April 13 - Hair can be a powerful way people express who they are and where they come from. Think about your own hair, your style, texture, or how you choose to wear it. How does your hair connect to your culture or your identity? Describe a moment when your hair made you feel proud, uncomfortable, or misunderstood, and explain why.

Response: I've been through a long journey with my hair over the course of my life. For the longest time, I had it buzzed until 7th grade. Eventually, I started growing it out to a small afro and wore that until the middle of 11th grade. Once I left St. Pius and came to Lakeside, I knew that it was finally time to grow my hair out. Ever since I was younger, I always wanted to have my hair as long as my sister or my mom's, but never committed to it because of fear and I didn't want to maintain it. Another main reason was that my middle school and St. Pius both said that boys can't have their hair over their eyebrows, below their collar, or touching their ears. Of course, I always slightly broke these rules by having my hair just barely violate the rules to where I wouldn't get in trouble. Leaving St. Pius and coming to Lakeside represented freedom from the restrictions on my personal identity. Once I started growing out my hair, I felt like I was finally living the life I was destined to live. Especially this year, as my hair grows longer and longer past my ears, eyes, and to my shoulders, everyday I've felt like this is exactly where I'm meant to be. I choose to wear my hair long and in my face, with my curls being very prominent. A moment I felt proud of my hair identity was when I went to Puerto Rico last summer. This was the first time I visited the island with my hair at shoulder length (last time my hair was just a mini afro), and the humidity of the island brought out my curls and my length more than I had ever seen before. All the grandkids have really curly hair, so seeing all of my family members and their prominent curls just like mine made me proud of where I and my hair comes from.

Summary: Today, we had a virtual assignment.

Reflection: I can't wait for when I go back to Puerto Rico this summer and see how long my hair has grown since last year.

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