Was Changing My Image Worth It?

The first week of August in 2008 was a life changing week for me. I had grown my hair very long since 2007 and I became known for my wild and daring hairstyles. It just so happened that I started to have a lot of problems since I had my hair so long. Although I was an adult, my parents disapproved of the styles of my hair. I also began to have problems with my hair at church. The hair was too much / too wild. I was very defiant and angry because I didn't think anyone had anything to do with me or my hair. I felt that having my hair was my thing and everyone else should just leave me alone. People told me I looked dangerous and like a hoodlum with my hair but I really wasn't bothered by this. After being the stubborn person I am for a couple of months, I decided it was time to cut my hair. This is where the first week of August in 2008 came into play. I decided to cut my hair that Thursday since I had church that night anyway. After the hair cut everyone was surprised and approving of the haircut. I was angry by this because my motto is "Take me as I am or have nothing!!!" but I got over it and decided to show the hair cut off.

About 2 weeks later a good friend of mine invited me and a couple of other friends over so we can relax and talk about old times. I decided since he hadn't seen me with no hair yet, I would surprise him. When we came together he was shocked by my hair cut because he remembered the love I had for my hair. We all laughed and joked and stayed over all night just relaxing and talking. Since I was getting tired and I knew I had Sunday morning service to attend to in about 5 hours I decided to leave along with my other friend. I had my digital camera with me because I wanted to show the guys a few things. While walking to the train station I had my camera on my wrist swinging it back and forward. I saw some guys on the street corner run in my direction. " Let me see that" one of them told me gesturing to my camera. "Na man" I replied. A split second later his fist hit my jaw leaving me in shock. Afterward, about 3 other guys came running to the scene to assist him if me and my friend tried anything and he proceeded to take my camera. I knew then this was a robbery.

While relaxing with my friends we walked around the area several times that night not knowing if these guys were watching us or not. When my friend saw what was going on he ran to my aid telling the guys to "chill" because he knew I caused no trouble. Turns out he knew the guys and he was telling my attacker "I know you man why are you doing this? " The reply from one of the guys with him was "he know you but he don't like ya man". I'm trying to figure out why this was happening and they continued to cause trouble. My friend was blocking me and my attacker and I was struck once more in the face. "This can't be happening I thought. I am not being robbed right now."

After this they took my chain my grandfather gave to me right off of my neck, my cellular phone, my digital camera, my Nike book bag right off of my back, and the $7 I had in my wallet. I had to plead with them to get my wallet back to retrieve my Identification. They threw it to the floor so I can can fetch it. I felt like a dog. It was very sad. One of the guys had his hand in his pants so I don't know what he had with him. Letting them have what they wanted was the best thing to do anyway because it wasn't worth my life or the life of my friend. Thankfully my friend didn't get robbed due to him calling them out loudly and for that they fled the scene. Reality set in that I was just robbed for the first time in my life.

Why can't people work for what they want instead of taking it from innocent people who work hard for anything they have? It is wrong to do this and Karma will come to those who hurt others and steal from them. I thought cutting my hair was a great thing. I don't regret it but when I did have my hair people saw me as a thug type but after I cut it people saw me as a respectable young man which probably made me a target. Maybe I should of had all of that hair to scare those guys off. What's done is done and all that was taken from me is replaced but I still wonder was changing my image worth it? Then I think, GOD is good. I could've been hurt badly but I walked away only with an aching jaw. That's it. So I am glad I changed my image because I am not a thug but I am a child of GOD and if people accept that or not they must see it in me! As for the robbers, they will get theirs. I am not worried or filled with vengeance. Be careful out there people. Please, Be careful.