Two Cultures, One Crown: How I Learned to Love My Texture and My Dreadlock Journey

Where I Started

I was born in the late '90s into a mixed African American and Hispanic family. Because of this, I often felt excluded from both worlds. I was never quite "Black" enough to be fully accepted into that community, and though I looked the part, I didn't know a word of Spanish nor had I ever known anyone from my Hispanic side. This led to so much confusion and an unsteady sense of identity throughout my early childhood.

It wasn't until my early twenties that I finally began to understand that the melding of these two cultures wasn't a burden, but actually something quite beautiful—a gift. It's a gift I've been fortunate enough to begin passing on to my own son. And, surprisingly, it all began with my hair!

Childhood Memories That Stayed With Me

When I was young, I had this ridiculous notion that because my hair didn't move with the breeze on any given day, I was not as beautiful or attractive as the other girls I knew. My Caucasian friends had silky hair, my Hispanic companions had gorgeously controlled waves, and my neighborhood Asian mates had hair as straight as any perfect press. And, at home, my parents struggled helplessly to tame my wildly tenderheaded scalp.

So, it came as no suprise that shortly after my 10th birthday, my Mom set out to make both of our lives easier. It started with a perm (which needless to say - did not work). Then, it eventually settled into semi-regular salon appointments that lasted two hours at the least. I would walk out with hair as light as a feather, and as straight as any other naturally born child of European origin. But, then, something interesting happened. As I entered my senior year of high school, I started to hate straight hair. The upkeep was constant, and as the hormones kicked in with puberty, my skin and hair just oozed oil. Straight hair was no more. But, the feeling of being an outsider was still ever present.

Fast forward to my early adult years. At this point in life, I found myself continuously trying to control what felt uncontrollable. I cut my own hair twice out of sheer frustration, only to feel temporarily free. Both times I learned about imperfection and resilience. Those scissors taught me that hair is not a statement of worth, it is a canvas for learning.

The Turning Point

As I got older, I slowly came to terms with how beautiful kinky and wild can be. I began to see beauty in texture, in curl and in the stories they carry. I stopped chasing someone else's ideal and starting listening to my own reflection.

Now: My All Natural Dreadlock Journey

Today, I am on a dreadlock journey. No salon. All natural. This is a slow, intentional choice rooted in culture, identity and self-love. I am learning maintenance, celebrating progress, embrassing frizz and letting my hair tell its own story. I am loving the process and the person I'm becoming through it!

What to Expect From This Series

I will share updates about my dreadlocks, practical tips I pick up along the way, products that actually help, the mistakes I make, and how this affects my sense of self! I will be honest about the bad days, where I may be potentially judged by the way I look. But, grateful about the breakthroughs that come my way :)

Your Voice Matters

Share your hair story! Tell me if you grew up between cultures, if you remember being told straight hair was "prettier", if you ever hacked your hair with scissors, or if you're on your own natural journey now. I will be reading and responding, and I will include reader experiences in future posts!