Little girl with the press and curl Age eight I got a Jheri curl Thirteen then I got a relaxer I was a source of so much laughter Fifteen when it all broke off Eighteen and then I went all natural February two thousand and two I Went on and did what I had to do Cause it was time to change my life To become the women that I am inside Ninety-seven dreadlocks all gone 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 am not this skin I am the soul that lives within (Oh my God, is that Pink? Why is her hair brown?) (She must call herself Brown now) 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 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 I am not my hair, I am not this skin I am not your expectations, no no I am not my hair, I am not this skin I am the soul that lives within (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) Short or long, no brown is wrong (Whoa, whoa, whoa) I am expressing my creativity 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 On national television her diamond eyes are sparkling Bald headed like a full moon shining Singing out to the whole wide world like hey (Whoa, whoa, whoa) I am not my hair, I am not this skin I am not your expectations I am not my hair, I am not this skin I am the soul that lives within I am not my hair, I am not this skin I am not your expectations I am not my hair, I am not this skin I am the soul that lives within If I wanna shave it close or I wanna rock locs That don't take a bit away from this soul that I got If I wanna wear it braided all down my back I don't see nothing wrong with that