So let me set the scene for you, it’s early sophomore year and young Jos decides to get dreads.

My parents and many teachers were against the change. I remember a certain journalism teacher’s words, “But you were so pretty!” (Note from that journalism teacher: I said, “You ARE so pretty!” ARE not WERE!) Also,my father refused to talk to me for about a week. No matter what any of them said to me, I always pointed out the fact that it was my hair and if they didn’t like it they could look away.

As if dodging comments from teachers wasn’t bad enough, I was also constantly bombarded by questions from my peers, acquaintances, friends, literally everyone that saw me. OMG how do you even get it to do that? OMG was it hard to do that to your hair? OMG do you even like wash your hair? OMG do you think you are black or something now? OMG can I touch your hair?

The question that startled me the most was “Jos, why did you get dreads?” It took all my will-power not to say “Excusseeeee me? Why did you cut your hair? Why did you dye your hair? Why do you style your hair like that?” When your friend cuts their hair, or grows their hair out, or dyes their hair, you don’t ask them why. You notice that they wanted to change it up a bit or that they wanted to try something new. It’s the same with me, I just didn’t go the traditional [boring] route.