Along with feelings of embarrassment, I struggled with conflicted feelings of anger. I didn’t ask for alopecia. I didn't ask to be jeered at or ridiculed. It infuriated me that people couldn't be empathetic about something I have no control over. I was angry at myself, angry at my hair, and angry that I couldn't control my situation…

With alopecia, I felt as if I didn't fit the mold. I grew uncomfortable with my appearance. I began to believe that people would assess me based on looks and my prospects for a romantic relationship would diminish. Fighting against the notion that it was acceptable to judge someone by their looks, I strived to do the opposite.

On January 16th, The Root posted a video that moved me both as a man of color and a person living with alopecia. Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley was poised, articulate, and stunning as she spoke about her journey to find peace after losing all of her hair to Alopecia.