Tabitha Rowley is a woman who has been through a lot. Her story is one of the stories that are in this book. Here's the link for a little background of the book itself.
At the end of her story she says that her purpose of writing her story was because she hopes it will "wake up other misguided young people and prevent them from having to experience the degradation, dehumanization, and isolation of prison". The best way for her to share it and to get it out of her was through her writing. Writing helped her discover many things about herself.
When writing her story, she decided to use her hair to chart the history of how she became strong physically, mentally, and spiritually. There was a connection between her styles and her self-esteem. Since she was just a girl, she was abused. Her mother was not around so much and sometimes when she was, it was hell for Tabitha. Her mother styled her hair in a way that she hated it. When she arrived at school, she changed her hairstyle and when it the day ended she styled it back the same way her mother had in the morning. She was a victim of bully because of her appearance. A particular boy used to tease her because she wore some shoes that, for him, they looked as if there were from her grandmother. He also called Tabitha a witch, because she had the same name as Samantha's daughter from the program Bewitched. After these events, and the one she had with her mother, she began to express what was going on inside of her through her hair. As she grew up, she dyed or cut her hair and this resulted in serious fights with her mother. It was a circle, whenever she fought with her mother left the house and returned with a new hairstyle causing her another fight and so on.
As life continued for Tabitha, she ends up in prison because of bad habits and bad decisions; accused for assault in the first degree. She shot her ex-boyfriend but he didn't die because of the wound shot but because of something else. Before prison she had continued to change her hair. While describing her days in prison she said: "You have to smile pretty for the staff. This place is full of depression but being locked up is better than being dead". One day she decided to stop messing around with her hair, she was going to let her hair natural, as it really is. It was then when she finally got in touch with her, who she was. Step by step she started to ask herself and answer who she was, who is she now, who is she becoming and why. She figured this out on her own.
Through this story, the reader is able to notice the presence of racism. In prison, she was treated bad by the staff. Once she received a ticket, for which she had was forced to plea guilty, because she decided to cut off her dreadlocks. Also, you are able to see how stereotypes were a factor that influenced a lot at that time.
In conclusion, her story can definitely change the way you look at things. There are people who have it worse than many. Tabatha felt that she had to share her story so that she is able to reach and help someone who may be going through something similar to what she endured. We should remember this quote she wrote: "No part of us is valueless". She found herself, even though she thought at one point it wasn't possible.
I think it was extremely brave of her to publish her life story, don't you? She knew that many people could benefit from her story, but I'm sure that she would've never though that her life would have such a positive outcome. Especially, after going to prison. Many people think that prison is the worst thing that could happen to a person, and it may be true. Nevertheless, Rowley is the perfect example that even a person that goes to prison, can become a successful and helpful person to society.
ReplyDeleteTabatha, even with her bad steps during her early life, is a very admirable person. She is an example of a person who has overcome the obstacles in her life and that now wants to help others. Stories like Tabatha's can definitely inspire others, and help those who are in bad steps. Maybe someone who wants to be write but doesn't have the economic resources can look at Tabatha and feel empowered to follow their dreams.
ReplyDeleteI think that finding herself, like you mentioned in your conclusion, was the most important detail of her life story. I believe that, in life, figuring out what we want and who we are is most important. Tabatha is definately an empowering individual, and I loved how she used her hair to define her autobiography.
ReplyDeleteIt's a shame someone as thoughtful and caring as Tabatha has proved to be wound up in such horrible situations throughout her life. But it truly is admirable that, instead of laying down and saying "I quit", she decided to write down her story as a cautionary tale for any who would give it a read. She has made the best out of her grim situation and that truly is something to look up to.
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