Dirty. Messy. Kinky. Unruly. Unattractive. Ugly. Bad. These are only some of the words that have been thrown towards hair that is seen as "different". Asqueroso. Malo. Repugnante. Horible. Repulsivo. Horroroso. Desagradable. A list without any ends, being blurted out each time the girl with the big, curly hair walks past the sea of pin-straight haired heads, or those who carry the same hair yet, choose to hide it. Many who were born with curly crowns were pushed aside, envied, humiliated, and told to control their "mapos" (Mops) that grew from their heads. Yet, some grew up being praised for their hair and told not to change it; that their hair was not a curse yet, a blessing.

The crazy thing is that many of these comments and words came from those that are closest to you. Yet, your hair is more than those comments. Your hair is a crown, a beautiful halo, that emphasizes and brings forth your inner and outer beauty. Don't listen to the lies that others have battered on you; your hair is not "bad". For there is no such thing as "good" or "bad" hair. You can choose to wear your hair the way you'd like; without having to explain your decisions because hair is JUST... hair; or is it? Many say it's the crown, the halo, the key to your ancestors, and the temple to your head; in the end, you choose the significance.

During this journey I have been taking with my hair for the past 5 months, I have learned many beautiful things about myself and the world around. First, when you decide to "Do You", you feel amazing. For many years, I did relaxers and straightening with the "plancha" regularly, like a ritual, because I grew up around the whole idea of "good" and "bad" hair. By accepting and just "being me", I felt this legit weight fall off my shoulders. Second, know your hair like the back of your hand. Since, starting my research on "Pelo Malo: A Talk Amongst Latina and African American Women", I have learned how important it is to know your hair. From knowing your curl pattern, hair history, products to use and not to use, natural hair masks to make, styling tips and many other things; that are imperative to your hair. Trust me, It is not so easy and will require you some time. Third, I have discovered a greater community of Women from all different backgrounds that grew up under different beliefs about their hair. I no longer feel alone. In Middle School and High School (which by the way, are the two most likely times of your life, where "assimilation to the outer culture" occurs for Women of Color), I felt this intense pressure to "relax" (strip away curl pattern) my hair to be seen as beautiful because of cultural and societal pressure. I now know more women who understand my story because they either have my hair or have grown up in environments where hair is looked under two strict scopes -- the good and the bad.

Fourth, It is not easy to let go all at once. I remember the moment when I decided to cut away completely from relaxers and change the way I styled my hair. Back in December, I decided I wanted to dye my hair professionally for a new look and decided to go into a hair salon, I was recommended to go check out in Hartford, Connecticut. I remember walking in with my "puffy head of curls"; that, by the way, was damaged and had a little bit of curl pattern. I remember the stylist, who had amazing curly hair, tell me with sincere honesty that I need to stop relaxing my hair or it would fall off. I saw this as a wake-up sign, I took pity on my hair and I knew then that my hair to me had value. It was as if the little girl from Puerto Rico with a beautiful head of curls was waking up from the inside and telling me to see who I was. My hair to me was is a reminder of who I am and where I come from, so by her saying that statement, It woke me up from this "curtain" I had in my eyes for many years. Fifth, You glow and so, does your crown. The amounts of compliments, thank-you's and stories; I have received and listened to, because of one simple choice I made ... to share my story, rediscover my identity, and liberate my curls from those damaging treatments; I have learned that this issue matters because for a very long time Latina and African American women have been bombarded with a "euro-centric" idea of beauty.

I now find it funny that the same word, "PELO MALO", that was given to my hair from a young age, I have claimed it as my own. I claim my "MAPO" because it is mine and it represents who I am. I now hear that phrase, "Pelo Malo!" being shouted around the cafe of my church by women whom have been touched by my research and have embraced their hair identity. That was the whole purpose of why I first took the choice to go on my hair journey, to create a rip-effect, to create a manifesto, a wave of natural liberation for the women who have oppressed their hair for years because of society's idea of what beauty has to look like in order to be considered "good". I did it for the little girl who lost her way and for the younger generation of little girls out there who are growing up under this past-due ideal of beauty. In the end, have fun in the process, and be free!

So, call my hair what ever you'd like; because to me, my crown is untouchable and gorgeous, and spectacular and honestly, pretty PHENOMENAL. So to quote what the inspiring Dr. Maya Angelou wrote, "Now you understand. Just why my head's not bowed. I don't shout or jump about or have to talk real loud. When you see me passing, it ought to make you proud. I say it's in the click of my heels, The bend of my hair, The palm of my hand, The need for my care. 'Cause I'm a woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That's me." - Dr. Maya Angelou