Name: Jocelin Thomas

Location: Okinawa, Japan

Profession: Homemaker/Full Time Student

What was the hardest part of your journey?

To me the hardest part was transitioning and deciding not to go back to what I was used to, a relaxer. It is very tempting to go backwards. I was natural once before during my
second pregnancy and stayed that way for two years. But I didn’t have the support, the hair how to’s or even the right products. Out of frustration I did what I knew best, put a relaxer in and chopped it off.

And the best part?

The best part was taking my braids out and realizing how beautiful MY hair was and how much it has grown. I have more confidence and feel so comfortable in my own hair.

What did your hair journey teach you?

My hair journey has taught me that I am a strong woman and that I can do whatever it is I want to do. My decision to wear my hair natural was not just for a fashion statement. It was because I wanted to make a statement to myself. To prove to me that I am beautiful, determined and that I can achieve anything. I wanted to get rid of a lot of
negative things in my life and I felt that my hair was one of the things holding me back, if that makes sense. The journey isn’t over and I am still learning.

Describe your worse hairdo and your best hairdo and please include a picture if you can.

I wouldn’t say I have had a worst hairdo; I have had some that didn’t come out the way I expected. And for me the best hair do is when I do nothing special to my hair at all.
I just spray it with moisturizer and water and go.

Looking back, has your perception of your hair or black hair in general changed?

Please elaborate. Yes it has. Like most girl I grew up thinking that straight hair was the best hair.  I thought the kinkier your hair the worse your hair was. I grew up thinking that I didn’t have the good hair that people always talked about.  Now I view natural hair as the best hair. I don’t think that natural hair is for everyone, but I do believe that the ones who embrace it are just as beautiful as the ones with straight hair. Black hair is something we have to teach our children about and make them see that it is ok to have black hair, that way they won’t fall victim to our previous beliefs.

What is your favorite hairstyle?

My favorite styles are twist outs with a flower or a head band to make it stand out.

Can you please finish the following sentence: I love my hair because?

God gave to me, it is mine and I intend to take the best care of it. My hair is apart of who I am and is an expression of me.