THE WAY OF THE FRO.

You know when I first heard of Chimamanda i think it was on that sample of her ‘We should all be feminists’ speech on TED talk from Beyoncé’s flawless. (You know, that speaking part?) Then again, at the time, I didn’t even know it was a sample, let alone what TED talk was. But that was anyway both years ago and besides the point. ( I think it is an established culture for me now. All my intros, they’re ALWAYS besides the point. Irrelevance is still among my greatest weaknesses. But I embrace it✨.)

So this was my first encounter with Chimamanda. Years later I think is when I first came to discover her books; having completed 2 of her novels and I think two other short pieces. ‘Half of a Yellow Sun’ and ‘Americanah’. The latter was probably more my style though. Really had me on the edge. Now you know me, I’m an AVID reader. I like to juice the content out of my books. All that good stuff, I keep it with me and walk around with it.(Not literally ofcourse lol). I live and practice these stories. But then again you might be one of these flip/scroll-through-page kinda people. You know, quickly note the characters and a few of their memorable scenes maybe and later in a group discussion, you’re the “OH MY GOD COULD YOU BELIEVE THAT ENDING!??! INSANE! kwanza when nani died? I COULDN’T!” If you’re these people, my guy, i have a light with me that I would love for you to see. (Don’t get me wrong though. I as well have had my moments.- For instance,who was going to read all those pages of Chasing Red? I certainly did not have the time nor interest. [My opinion, not controversial at all])

I’m passionate in my reading. Not often, but passionate. And Americanah? Just some kind of the content I happen to strongly enjoy. A sweet story really. Its not the usual boy meets girl, girl js torn between 2 love interests, girl ends up with boy and or dead. [Insert a few sci-fi detective commons] It’s that, AND MORE! (Minus the sci-fi. Not a fan sorry). Highschool sweethearts in late 20th Century Nigeria separated by circumstances of finance and education, end up in 2 different continents with different aspirations, encountering not so different trials and obstacles. A keen, yet subtle insight on racism, feminism, and all the now stuff. Very depthful. (is that a word? Do I care?) I definitely recommend. However what really caught my eye wasn’t even the story. It was this tutorial on afro managing. ( Ifemelu [the female book character] had a community blog for Africans living overseas where they discussed ’embracing your ethnicity’ among other related things. Mostly focused on beauty and all of that. Hair and dressing. Imagine a situation where you go into a salon and be told they don’t do YOUR kind of hair. And you know how there’s products for ‘all hair types’. Well all in this case would mean blonde, hazelnut, red, brunette etc. In those lines. You know you’d think ah si I just put some steady locks or braids and I’m good to go? Dreadlocks are certainly an option, but certainly shouldn’t be the only one. Not to mention the established grounds on stereotypes (I’m referring to that Giuliana story with Zendaya).

So Ifemelu, besides encouraging other women to drop the synthetics and relaxers, gave a step-by-step tutorial on everyday afro management. THIS LITERALLY WARMED MY HEART! Personally I’m all about the fro. Getting it set right and maintaining it, now thaat’s where the problem comes in. I tried hers and truss me girl when I tell you the results were pleasing.

Now i don’t know how possible it’ll be to maintain this look in an overseas country, but I’ll take her word for it. ( I’ll trust that it wasn’t all fictionated and had some research behind it.) I’m looking to be in Italy soon. (A bit anxious to know if all these lessons pulled through. E
Mi piace pensare che sto facendo un buon lavoro. If you’re looking into abroad education/ work/ living or whatever. Let’s find each other and talk authenticity.

Attached to this is a few stepped ways to get various fro looks from my friends. Also a couple of tips on hair growth, strength and care that I picked up along the way. How do you manage yours? ( As I like to say over here quality learning takes place. So feel free to let me know. )

And as i part, next I shall be talking about MEN WHO JUST THINK THEY CAN WALK UP TO YOU IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREETS YET IT IS PRETTY DANG CLEAR THAT THEY ARE 72 TIMES YOUR AGE!!(This is me yelling and not the actual title. Very sensitive issue.) So in the words of Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat Pray Love, and FROllow your dreams.(haha)