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Transition
Around the time of the ball dropping in Times Square I set aside time to review. Review the past year, and develop a plan for the next year.
It seems like 2011 just flew by! For much of it, I feel like I was auto pilot, the details seem blurry. Our multi-tasking, social media, smart phones, tablets, gadgets, tv and whatever distractions from faith, friends and family. In 2012, I want to slow down and be a little more present. I started 2011 by sharing tips to achieve your Resolution.
2011’s Buzz was natural hair’s popularity and come back!!
The number of black women who say they do not use products to chemically relax or straighten their hair jumped to 36% in 2011, up from 26% in 2010, according to a report by Mintel, a consumer spending and market research firm. Sales of relaxer kits dropped by 17% between 2006 and 2011, according to Mintel. [1]
Those who follow natural hair can’t be surprised.
Even Dr. Drew touched on the topic of natural hair!
Inspiration • Legends • Scene • Natural Hair Supporters • herStory • Transition • Contributor • Why I Went Natural • Product Junkie • Finds • Boadcast • Web Links •
This week’s inspiraton is not a music video, but a news story.
Its so weird hearing about your dirty laundry on the news like featured on our past post I can’t Sweat My Hair Out. Yeah - us Black women have some issues of self hatred, but we’re working on it…dang! It is however, an amazing feeling to know our issues are American issues. They are no longer just discussed in the privacy of our home, but on movie screens and late night news. There is no where to hide!!!
After watching Rochelle Ritchie’s story on Going Natural (video posted below) my eyes filled up with tears . This video, unlike Good Hair didn’t just talk about our imperfections, but provided a solutions… I won’t ruin the story for you…just watch below…
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From the humid and lovely city of Houston, Texas I am Aaronni. Growing up I begged my mother for a perm from the age of 6-9. She would constantly tell me “Aaronni your hair is beautiful, you don’t need a perm.” But as a girl who was the ONLY girl in school with out a perm, I refused to believe her. So at the age of 9 I got my first perm and I loved it…for a while.
Fast forward to March 2009.
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The Black Power movement showed the progression of the Black race. For the first time in history, American Blacks had the opportunity to name themselves… African-American. Terms like Negro and Colored were considered taboo.
Black history month is proof that African-American history is becoming more mainstream and common knowledge. I learned few facts growing up, but the majority of my Black history knowledge was attained after high school in my undergraduate studies.
In gaining Black history knowledge or “consciousness” many people go through a Black Power stage, sometimes in an extreme sense. To become pro-Black, as we know, does not necessarily mean anti-White or prejudice. It is an expression of self pride. An expression, which at a time, was absent in our mainstream society.
I consider this Black consciousness stage similar to the consciousness of natural hair.
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Guest Blogger: Tiffany
Tiffany left the comforts of Linden, NJ in order to embark on a new adventure in Philadelphia, PA. After 5 years and becoming a fine connoisseur of ramen noodles, she graduated within the top percentile of her class and received her BArch. from Temple University. Upon graduation, she started working at a nationally recognized architecture firm and began her quest to save the world – one building at a time. In the spring of 2009, Tiffany entered amongst the elite as a registered architect; and has been committed to advancing the field through various diversity initiatives such as bringing awareness to elementary school students and mentoring college bound young adults. Tiffany does not like chocolate – nor does she care for pastel colors. She enjoys long walks on the beach and enhancing the beauty and spirit of her old Victorian-styled home with her bare hands. When she is not tending to her afro, she is cuddled up with a good inspirational book, listening to loud rock music or encouraging her musician husband to never lose faith and continue on his quest to become a rock star.
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So.
I was one of those people that were born with a FULL head of hair… It seems like from the very beginning that I was destined to have a life full of hair stories…I am finally beginning to realize that my hair is actually a vehicle for my strength and wisdom today.
My journey begins with the legendary straighten comb and tiny braids and cornrows with beads on the ends… These were my mother’s saving graces…
They seemed to be the only thing to make my hair manageable – or maintained and presentable for a period of time…
BUT… not only did I have a full head of hair – I was tender headed…
Sadness.
Pain.
Tears.
I am sure that this was not a place that any mother would want to see their daughter. It was horrible.
No matter what she did – I was either:
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