let your head breathe girl!

it seems like since i've joined this natural hair site, nappturality, i've somehow had some kind of magnetic attraction for anyone even thinking about wearing their hair natural. i've never had so many like-minded friends in my entire life. not that i'm complaining, but it's just very interesting that how i went from having four friends to having about forty. lol. i guess being perm-free makes you nice or something..lol.

the other day i was hanging out with one of the above mentioned new friends, and i had the best laugh i've had in a looooong while. we were at one of those african-american/caribbean/ribs-n-soul/black folks festivals that are my primary joy of detroit summers. both of us were rocking our fros, mine more curly in a wash-n-go, and her's more wild in a HUGE twist-out (which i am still jealous of, by the way). we were both looking fabulous (if i may say so myself), with our fresh pedicures, summer-ready legs, and cute outfits, so we were ready to have grand ole time.

we walked into the festival smiling, laughing, pretending not to notice the guys noticing us, and almost IMMEDIATELY we saw these two women across the aisle giving us the classic 'wtf is she doing with her hair?' looks. being no newbies to nappturalism (oh yeah...made up another word!), we are fairly used to these looks and paid them no mind, going on about our business like we didn't even see them.

the festival was a blast, i got three fabulously-unique pairs of earrings and bracelets to match, a couple necklaces, and my friend met one of the most gorgeous men i've ever seen, with the most gorgeous locs, skimming about half-way down his back. he had skin any woman would kill for (or have to drink 80oz of water a day to achieve), and an island accent to top it off. so, needless to say, we were both happy.

when we had wrapped up the day and were walking towards the exiting street, we saw the same two women from earlier, still giving us that look, only they were walking right next to us. they started talking to each other loudly, saying "ugh i KNOW they mama taught them how to use a pressing comb. JUST FOR ME, baby, JUST FOR ME!"

i was irritated, but i didn't say anything, just kept walking. i'm not one for confrontation, but i soon found out that my new friend was definitely NOT having it.

my friend: "excuse me, did you say something?"

girl a: honey color, long blond weave, small waist, big butt, nasty attitude. "did you HEAR me say something?" (insert neck jerk and eye roll).

my friend: "i think i did, but you should hope i didn't."

girl b: mocha color, long black weave, 3 tattoos, one of which said 'Rodney' in horrific black ink scrawled across her left shoulder (blech), and a pretty smile. "girl, i think she just threatened you. whatchu gon' do?"

my friend: "she's not going to do anything but stand there looking like a rag doll with Su Wong's hair glued to her scalp."

the girls were young, so i was fully expecting a acrylic-nailed fist to come swinging at any moment, but it didn't happen. the second girl with the huge tattoo grabbed her friend.

girl b: "look, we just noticed you guys' hair. she was wondering how it got like that. i didn't come to no festival to fight India Arie and Erykah Badu." (i wonder who was who? lol).

at this girl a started cracking up. i would have even cracked a smile at the ridiculousness of it all, but my friend was pissed. i grabbed her hand.

me: "let's go. this is for the birds."

she turned to face the two now giggling girls. by this time, a small crowd of men had formed, hoping to see a girl-fight i presume. one of which was the cutie with the locs my friend had met earlier. he was frowning, not enjoying this display at all.

i nudged my friend again. she looked over and saw him.

my friend: "well, for your information, i grew this out of my head. yes, it actually comes out this way. you know, your scalp? but you probably haven't seen yours in years, so don't feel bad if you don't know what i'm talking about. i'm not into perms cause i don't enjoy self-mutilation. i'm not into weave cause i don't enjoy horse mutilation, okay? buh bye."

the two girls weren't impressed with her little spiel, but apparently the guys were, cause they started clapping. yes, clapping. yelling "daaang she told you girl!" and "hey girl, you, the one with the bad beyonce weave, let your head breathe girl!" at the poor embarrassed girls. even her locked-cutie was smiling.

it was hilarious. i swear i haven't laughed that hard in a long while. funny ish right there man, funny ish.