baldies: Deja Rabiyaah
“Being bald is Freedom”
name: Deja Rabiyaah
social media: Twitter: @umojasoulja Instagram: @umojasoulja
How long have you been a self-proclaimed baldie?
About 4 months now.
Did anyone inspire you to cut your hair? (include @ name if possible)
Honestly, the Black women (usually who are much older than me) who stop me to compliment my hair; they often discourage their own natural hair journey from fear of backlash via a relative, friend, or partner. These women inspire me to pass along the revolution that is Black women loving up on ourselves as much as possible. For grown women to look up to me (much, much younger), speaks to the influence of beauty standards across generations of Black Folk-- I don't want to see another generation of Us not admiring our Natural as is!
Oh, and of course @ All the bald Black Women that ever existed, like ever!
What made you decide to cut your hair?
I've been chopping off and growing out my natural hair since sophomore year of high school-- I'm a third-year college student now. I've always been spontaneous when it comes to my hair-- most days I'll wake up and say "Yeah, I'm doing something drastic with this today." Historically, Black Women have had to create our own spaces in a society denying everything we are. Each day I strive to eliminate the fear of basking in the fullness that is Black Womanhood. I make it a habit to unlearn what I "should" be in this Black body. Cutting my hair comes with getting free from this.
What reservations/fears did you have about cutting your hair?
I had little fear. I knew what I was doing would be revolutionary for not just for myself, but other [Black] girls and women as well.
How did you prepare yourself for your hair cut?
1. I woke up that morning
2. I reaffirmed that hair can grow back
3. I got my hair shaved
What was your initial reaction to seeing yourself with short hair?
I've rocked a low cut several times, but not this low. It amazed me the beauty that just bloomed upon going shorter: I noticed how the moles on my face added character to it, and how bomb mascara on my lashes looks with my now bald head.
Did cutting your hair symbolize anything to you?
Yes. Being bald is Freedom. Being bald is taking up space, and rightfully so. Being bald is showing how unique Our beauty is, and not apologizing for how overwhelmingly gorgeous our People are.
Do you plan on ever growing your hair back out?
I honestly do not want to grow my hair back out. I've seen everything my natural hair can do from twisouts to braidouts and in between, and I've never cared too much about long natural hair, even when I had it. If I do my change my mind, I will loc my hair when I'm much older; I want them to grow to turn that striking gray color (I'm imagining the contrast of deep brown skin with gray locs). I just love locs on Us!
Did cutting your hair hurt or help your self-confidence?
Cutting my hair even shorter has allowed me to accept all my visible flaws. I can't hide, and frankly do not want to. The world will see me as is-- and they will deal!
Do you regret your decision at all?
I do not and will never regret being a bald-headed Black Woman! =)