Someone said in a comment on my Facebook page (Facebook.com/TaricaJune) that my #nofakelocs hashtag is basically offensive and judgmental. I’m blogging here my response in case others are thinking/feeling the same or otherwise feeling triggered by it.

“Thank you for your comment. I created the #nofakelocs hashtag (which is one of my Instagram hashtags) because many people assume my locs are fake and they’re not. I have absolutely #nofakelocs. It is not meant as a judgment. But it IS meant to push back against the pervasive idea that our hair can not grow long and be healthy and beautiful, and that if it is, we must have weaves (which is what people’s assumption that my hair is fake is based in).

The hashtag means no disrespect to you or anyone else.