Lyrics of 'I Am Not My Hair (feat. P! Nk)' by India.Arie

Dat da da dat da
Dat da da dat da
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Dat da da dat da

Little girl with the press and curl
Age eight I got a Jheri curl
Thirteen I got a relaxer
I was a source of so much laughter
At fifteen when it all broke off
Eighteen and went all natural
February two thousand and two
I went and did
What I had to do
Because it was time to change my life
To become the women that I am inside
Ninety-seven dreadlocks all gone
I looked in the mirror
For the first time and saw that hey

I am not my hair
I am not this skin
I am not your expectations no no
I am not my hair
I ma not this skin
I am a soul that lives within

I don't think I'll ever buy another comb, if it means I'll be pigeon-holed
Hair grows no matter what you do, and don't you wish that people did too?
Black or pink or blue and green, change is scary, but worth it believe me
Never really even gave it much thought, I'm sorry it's so important to y'all, but hey

(Whoa, whoa, whoa)
Does the way I wear my hair make me a better person?
(Whoa, whoa, whoa)
Does the way I wear my hair make me a better friend?
Oooh
(Whoa, whoa, whoa)
Does the way I wear my hair determine my integrity?
(Whoa, whoa, whoa)
I am expressing my creativity
(Whoa, whoa, whoa)

Breast Cancer and Chemotherapy
Took away her crown and glory
She promised God if she was to survive
She would enjoy everyday of her life ooh
On national television
Her diamond eyes are sparkling
Bald headed like a full Moon shining
Singing out to the whole wide world like hey

If I wanna shave it close
Or if I wanna rock locks
That don't take a bit away
From the soul that I got
Dat da da dat da
Dat da da dat da
Dat da da dat da
Dat da da dat da

If I wanna where it braided
All down my back
I don't see what wrong with that
Dat da da dat da
Dat da da dat da
Dat da da dat da
Dat da da dat da