Just this week, Lonnie Walker cut off his signature dreads, but there was a deeper meaning in him parting ways with his locs.
The San Antonio Spurs star said goodbye to years of pain inflicted by rape, abuse and sexual harassment he experienced as a child.
The 21-year-old revealed in an emotional Instagram post that he was abused the summer after fifth grade, and chose to grow out his hair as a “cloaking device,” and as a means of maintaining some aspect of control over his life.
“During the summer of my 5th grade year I was around more family. Some [whose] names will be left alone I was around more,” he wrote. “I was sexually harassed, raped, abused, I even got accustomed to it because being at that age you don’t know what is what. I was a gullible curious kid that didn’t know what the real world was. I had a mindset that my hair was something that I can control.”
In a video shared to social media, Walker covered his face as the final piece of his signature long hair was buzzed off.
“My hair was what I can make and create and be mine. And it gave my confidence. As of recently I wasn’t at my best. Previous History popping up in my head and it sucked mentally “demons”….. because of this virus, I began to truly look at myself in the mirror and see who I truly was even behind closed doors. Long story short I have found peace and internal happiness through this journey god willingly.
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I forgave everyone even the people that don’t deserve it why? Because it’s dead weight. Time doesn’t wait on anyone so why should I waste my time on it ? Me cutting my hair was more than a cut. My hair was a mask of me hiding the insecurity’s that I felt the world wasn’t ready for. But now better then ever. Out with old. In with the new.
I have shed my skin mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Life will always be hard. Gotta play with the cards your dealt with and try and make a winning hand. And if you lose. It’s never a lost. It’s a lesson.
I’m gonna be off this for awhile still growing through this. Just know I love each and everyone one of y’all. Peace love and happiness.”
