naaniMODEL Sonny

December 2004 Journal
How was your hair styled before you went natural/locked?
Before I locked my hair I had a very low haircut, and before that my hair was relaxed.

What did you like/dislike about your previous hairstyle?
I love my hair short. When my hair was relaxed I hated the burning from relaxers.  I hate tapping my scalp when I know I want to scratch. I just can't see myself getting older and constantly putting relaxers in my skin and in my hair.

How long have you been natural/had dreadlocks?
My hair has been locked for a little over five years.

Why did you decide to go natural/grow locks?
I decided to go natural during Cosmetology school. I learned what these chemicals can do to your hair even if you take care of your hair. The main reason I decided to go natural was because I'm a black female and my hair was not meant to be strait for a reason, I believe anything unnatural will have a negative if not immediately, then in the long run. Theirs a lot of things I might have to deal with as I get older. Relaxing hair is like investing in baldness. "A woman's hair is her glory."

Sonny's Vital Statistics

Nickname: Sonny
Relationship Status: Single like a dollar bill...
Zodiac: Aquarius
Favorite Musicians: India Arie, Beres Hammond, Bob marley, Anthony Hamilton, Beyonce, Michael Jackson...etc
Favorite Songs: Beautiful, tell him, dangerously in love, buterfly.....ect
Favorite Poems: Like perfect

December 2004 Journal Continued....

How did you go natural? Why did you choose this method?
I simply cut my hair out of some braids after braiding it for about 4 months. I did not think about how I was going to do it I just did it. I was ready.

How did you start your locks (palm rolls, twists, braids...)? Why did you choose this method?
Palm rolls. That how my dad started, that's how my uncle started so that's how I started.

Who maintains your dreadlocks/natural hair?
I maintain my locks.

How did your family/friends/lovers react to your hair initially? How do they react now?
They loved it. They still love it.

What problems with your hair have you encountered in the workplace/social settings?
Ha ha that is a long story. I am in the USAF. When I was in boot camp I caught hell.

When I left boot camp and went to technical school I caught triple hell. It was crazy. I had a white female tell me my hair was unprofessional and keep in mind my hair was always twisted neat and in a ponytail bun. This woman went on to say my hair was not clean, that's when I went off on her a$$. Long story short, there are no regulations against locks in the USAF.

What do you love most about your hair?
It's naturally beautiful.

What bothers you the most about your hair?
I love my hair and it does not bother me. The fact that I have to pull my hair back in a tight ponytail bun for work irritates me very much.

Have you ever colored your natural hair/locks? Do you still color it? What were the results?
I have colored my locks. Twice. I won't color it anymore. The first time I colored it, it came out great (chestnut brown). The second time I colored it black. The black came out good too but, it slowly faded and I ended up back to my natural hair color. I have no intentions of coloring again.

List 3-5 of your favorite styling tips.
Hummmm.. 1. After washing, twist and braid all the way to the ends and add a rubber band to the ends. 2. Take out the rubber bands and unbraid for a wavy effect (very pretty). 3. Rod set..

If you could lock all over again, what would you do differently?
Maybe pay more attention to sectioning around the hairline.

What has having a natural/locks taught you about yourself/others?
Honestly not much. I don't need hair to teach me about myself. Others on the other hand, having my hair the way it is shows how ignorant some people are. There are people who like to assume things about you, or judge. I hate the conversation about "GOOD HAIR".  Why does good hair have to be strait, or wavy, or anything that is not nappy? I laugh.

What's your advice to those interested in going natural/locking?
I think we should all be natural but it's just not that easy for some people.  If you're even thinking about going natural... JUST DO IT.. You're thinking about it because you're tired of what your doing now.

What's your list of do's and don'ts when it comes to natural/lock care?
I would say find what works for you because were not all the same people. You have to find what you like. I can't say not to use something because it did not work for me. It's all about chemistry.

~ End Journal Entry - December, 2004 ~