FEATURES
I Am Not My Hair
by Deirdre Freeman
r
Tia Evans
What was once good for the goose isn’t
good enough for the gander these days.
Spirit isn’t the only thing fellow broncos are
showing; personalities are shining, seeping
and even screaming through hair styles all
around campus.
More and more young women are
kissing relaxers, sometimes called perms,
goodbye. The once popular fad, may
be becoming a trend of the past. Many
ladies these days are relying more on
other things; their roots, braids, dreadlocks
and even wigs. It used to be “the thing”;
relaxed hair that laid just right, blew in the
wind, and made easier to manage. But
some women have grown tired of spend
ing 60 dollars every eight weeks, spending
hours and hours in the salon so they’ve
chosen to go natural.
A Permanent Wave, typically called a
perm is defined as the chemical treat
ment of hair to produce waves or straight
hair The word permanent is only justified,
as when the wave is permed.. However,
new hair grows that has not been permed.
Which means ultimately the permanent
look gradually disappears.
As African slaves were brought to the
“New World” in 1441, they were forced to
lose a sense of their being; their beauty
of dark skin, and natural hair. Coming into
a world where the way of the world was
to look as European as possible. Many
blacks during these times would probably
argue, the only way to fit in was to imitate
the standards of Europeans. Some women
during these times served as barbers and
beauticians, where they learned the trend
of braiding and weaving hair.
Senior, Tia Evans says the last thing
she wants to do is fit in. She’s been on
what she calls her natural journey since
2008, and hasn’t looked at a relaxer since.
“I cut my hair September 2008 and once
I saw my natural curls I fell in love and
I knew that I would never touch a perm
again for the rest of my life. I call it a
journey because it is truly a journey; I have
learned so much about myself, and my
hair, in almost a year and a half. People
sometimes say it is like I have become a
completely different person. I know though
I still have many things to learn about my
hair and I am excited about learning new
things,” said Evans.
Evans, a Spanish Major said her
journey to natural has helped her learn a
lot about the hair she didn’t know before.
She said, “the most interesting thing I have
learned is it is possible to have different
types of curls on one head. Also I have
learned the importance of protective styles
such as braids and sew-ins. I also try not to
use heat in my hair, the less heat the bet
ter. If I must use heat I always use a heat
protectant for my hair.” Evans says, there
is no such thing as good or bad hair, in the
end it’s about healthy hair.
When it comes to India Arie’s song, I
am not my hair, Evans says she’s no fan
of Arie but agrees with the message in
the song. “My hair does not define who I
am it merely enhances me and my natural
beauty. I treat my hair like an accessory
and not a necessity If something goes
wrong I am not afraid to cut my hair and
start over. It is just hair”
Senior, Francine Dunbar, began her
journey with the help of best friend, Brittany
Jackson. Dunbar, admits she had to go
natural after a few bad takes of chemicals
and heat. She too agrees with Evans and
says, “hair doesn’t take away from you as a
person nor does it add it you.” Dunbar says
she’s “over it” in regards to the issue of
hair, as it comes and goes. She says natu
ral hair, as opposed to relaxed hair, is so
much more versatile. “I can do a blowout,
rock a fro, twists, straw sets, wear braids
without worrying about my hair being totally
damaged, and so much more. Best of all, if
I decide that I want a straight look, I can flat
iron my hair and it will have more bounce
and body than relaxed hair. SHEESH! Who
wouldn’t want that.”
Singer, Mario asked the world in 2002,
if someone would “braid his hair.” Seems
like he’s not the only one these days,
young women and men around campus are
asking the same question. It’s not unusual
to hear, “what time can I come by, do you
have grease, or should I bring mine,” Of
course this started long before 2002, Af
rican Americans have been rocking braids
for plenty of centuries. The art of corn row
ing became most popular not only in Africa
but also in African sculptures, Cornrow
hair styles in Africa are symbolized as a
bond and can be an identifier based on the
design of the braid. The designs ultimately
represent cultural values between genera
tions and express bonds between friends.
Dreadlocks, or locks as some people
prefer to call them are also popular on
campus. Freshman, Dominique Betts, has
been growing his dreads for the past two
years. He said plain and simple, “I really
got tired of sitting down and getting my hair
braided, so I decided to dread it up,” Betts
says they’re easier to manage, “I don’t
have to do much to it, just get it twisted,
and washed twice a month,”
Junior, Sonya Worthington, says she
knows she’s unique but she doesn’t neces
sarily need her hair to tell her so, however
it does add a little flavor, Worthington has
proudly rocked her wigs for a few years
now and has no reason to stop, “it’s so
much easier, and gives me more time
to sleep in the morning and adds to my
look and personality said Worthington,”
Worthington says, it’s nice having the
choice of wearing a wig or not wearing
one, “Don’t get me wrong, I love my hair
underneath, and it’s always nice to surprise
people when they see just how long my
hair is,”
Spring Break Is Coming...Party On!
by Monique Vaughn
Most college students see spring break as the highlight
of spring semester The week long break, alongside the
vacations, parties, and fun that come are always some
thing to look fonward to. If you don’t participate, or plan on
participating in spring break, you may not be as excited as
most students, “This year, spring break could not come fast
enough. I need a break from school, and time to just relax,
and party; maybe I will come back refocused on school,”
said FSU student Keirra Smith,
The majority of FSU students surveyed said they will be
at the beach for spring break. The beach of choice is Myrtle
Beach, South Carolina, Students from other colleges say
Miami, or another beach in Florida would be the best place
to go for spring break, “Wassup Miami? I cannot wait to
hit the warm streets of Miami, this is my first REAL spring
break,” stated Clark Atlanta student Danielle Johnson,
While the beach is one of the largest spring break desti
nations for college students, big cities are also a destination,
“I will probably go to Atlanta, chill and party That’s the best
place to be," said FSU student Roy Edouarzin
Besides sand, surf and cities, simply going home for
spring break is still a good idea for many students since
so many of them are from out of town and out of state.
As students approach their upper classmen years, going
home becomes rare, “Any chance I get, I go home, and
getting this week long break to enjoy my family and friends
back home is just what I need to keep my mind focused on
school,’’ stated FSU student Jacinda Peterson, People who
live out of state who go home, surely appreciate the break,
“I have a 12 hour trip to make,, at least I get a couple days
to enjoy my home,” said college student Matthew Williams,
Here are some spring break Do’s and Don’ts from FSU
students:
Don’t:
1) come back to school TWO weeks after spring break;
it’s only a week
2) fall in love at the beach
3) make any babies
4) sit your drink down, and come back to it
5)”don’t spend all your money during spring break and
come back broke,” says FSU student Rob Harley
Do:
1) have fun, but be safe
2) stay with your friends; a lot of crime is committed
during spring break
3) take responsible photos. The memories will make
you laugh when you’re old
4) call your family to let them know you’re safe
Whether you participate in spring break or not; whether
you go on vacation or go home, spring break is a time for
reflections. Take time out to relax your mind, have fun, and
enjoy family and friends and focus on what’s important.
College students work hard and it has been said that these
are our best years, so why not enjoy them, “I wish I still
had a spring break. After college, you work, and work, and
that’s it, no summer break, or spring break, just a two week
vacation, which I use very wisely,” said FSU Alumnus Irene
Willis,