BIRTHDAY WISHES FOR YOU

Our first birthday has come and gone and it would not have existed without you all. First and foremost, thank you to everyone who has believed in this vision from the beginning and thank you to those who will come to support this great cause.

You all have been so good to us that on our first birthday celebration, we actually want to take a moment to celebrate YOU.

As someone who is beyond honored to have the privilege of being the Editor of this remarkable website, I have a few remarks I would like to share with you. Collegiate Curls is not just about giving tips or advice on how to stay fly through different hairstyles. It is not only about showcasing ethnic kinds of hair. It is not simply a social club where like-haired people can meet and exchange discussion. We are all these things, but so much more.

Collegiate curls is not about the physical – it is about transcending the physical into a higher state of self-awareness through community and harnessing self-love from within.

With the ever-present demeaning attitudes and stereotypes placed upon minority communities (especially the Black community but also on the Hispanic/Latino community, LGBTQ folk, the Arab and Muslim world, disabled bodies, etc…the list goes on) we want to remind you that your strength lies in your response to your circumstances.

The world will try to beat you down and tell you that you are not important. It will attempt to strip you of your identity and make you believe that second place is your only option. Those who do not understand you, will dismiss you and your struggles as irrelevant. Those people are scared of your power. They recognize the potential in you, but do not want you to seek that potential in yourself. Fear is the root of evil and the root of fear is a lack of understanding.

We are here to tell you that you are powerful.

You are beautiful.

You are important.

You are valued.

And you never forget that.

When you begin to recognize and appreciate your self-worth, you radiate a confidence that others cannot deny. They must acknowledge your presence when you enter a room because your presence is Big, Bold, and Beautiful.

We told you what Collegiate Curls is not. Here is what it is: we are a tool waiting to help you discover the best version of yourself.

We appreciate your beauty, even when you look in the mirror and might not like what you see.

We respect your fierceness for simply living in a world that might despise your being.

We admire your insecurities, because they make you into the wholesome person you are.

We love your blackness, because it is what makes you shine bright in this dark world.

It should not stop there though. Just as we are trying to support you, you must also support one another. Change is difficult with just one warrior – an army however – is a different story. Our community cannot thrive if we do not care for one another, protect one another, and accept one another.

This might be difficult to hear, but it is impossible to ignite change if you look to your neighbor and proceed to condemn them for being different than you.

I am speaking to men regarding women.

I am speaking to the heterosexual minorities regarding the homosexual minorities.

I am speaking to those who feel privileged for having a lighter skin tone than a darker one.

I am speaking to all of you.

As a community under fire for simply existing, we do not need any more systems of oppression within our bounds. We need unity, sacrifice, and love.

Courtney Hicks, our founder and president, has a few words to share with you. I conclude with these remarks because she captures the essence of this birthday note.

“I would like to thank everyone for their support of Collegiate Curls thus far. I never imagined the impact that my “little org” would have. To all the members: remember to be unapologetically you. No matter how scary, activate your passion and success will follow. Stay tuned; the best is yet to come”

We realize the world is a scary place. However, Courtney never could have created this organization if she was held back by fear. Believe in yourself, because we believe in you.

Thank you once again for making our birthday possible.

We love you all.