I’m 27 years old.
I started liking my hair again seven months ago.

I’ve always had curly hair.
My family and the hairdresser made me hate it.

I used to place my hair on the kitchen stove, trying to make it straight.
I didn’t know what I was doing. I was in elementary school then.

My mother tried everything to make it softer.
I wanted to keep it natural. I loved it that way.
It made me feel special.
The flat iron damaged it at some point, but it’s back to normal now.

Here are some of the most absurd comments I’ve heard:
“What’s up with your hair? Use water or oils to make it softer.”
“Why is your hair like that? Why do you have such ugly hair?”
“Have your mother style it for you because it looks horrible like that.”
“Looks like the doorman’s wife styles your hair.”
“I won’t go out with my daughter looking like that. What will people say about me?”
“You can’t go to college looking like that. You look like a loose woman.”
“You would’ve done better at school if you had straight hair.”
“You’re going to be a bride. What will your in-laws say?”
“You’re a mother now. You have to always look good. Your son has to respect you.”
You know what? My husband supports natural hair.
He loves curly hair.