Back to natural hair
📄 The Radical Big Chop
The "Big Chop" is an African American expression that can be translated as "Big Cut." It can be one of the steps in returning to natural hair after having chemically straightened hair.
In order to regain her natural appearance, her natural hair, to have healthier hair, to no longer put dangerous chemicals causing certain diseases in her body or to be a physical model of the beauty of the natural black woman for her children.
But there are two types of hair to manage that require different care and actions: Healthy natural hair with healthy roots and your ends that have been chemically or heat-treated (straightening, relaxing, bleaching or coloring etc...).
This step involves cutting off the straightened hair whether there is natural hair regrowth or not.
The Radical Big Chop involves cutting or shaving straightened hair directly, using the tools of choice: scissors, clippers, etc.
The procedure is performed regardless of the length of the hair, whether it's straightened, burned, damaged, etc. The goal is to get rid of this chemically altered or damaged hair without wasting time or money on irreparable hair. It's about moving on to a new lifestyle, radically changing your style. This action also allows you to rediscover yourself or reveal your true self to others, without artifice or hair to hide behind.
It takes a certain amount of courage and mental strength to dare to do it, especially if you're used to having long hair.
This can be a shock; during the adaptation period, women/young girls may sometimes become depressed or regret their actions and opt for artificial means (scarves, wigs, etc.) while waiting to grow some hair.
What's normal is that the Big Chop involves physical change, abandoning an appearance that has often defined us since childhood. The Big Chop marks the end of a chapter in our lives. It makes us leave behind a lifestyle; some people felt good about straightening their hair, it was like applying a hair mask, despite the burns and the known or unknown health risks.
Hair straightening and smoothing were part of their upbringing, and they shared moments with our mothers, grandmothers, sisters, cousins, nieces, friends, etc. We had the feeling that we had done something to be beautiful, passed down from generation to generation. We learned to straighten our hair like we teach a young girl how to care for it.
After the Big Chop, you also have to deal with the shock, the incomprehension and prejudices in your surroundings sometimes, or the encouragement, motivation, and compliments also depending on cultures, education or traditions.
Generally, women and girls who feel beautiful with very short hair, whether bald or long, have strong self-esteem. They don't pay attention to other people's stares or opinions. They disregard stereotypes about bald or shaved heads, or the shape of their heads. Whether they conform to other people's standards or not is not their concern. They showcase the versatility of their feminine beauty. Confidence is a great strength. Many women don't dream of having long hair and adore short or very short hair. Others are versatile. Each has her own hair goals and feels good the way she wants it.
In some ethnic cultures, it is a normal hairstyle, such as among the Maasai.
In other cultures, it is a step towards baptism, mourning the death of a close relative, or marriage.
In any case, this hairstyle has a great deal of meaning. Therefore, it's important to think carefully so as not to become dependent on artificial means to feel good about yourself, even if only for a short time.
Hopefully this will help you make a choice or better understand one of the steps in returning to natural hair.
Queen STATEN
