So a couple of weeks ago, I was talking to someone and subject of hair came up. I will preface this by saying that person I was conversing is white and her interactions with African Americans are limited.  We were talking about religious beliefs and she was shocked to learn that I was COGIC (Saints Home Stand Up!!!!). She made statement that with my locs she thought I was Rasta or a Muslim. "It must be hard for you to walk into church with your hair like that." I replied that the thought never crossed my mind because when I enter the house of the Lord seeking his face is I all that I am concerned about.

We got on other subjects but her statement stood out in my mind. What did my hair say to other people? I have natural for a little under 8 years and been rocking locs for 17 months and never once given thought to how I may be perceived. Did professors and potential employers think I was a radical person  with a extremism outcome? More importantly why was it important? While I believe appearance can give a glimpse into one's personality I don't believe hair can tell the essence of someone.

I wear locs because I want to NOT because I want to prove a point or anger my friends and family.  I am scientist. I am scholar. I'm conversative in some aspects and liberal in others. I treat my body as temple. I like India.Arie and Maroon Five.  I can be rational and irrational in the same thought. I like red and likes to group items in sevens. This is personality, my hair is one extension of it and I shouldn't be judged by it.

 Have you have misconceptions made about you based upon your hair? Share your stories...

Lady P.