Decolonized Boys Wear Braids

“Mama, I love my long hair. It’s my wings.” Lapu-Lapu who turned 4 years old on June 22nd, 2019 declares his connection to his ancestors. On a recent trip to one of his motherlands, Mexico, Lapu-Lapu wore his braids and was complemented by many of the Mexican folks he engaged with. Often, they were surprised that his hair was so long and that he is a boy. We have taught Lapu-Lapu to speak up and share his emotions as it relates to his name, hair and overall identity.

“Mama, why do they think I am a girl?” I tell him that in mainstream society most boys/men do not wear their hair long.  I tell him that his ancestors wear their hair long. I tell him that King Lapu-Lapu wore his hair long to fly and defend his peoples in the Philippines. I tell him that Quetzalcoatl, the Aztec God who is a bird has long hair by way of his wings. This is why Lapu-Lapu associates his hair with flight and freedom.

“Mama, Decolonized Boys Wear Braids.” Lapu-Lapu declares and proceeds to ask his Dada why he is not decolonized. “Dada, why do you not have long hair.” “Dada, be like me and Decolonize.” Lapu-Lapu declares and I look at my husband and say, “well, why not? You use to have long hair back in the day.”

“Mama, what does decolonized mean?” I tell him decolonized means to be free of any social constructions imposed on US in AmeriKKKa by THEM.. He tells me: “Mama, Decolonized Boys Wear Braids!” I tell him, “Si, Bebe, keep being decolonized and fly free in this world. Your hair is your wings and power!

In Solidarity,

La Doctora