I am ethnically half-Ashkenazim Jewish. I have what is referred to as the "jew-fro", and it has definitely been a defining and often divisive part of my life. I grew up in Hawaii as a minority, and was bullied mercilessly in large part because of my white skin and my frizzy-curly hair. I was called the n-word by the kids in my school because of my hair. I often considered straightening my hair to fit in better. Now as an adult, however, I embrace my hair and actually love it, for better or for worse. Other women my age have told me how lucky I am to have such thick, curly hair. I used to take such compliments bitterly, since I thought people were just being nice. But I now see it as a reality. I am thankful for my hair. I do wish, though, that it wasn't going so quickly grey.
I am ethnically half-Ashkenazim Jewish. I have what is referred to as the "jew-fro", and it has definitely been a defining and often divisive part of my life. I grew up in Hawaii as a minority, and was bullied mercilessly in large part because of my white skin and my frizzy-curly hair. I was called the n-word by the kids in my school because of my hair. I often considered straightening my hair to fit in better. Now as an adult, however, I embrace my hair and actually love it, for better or for worse. Other women my age have told me how lucky I am to have such thick, curly hair. I used to take such compliments bitterly, since I thought people were just being nice. But I now see it as a reality. I am thankful for my hair. I do wish, though, that it wasn't going so quickly grey.