Since cutting her shoulder length hair at the end of last year Shernise Shaw says she feels free.
Free to swim, free to walk in the rain, free to do other things with the $120 she spent a month going to the salon every Friday faithfully after work.
Her reason for the big chop, also known as BC was simple, “I was tired of my hair thinning, putting unnecessary chemicals in my body and being a slave to my hair.”
Giving up chemicals is becoming a big fashion statement for women of color. While some decide to rock two strand twist, braids, bantu knots and other natural styles many are simply cutting it all off.
Singer Chrisette Michele said of her 2010 big chop, “Truth is I cut my hair for freedom, not beauty.”
Other celebs have walked the infamous red carpet rocking little to no hair including, Viola Davis, Nicole Ari Parker and Kim Cole.
While some decide on the big chop many aren’t ready for such a huge change. A good amount of the ladies on the Facebook Page Transitioning to Natural are some of them, the group has over 5,000 members.
Unlike most women who are taking it one step at a time transitioning from perms, Shaw didn’t.
“I waited until I was ready for the change, I didn’t waste time and money trying to transition,” she said.
On Dec. 16, Shaw made the decision to sit in a salon chair and watch her tresses fall to the floor.
While there are no regrets, she admits that she is ready for her
hair to grow back. However she is enjoying having a new look after wearing the same one for ten years.
Shaw said since cutting her hair life has changed literally; before she would miss events because of the rain. “I protected my hair at all cost,” she said.
“I am living now,” she says. Shaw advises women thinking about the big chop to go for it. The biggest misconception she said is that it’s expensive and time consuming.
“You just have to learn how to manage it,” she said.
Shernise is a school librarian who enjoys reading and eating good food.
Written by Shaka L. Cobb (c) 2012
Pieces of Cobb 
Great piece, Shaka! As a fellow natural sista who transitioned the slow route, I say kudos to Shernise and others brave enough to do the big chop. The whole process to natural is freeing…and proves my favorite saying regarding our tresses: You make the hair, the hair doesn’t make you. 🙂
Great piece by my favorite writer 😉
Going natural is very hard. Kudos to anyone who is willing to take the journey!
Great article Shaka! You are such a gifted and talented writer! I made the decision to embrace the real me, the way God created me two years ago and I can say it’s the most freeing and liberating thing that I have done for myself. My hair has never been so healthy, full, strong and growing so beautifully (I am almost to arm pit length—-I am still in shock because my hair never grew past my shoulders when I had a perm— but my ultimate goal is past bra strap length in the next year or two when straightened:))! I am so in love with my hair and learning how to manage and take care of my hair has been an awesome journey. God didn’t make a mistake when He gave us this hair so we shouldn’t be afraid to embrace it, care for it, work with it, love it, and showcase it. Natural hair is so versatile and styling options are endless! NATURAL GIRLS ROCK! 🙂
P.S. Water is my friend not my enemy! I no longer run from it but embrace it! 🙂
Great article! You have me wanting to do the big chop and I have been natural for 7 years. lol. I really appreciate this. My sis chopped her hair off a few months back. I will tell her about your article.
Toye, lets chop together! I’m ready…Yes Donna’s look good
Chop girl, chop!
I have gone natural back to perm multiple times. However, my reason for going natural was twofold: 1) I was tired of dropping the curling iron on my head when I’d lose my grip due to the lymphedema in my right arm/hand; and 2) I wanted a style where I would “protect” my dominant hand/arm from overuse because of the lymphedema.
I tried an afro, but it was much more work than the relaxer because I have 3 different grades of hair. So, I started twisting my 2 to 2 1/2 inch afro. When it was long enough, I started plaiting it. In between, I would wear an afro because washing it would undo the twists/plaits. The 3 different grades of hair prevented rolling my hair for locs (I refuse to call them “dread locs” or “dreads” because I do not dread my choice). So, I plaited them and added beeswax on the ends. I went for one “grooming” and learned how to hook my locs from the loctician/beautician. I now hook them myself.
For 2 years, I trimmed the ends to try and get all locs the same length. After some of the teenagers questioned why my hair wasn’t growing, I stopped. My hair is past my shoulders with some of my locs landing at the middle of my back.
I receive compliments often. And many are surprised that my locs are all mine! My mothers does not like them at all; and doesn’t like the fact that after I started my locs that my nephews loced their hair (the rolled locs).
As many have said, my hair was never this healthy when on relaxer. I too no longer worry about rain (but do use an umbrella when it’s super heavy).
I have been natural for 9 years and loced for 8. I have no plans to change.
Indeed, God gave use the hair he wanted us to have. I have embraced mine and manage it in locs.
Thanks, Shaka!