“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...]
Professional Naturals Project: Cyrene Gerard
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Welcome to the first edition of the Professional Naturals Project! The goal of this project is to 1. Promote the beautiful diversity of professional natural hairstyles, 2. Create an image gallery so that other naturals can get ideas of how they can wear their hair in the work place, 3. Provide encouragement for women who desire to be their naturally beautiful selves, … [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...]
Trayvon Martin & Mrs. Millie Go To Court
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I was in a deep nap on Saturday night just before they announced the verdict. I’d spent the day with my son, husband and grandfather-in-law getting things together for the birth of our daughter. By early evening, I was exhausted. I found myself jolted awake by the sound of CNN announcing that a verdict in the George Zimmerman case had been reached. My husband told me that … [Read more...]
Rachel Jeantel: Black Girl Misunderstood
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Rachel Jeantel is a pretty Black girl like many others I see on a regular basis. She looks Black, speaks Black English and relates to law enforcement the way that most Black folks do. But because she is a reflection of a significant portion of the masses of Black America—she forces us to confront the fact that many of us are ashamed of certain parts of who we are. Rachel … [Read more...]