Why is it?

Today was rather, well interesting. A former student, who is growing locs, told me that he was being pressured into cutting his hair by others because "nobody would hire him looking like that". Mind you, he is handsome, and his locs are meticuously neat.

I went to a Mexican restaurant today and receive approving glances at my head by those of other ethnicities. The waiter, who is Mexican, actually reached over and touched my hair before I knew it and said (in broken English mind you), "Very PRETTY hair!"

Why is it that those of my own race and background see me growing my hair this way (the way that it NATURALLY grows) as a hinderance and those of other races see it as "Very PRETTY hair"?

Are we that self-hating that we will not accept those of us that embrace our natural beauty?

I don't grow my locs out of rebellion or for spiritual reasons or because it's a fad. I just simply feel that this is the way that God made me, and He makes NO mistakes. Who am I to hate or alter what He loves?

Conversion.....

I GOT MY NAPPYLOC TOOL TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yea ME! I am now Captain of my hair destiny! I have ALWAYS HATED going to beauty shops. That was one of the first reasons that I had a dear friend (Big ups to you Trina if you are reading this!) SHAVE my head during the Spring of 1999!

I hate waiting for someone else to do something TO me. I hate the WHOLE process. Don't get me wrong, my Sisterlock Consultant (Shout out to Bernita - Choices Salon, Jackson, MS) is the BOMB! I never have to wait for her and her service is great. However, I have been so burned in the past, that that is a fear in the back of my mind.

All of you locticians, cosmetolgists, braidologists (however you label your craft :)) who do your thing and do it professionally, I want to be the first to say WE APPRECIATE YOU! You don't book THREE people at 1! LOL! (I have had this happen plenty of times with plenty of beauty salons. I mean really, THREE folks ain't gone cancel!). Thank you for not eating your lunch, talking on the phone, and working on our heads AT THE SAME TIME! Thank you for not being on CPT with a line going out the door and wrapped around the building! LOL! (Visual imagery - can you see it!)

Yes, a little dramatic, I know, but it gets the point across don't you think?!?!

ANYWHO.....YEAH ME! No more two hour drives to Jack-town unless it is a special occasion or I need me time. I have been looking for a good loctician or Sisterlock consultant or trainee within 30 miles of my home....no luck. I know, I know, I live in the boonies. Bernita has also spoiled me for anyone else in my area I think.

So, I have to become a DIYer for me and my daughter. Hey, maybe I'll start locking folks up....whatcha think? YEA ME!

Let's Do Better for Our Children!

Now, I would like to ask a question and would appreciate any comments that you may have. Why is it that Blacks are almost always the first to demean and disrespect other Blacks?

As an educator, I witness this on a continual basis. Students relish in telling a darker-skinned student how "ugly", "unattractive", "ashy", "tarbaby-like", "charcoal", "burnt", and etc....that he or she is. What is this insanity?

Also, when it comes to hair, WE (I use VERY loosely) will quickly and proudly describe Black hair in its natural state using the following terms: "cu-co-buds", "cantcha-dontcha", "steel wool", you name it, I probably have heard it. What is this foolishness that we are instilling in our children? Much of this is now coming from our own community. We have been thoroughly indoctrinated with very hateful terminology. At what point do we take responsibility for our own negative protrayal and self-hating imagery?

I am so fed up with seeing 4 year old girls with bald spots on their hair lines, in the center (where weave ponytails have been frequently placed), and eaten up "kitchens" (the nape area). I have been pressured by many to put a perm or a hot comb in my little lady's head. Once, for a pageant, I did. Her virgin hair sweated "back" that very same day. She stated (at 4 years old) that she "NEVER EVER THAT AGAIN! Mommy! how could you DO this to ME!" My heart broke into 3 billion pieces because I know first-hand the pain, heat, and merciless pull of the hot comb. I promised her that very same day that I would NEVER EVER DO THAT TO HER AGAIN.

So far, I am holding to that promise. Her braidlocks were installed (by me) on April 7th 2008. Check out the smile!

FINALLY!

After all the reading and researching, I have FINALLY started my own blog that will rep my VERY OWN THOUGHTS!!!!!!!!!!!! What in the world?!?!?!? Why have I NOT done this before?!?!?! I am a teacher, so you know that I LOVE to share my opinions, thoughts, etc.....with a name meaning "messenger" I couldn't help myself.

So if you want to know what I think about anything at ALL, just stay posted. This blog will include, but not be limited to all things natural, sisterlocks, braidlocs, Greek life, black issues, politics, science, community, teaching, students, college, Christianity, and my LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST!!!!!!

As my illustrious mother always says, "ya paid fo da ride, now get yo rockin' free!"