due to her hairstyle, with the belief that the audience and sponsors wouldn’t be happy with her choice, Taren wanted to encourage the natural hair community to remain inclusive and welcoming. While it really disappointing that this was the response of some folks in the natural hair community, it highlights the opportunities for change and inclusion. When curly girls are allowed to wear their natural hair how they like, they are more able to express themselves and be true to who they are!