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!
