In Pt. 1 of this powerful reasoning, Nesta, a reggae artist, explains why the persecution he faced for wearing dreadlocks as a child became the foundation of his confidence and identity. According to Nesta, growing up as one of the only children with dreadlocks in his Connecticut school exposed him to the same persecution his father had long sung about, simply for looking different than everyone else. He explains that his mother’s refusal to shield him from mistreatment was intentional, meant to prepare him to stand firm in who he was rather than seek anyone’s approval. He also reflects on the culture shock of later moving to Orlando, Florida, where he found himself embraced rather than singled out, discovering a Black community that celebrated his natural hair in a way Connecticut never had.