"I Am Not My Hair"

 

"...Hey (hey)

I am not my hair

I am not this skin

I am not your expectations, no (hey)

I am not my hair

I am not this skin

I am the soul that lives within..."

The song titled I Am Not My Hair was released in 2006 by India Arie ft. Akon.  At the time I was only 11 years old so I didn't grasp the full meaning of the song. All I remember is my older sister, who was about 17 years old, would blast this song all the time. 

"...Good hair means curls and waves (no)

Bad hair means you look like a slave (no)

At the turn of the century

It's time for us to redefine who we be

You can shave it off like a South African beauty

Or get in on lock like Bob Marley

You can rock it straight like Oprah Winfrey

If it's not what's on your head, it's what's underneath, and say..." - India Arie

Many years later I finally realize how liberating this song actually is.