Hair, Self Esteem, & Pain

So I'm going back to school next week and I've been trying to decide what to do with my hair. I don't really wanna go to any random salon up there to get a touch up because I don't know if they'll mess my hair up. I can't be taking chances.

When I was younger, I used to either rock braids or get my unrelaxed hair straightened by my mom with a hot comb (... usually early Sunday morning before church!). I didn't get my first relaxer until I was 15 (New Years Eve 2005, during my sophomore year of high school). I had always wanted one but my mom was concerned it would be bad for my hair & now I'm glad she me wait. Relaxers are bad for hair - straight up (no pun intended).

Now it's 2009, I'm getting ready to go back to college and I've been wanting to get braids again since I haven't had them in nearly 4 years. They're easier to manage and give me more motivation to exercise: with braids I don't have to be concerned with sweating out my hair & having to wash and straighten it all the time. BUT I've realized I can't get them now because I just got a relaxer two months ago & I don't want my hair to break off :( So now I'm gonna wait until winter break (5 months from now), let my hair grow out, and get braids then. Hopefully I won't kill my hair; I've grown so scared of that happening!

SKIP TO THIS PART IF YOU DON'T CARE TO READ ABOUT MY HAIR'S LIFE STORY.

So I've been doing a little bit of research online (haircare blogs & what not are glorious) and earlier today I came across a video and something about how NOT to care for your child's hair. This video is heartbreaking and a mess. I'm actually ashamed for this mother and for the woman filming it (supposedly her sister). And my heart hurts for her children. The 5 minute video shows the mom trying to comb/brush her daughter's hair & she's treating her like crap, cursing at her, making her hate her hair, etc. When another child comes on the screen, the person filming says "You're next!!!!" ... Ridiculous.

Read THIS about it if you don't wanna watch it

Here's the video, which I'm sure a lot of people have already seen (I'm late on stuff a lot of the time!):

This video reminded me of the Tyra Show episode about hair, which was probably the best episode she's ever had. She often talks about a lot of stupid stuff and she is a big know-it-all, but this is really good. If you have the time, watch it too & tell me what you think. (At least watch parts 3 & 4, the parts with the little kids)

She even mentions the documentary Chris Rock has been making (the trailer for it just came out maybe a few weeks ago?) which I can't wait to see. It's called "Good Hair."

Sorry for the 472897432 videos but this is a good topic & it's what's been on my mind for the past few weeks. Leave your thoughts!