Emily Lanier

One thing I have always made a big part of my identity is my red hair. Not always was it a characteristic I loved, but I also experienced the curse I believed it brought onto me. If someone ever complimented my hair, my immediate thoughts were that they were being sarcastic because why would anyone ever want to stand out in such a way. Being born in a family of all brunettes and blondes, I had always felt this way. But as I matured and learned who I am, this curse became a blessing. I had finally grasped all the whys that consumed my every thought. Why my red hair is all people saw, why I felt like my identity was out of my control, why I was different. I began to accept and embrace my uniqueness. I purposely wore colors that make my red hair pop out, I accepted burning to a crisp everytime I stepped in the sun, I expressed the “fiery” personality that comes with being a redhead. Now, my red hair is my favorite aspect about myself. This experience taught me many other things along with simply accepting a hair color. I learned no matter how small or large an obstacle is, there will always be a way to overcome it. I became a stronger person.