Reflections of a black African girl
I never had to think about what makes me myself when I was in high school, I was busy chasing grades, being a ‘prefect’ (Kenyan high school student leader) , making archetypal high school memories. Living by the books.
It was only when I left for MIT that I grappled with finding who I am. When did I begin this journey? As soon as I realized I was different. I grew from being just a girl with big dreams to a woman, who’s black, with an accent and kinky-curly hair, an immigrant, an African, in tech… so many labels. And all these things weren’t just the face value of themselves — being black wasn’t just my skin color. My hair wasn’t just kinky-coily, it was a political statement. I wasn’t just from Kenya, I was a token from Kenya to the world. (evidenced by questions like “can you tell us a little bit about Tanzania?” — when I have never even been to Tanzania). I wasn’t just a woman, or just in tech..
I had to confront different parts me, put myself to the test and find out who I really was.
You never know you’re in a bubble until you come out of that bubble
This is me on a journey, reflecting on things that I care deeply about and have found to be reflections of who I really am.
My Hair.
What is beautiful hair?
A simple google search reveals:
In high school, everyone was expected to keep their hair short or straighten it into a ponytail. I had my hair short, but never questioned why hair had to be straightened. I knew if it wasn’t, it would be rough and unkempt. In fact, part of my job as a prefect was to weed out student’s whose hair wasn’t perfectly laid down. When I started growing my hair, if I’d not straightened it, i’d cover it in a hat or wrap it in a scarf. When I did my hair, I’d always put extensions or braids. On TV, females wear their hair straight, or have it in weaves or wigs. I was never bothered — beautiful was straight. It could flow in the wind, very narrowly-toothed combs had to go through hair for it to be beautiful
Then I left Kenya.
Now I’m the complete opposite.
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