Raising confident kids is hard under most circumstances. As Black parents, the challenges associated with instilling confidence and a sense of pride into our children can be even more complicated. Especially when it comes to their hair and skin color. Believe me when I say, it’s hard out there for the parents of a Black child especially when you consider the impact of the … [Read more...]
Your Son is a Real N-Word. This is NOT Pretty Hair…
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Sunne's Gift When Ama Karikari-Yawson heard the barber say that her son was a real “n-word” who did not have “pretty hair” she was sickened by the experience. Like many mom’s Yawson took her son Jojo to the barbershop for a quick cut. Previously, the barber had always shaved Jojo’s hair into a baldie. But this time Yawson asked that he only give her son a low cut as she … [Read more...]
“Hair Me Out”: Barber Shops, Hair Salons & Community Safety
I came across an interesting article the other day about a program called “Hair Me Out” which is looking at the role of Barber Shops and Hair Salons in the battle against intra-community violence (aka “horizontal violence”). The project is designed to get beauticians and barbers to play an active role in the discussion around what causes community violence and to help put an … [Read more...]
Fruitvale Station: Yearning for a Different Ending
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“It’s easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.” Frederick Douglass When my husband and I went to see Fruitvale Station I made sure to bring tissue. Not because I cry easily but because every one of our friends who’d seen it advised that there was not a dry eye in the theaters where they saw the highly acclaimed film. There’s no doubt that the movie … [Read more...]
My Hair vs. My Lover
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It’s a sad secret in the natural hair community. Sometimes you want to go natural but you’re not sure how the love of your life will take it. If you are like many women considering how to transition from chemically straightened hair to a natural hair style—your love interest’s potential reaction can be a big factor. We have to be honest about the fact that “going natural” … [Read more...]