21 Months - Wearing My Testimony

"The education of any people should begin with the people themselves..."

The Mis-Education of the Negro

Carter G. Woodson

The dialogue, uplifting posts, new friends, prayers and support that I've received of late from my online family brought to mind Carter G. Woodson's quote above. That's what we are doing through our blogs, web sites, Fotki albums, LockItUp and other groups - educating our people, beginning with our people. That's empowering and fulfilling.

I posted recently about someone who read my entire blog - beginning to end. It blew me away while vividly reminding me of me when I first discovered SL. I read Sandy's site - from her installation to 5 years of loc'dom. I stalked that site reading it through at least 3-4 times. I was simply fascinated by this discovery of mine...a kinda "weird" feeling - natural awakenings perhap? (wink to RJQ) I was convicted of two things: 1.) that Sisterlocks were the answer for me; 2.) that I wanted to document my story as well. (As my locks matured through each stage, I used Sandy's site as a reference.)

You can't imagine my pride at helping to open the door for another. And I've come to learn there are others who have done the same. Anonymous wrote:

I just wanted to say that your blog helped me with my decision to get Sisterlocks. I have been locked now for 9 weeks and can't remember the last time I was this happy with my natural hair. I've given your blog to those that are interested in getting Sisterlocks and have heard all good things. I'm one of those people that have read your blog from beginning to end and now that I have Sisterlocks I go back to see what was happening with your hair each month and it gives me a heads up for what to expect. Thanks for taking the time to document your journey for all of us.

(Mad love to Anonymous, JTM and RJQ, new friends...and blessings. Shoutout to my gurl Char in Cali - you always got me, gurl! I appreciate you.)

As I continue to experience this "cultural awakening," I can share with others who will, in turn, share with others and others....whether they embrace it or not. But rockin' some slammin, neat, funky, NATURAL Sisterlocks is one of the BEST method of sistuhs beginning to educate sistuhs 'cause we wear our testimony!

Tomorrow I'm 21 months on loc'down and still luvin it. Check out these great pics below that Gigi took at my retightening on Saturday. She has to submit photos to continue her certification, a requirement every two years. The photos demonstrate to the home office that she's upholding the SL method in which parting and sectioning are very important. Look how precise her work is - luv that sistuh!

I know the initial installation cost may throw some - it threw me. But I was drawn to SL. My mind was so made up. I sacrificed and saved until I had enough because I knew that I knew that I knew that SL were for me. I'm willing to pay for the kind of professionalism, experience and quality I get from a certified consultant with Gigi's experience. I've paid more to sit and wait 4-6 hours for someone to put harmful chemicals in my hair - and did it religiously until an internal restlessness wouldn't allow me to continue.

The beauty of Sisterlocks is - should I CHOOSE to care for them myself - I can. I'm no longer enslaved by my hair - but free because of it. And the journey continues...

Braidout: Put hair in about 20 braids, spritz with Lottabody/water combo, tuck ends under. Take down next morning, finger comb. Pull sides up, clip and go! This style has lasted over a week now and still going strong. At night I pull into a pony and go to sleep. Ahhh! The liberating freedom of Sisterlocks.