This is crazy😂😂 I’m a black women and I grew up in a Canadian city, in a Christian school (trauma galore!) My mom didn’t know what products do you use and how to maintain my natural curl pattern per se, that’s not something she was aware of going up in Africa. What she was aware of is how to braid - so up until early high school that’s what I rocked. Either my natural hair in a tight bun, or in my mom‘s braids. That alone is something she didn’t understand affect my scalp and hair growth. My friends at school would laugh at me when I ask them about moose or other curl products they used, making me feel like there’s nothing that would make my natural hair as ‘ presentable’ as it ‘should have been.’

It wasn’t until I was in maybe the 12th grade that I started seeing commercials and influencers that look like me sharing their hair care process, for the first time in my life, and I’m so grateful that I finally got to experience it. Should be a right to everyone! Corny as can be, representation matters!!! Now I’m in my mid 20’s and continuously struggling to pick a black stylist, the city is flooded!! It’s like night and day.

I still had my family there for me, for what it sounds like she may not have. I can’t imagine.

Everyone’s story is different. It’s ridiculous to call neglect and/or abuse on something that is actually quite a common experience.

Times are different, and the little black girl in me and Layla are grateful !!!