For many people, hair is more than just a thing that grows in strands out of their head. It holds the significance of being an extension of oneself. Hair is something to care for, style, and love. How one styles their hair displays the varying parts of one’s identity. It expresses individuality through different styles, and the way that one cares for their hair shows their self-love and the effort they put into being who they are.
In this collection of stories, want to focus on a few MHS students’ stories of loving and caring for their hair. This story specifically is about Adjo Adjogble’s story.
Jojo’s hair journey has been experimental and continues to be to this day. It didn’t start this way, though. When she was younger, she stuck to simple hairstyles out of fear of judgment from others. Overcoming this wasn’t an easy task. She shared,
“I realized all the styles that started to become popular were ones I’d need some confidence to wear. So I’ve had to critique myself and try hairstyles out of my comfort zone to find what works for me.”
Along with this realization came the bravery to try out new hairstyles while looking fear right in the eye. This also brought one of her newer, yet extremely memorable hairstyle choices.
“My most recent style was the most transformative because I completely chopped my hair off. This was a very big deal, for me and my family. No one had done something like that before and it was handled with such happiness and excitement. I had been wanting to cut my hair for years but was scared about the growing process and how it’d affect my appearance. But finally, I was like, okay, let’s first dye it dark brown, then chop it off.”
This jump in her hair held a lot of significance for her, within her emotions and family as well.
“My mom has been a hairstylist since we lived in Africa. She experimented and tried all sorts of styles on me, and although I can’t say I loved everyone, it was fun and exciting to try what she was willing to do. My country forces female students in schools to cut off all of their hair.”
Jojo’s hair was like a canvas since her mom constantly tried new styles with it. Cutting her hair would’ve meant losing something that connected her with her mom, and a part of herself. Having freedom with her hair was critical to her family, so they worked against it. retaliating against the rules of having short hair led to Jojo being the only student with hair, leaving her peers bald, and her teacher wearing a wig
“My hair was something I was scared to lose, but knew It’d be a decision I made and wasn’t forced on me, so I decided to cut it off and bring positivity into something that was originally so scary.”
Jojo was able to turn something that she originally feared into something that she now loves. For her, hair has always had an impact on her confidence and self-expression.
“I could honestly take on anything once my hair is done. Being able to choose and change hairstyles when you want is something I’m very grateful for. I used to feel very shy and scared because of how big it was. But over time, I’ve realized the beauty it holds and how confident I am.”
Like everyone else, Jojo of course has her very own go-to style.
“I love cornrows! They’re simple, cute, chic, and gorgeous! I could honestly go the rest of my life wearing cornrows.”
Along with cornrows, the special ingredient to having perfect hair is to add water.
“Hair malfunction? Add water. Is hair too poofy? Add water. Water is a 4c girl’s best friend. Since my hair type tangles so easily, using water to weigh it down and make it less tangled is the best way to approach it.”
Not every problem with hair can be solved by just adding water, though. Showing her personality through unique hairstyles also brought the opinions of others.
“I would have big, bright, bold colors and it very much stood out. And for me, it was at the beginning of my confident journey for my hair. But this didn’t matter because not everyone thought it was as cool and pretty as I did. I’d always have some snarky response back and honestly, that’s what made me continue to experiment with my hair. I put on my head what I want. Simple.”
Since moving past the opinions of others, Jojo has allowed herself to grow and her self-love to flourish. From all that she’s learned, she would tell her younger self.,
“Stop being so scared. That hairstyle you’ve been thinking about doing? Do it. Stop being so self-conscious about your hair, what you do with it has nothing to do with other people.”
She has been able to change her relationship with her hair and would like to see changes in other people’s hair as well.
“I honestly want to see more of people’s ideas when it comes to cornrow and braiding styles. I love mixing the two and there’s a style that adds design and art to it. I once had cornrow hearts and stars on my head and braids in the back. I absolutely loved it. I just want to see more design inspo and ideas. It’s so fun to do and see in others because it looks different on everyone!”
I hope you enjoyed Jojo’s story and read the other stories that are a part of this collection. For more curly and coily stories, check out the Mhs auroran website!!!!
