Sitting in a barber’s chair and handing them the scissors to cut it all off seems like a nightmare for a lot of women. When a black woman thinks about her hair, she thinks of it as her crown of glory. She can do whatever she pleases with it and it’s a personal expression of how she wants to present herself to the world. But what if nothing was there? Would women feel less of a lady or lose their sense of self-expression and creativity?
For women who chose to go bald, the answer is a resounding, ‘No’. Black women, in particular, have been making a ballsy choice by crowning their heads with a baldie.
I know, I know… Some of you are thinking, ‘but why would a woman want to do that?’ Read up.
1. To Educate
The misrepresentation of ‘the crown’ a woman holds upon her head has been objectified beyond belief for years. By men, fellow women and society, a woman’s hair is looked at as the definition of femininity, sex appeal, and character.
Some would even say it shows how much you care for hygiene, the trends you’re into, your age, your wealth and status. However, for some, the crown on your head should tell a deeper story. Women who have chosen to go bald by choice have expressed that not only is a crown your personal story but also your personal right. It’s an uplifting moment that is completely your choice.
2. To Live Shamelessly
Women who have gone bald by choice are showing the world what’s life like outside of conformity. They’re embracing themselves in a new-found way that is liberating, self-loving, encouraging, strong, and powerful. They’re simply saying, ‘I am not my hair. I am me.’
3. To Break Social Norms
As women, day-to-day we have to go out into the world with everyone else’s thoughts and judgments put onto us. How should I wear my hair, what’s the latest color trend, how long should my hair be? There are stereotypical notions put onto us each and every day without a word uttering out of our mouths first.
For women who’ve chosen to go bald, they’ve voiced a sense of finally ‘letting go’. Breaking through societal norms of hair lengths, textures, and colors, bald women have a new song to sing it starts with I, ME and MY.
4. Because They Can
Going bald by choice is living outside of the boundaries. We’ve even seen some of the celebrity favs like Tamar Braxton and Sanaa Lathan take the leap. It’s a life-changing moment that puts your narrative back into your hands. Women are finally saying, I can do what I want when I want and how I want.
Tia Muhammad, BS, is an award-winning freelance content & media creative, copywriter, blogger, digital designer, and marketing consultant. She owns the boutique content and digital media company, jackieGLDN|studio.