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Today in my Skype a Scientist session a girl asked me a hard hitting question: what do you do with your hair when you go in the ocean. Idk if y'all realize this, but these are real concerns. The simple answer I gave was: I put it in a pony tail, but it's so much more complex 1/9
Washing my hair is a process that can take anywhere from 1.5-3 hours (not including the time spent air drying). I line up my hair washing schedule with field work when applicable. For week long trips to the field I just rinse/spritz everyday and then deep condition after 2/9
In case you didn't know Black hair and water are a combination where you never quite know what you are going to get. Sometimes my curls are cute sometimes I look like a sheep. 3/9
For this reason and the fact that detangling my fro after fieldwork is something I wouldn't wish upon anyone, I never wear it loose in the field. I usually have braids or I put it in a ponytail to keep it in it's lane. 4/9
This is a complex process I had to figure out for myself. As a kid I was encouraged to stay away from water so I didn't "mess up my hair." I decided that wasn't a good enough reason to stay it of the water so I found a way. But I had to figure it out. 5/9
Along the way I got made fun of for my edges and puffy roots. Washing out my press and curls. Sitting in the kitchen while my mom murdered about my unruly hair while running through my hair with a hot comb when I ran through the sprinklers when she told me not to. 6/9
So I hope this little girl walked away with an answer to her question. I hope she hops in the water and I hope she doesn't let someone feel like her hair is a barrier to splashing around and having fun 7/9
This is a thread for all the little Black girls trying to navigate life with hair society tells you isn't beautiful. Wear your hair how you want. Get it wet, life's more fun underwater. And if you see me in the field with my coils going rogue #mindyabusiness 8/9
My followers: how do you take care of your curls and coils in the field? Let's show this little girl it's possible and it's worth it. Thanks for coming to my Ted talk. 9/9
