I thought that perhaps this phenomenon was exclusive to liminal mixed-Black folks. I eventually met other Black people who loved metal like me, and was surprised to hear that no matter what shade of Black we were, from dark to light, most of us had been treated as if liking metal made us less Black.

I feel freest sporting my natural hair. I love running my fingers through my strands in the shower, feeling the cushion that it is, thanks to its fullness. I enjoy finger detangling with my Jamaican black castor oil, the connection I feel as I run the tips of my fingers from root to end. I miss all the length I would have had, had I treated it with care.