Something New: Poetic Self Reflective Video Experience

In February 2009, I started my dreadlocks (I like to call them locs) because I watched a lot of YouTube videos of video bloggers with locs and it inspired me to start my own. I never knew how to style my own hair, but this journey was the start of something new that I started by myself, curious to see how far I’d go. I knew eventually I’d go back to my ‘loose natural hair’ and this video is my second installment of getting back to that poofy afro of mines. By cutting little by little, to help me get comfortable with the feeling of having no hair.

In November 2014, I’ve decided to create this video for my fans on YouTube called “Something New.” Earlier that year I shaved the nape with little documentation of the process. So in this video I not only wanted to document it, I wanted to narrate my thoughts that were going through my head at the time, as well as inspire viewers who want to try this style on how it may make them feel.

In this society, women cutting their hair is cutting off their womanhood. I can’t tell you many times how people society my hairstyle by sexual and gender identity, religion, etc. When really, it’s just hair. Although I do identify with the style, it does not determine my character. It’s a challenge being a woman in this world without having any freedom, so cutting also ties into liberation, so I cannot regret this decision. I do this for the women who fear, or the women who decide to box themselves, because I believe every woman should non-conform at least once, because it feels so damn good.

I wrote, filmed and edited this video myself, I hope you enjoy, and let me know your questions, comments or concerns.