My black is beautiful - regardless of anyone else’s’ beauty standards. 

Ever since I was in elementary school, my mom permed my hair. The media has a huge impact on what is considered beautiful in the black community. It made me think I needed straight hair, hazel/blue eyes, and a model figure in order to be considered beautiful…I’m a short, black-skinned woman. I knew I was never going to fit that. It was disheartening to feel like I was not seen, heard, or even considered. 

I didn’t know what my curl pattern was until my sophomore year of high school. That's when I started wearing my hair naturally. That was a part of the journey to self-love - instead of trying to conform to societal ideals.

-@valendiceee