Sunday, March 6, 2011
3 Months!
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Pics!
So, I realized that I kinda played ya'll on the back view of my hair lol. Here's a pic that my brother took for me... oh and say "hi" to my mama in the background lol.
I like how some of them have a gangsta lean, and I have that one at the bottom that is longer than the rest. They are definitely on their way!
Hey! I kinda look like I got some hang time on this one! *On my way!*
Monday, December 27, 2010
Good Hair
I know I'm so late, but I just watched Chris Rock's documentary, Good Hair. I've made it my business to be conscious about the issues plaguing the African American community, but his documentary really brought some things to my attention. Sheesh, I really don't know where to start with this.....
Okay, let's talk about the little girls getting relaxers at four years old. I'm not going to be all snooty and look down on them and their parents, but what is going on in the minds of our women for us to think that it's okay to possibly permanently damage the hair follicles of our kids for straight hair? What I also found fascinating was the demonstration with chemical found in relaxers: it was able to burn through an aluminum can! When a drop was placed on a piece of chicken, it burned through to the "white meat" within minutes! I was stunned. I mean, I got relaxers all the way up until September of 2007, but I probably never would have done so if I had known how dangerous it was. It's shocking to know what some of us will go through for a "lye".
And then the whole weave industry. African Americans are 12% of the population and are 80% of the people who purchase weave?! Wow. It was so astonishing to hear that some of the women were paying so much money for their hair weaves that they were on payment plans! There is so much to be said about the psychological state of African American women just from that fact alone. Some women even said that they feel "more beautiful" when they have weave, hence them spending so much money on it. As an ex-weave wearer myself, I could totally relate to how they felt. I felt that what I had was not enough. It's like I wanted to compete with the girls on BET with the bodies and the flowing long hair (which was also weave). But that's when I was sick. Why do our women feel incomplete without someone else's hair on their head? Or better yet, why is natural hair still looked down upon? Fancy me, if you will. (Oh, and don't forget to subscribe!)
Okay, let's talk about the little girls getting relaxers at four years old. I'm not going to be all snooty and look down on them and their parents, but what is going on in the minds of our women for us to think that it's okay to possibly permanently damage the hair follicles of our kids for straight hair? What I also found fascinating was the demonstration with chemical found in relaxers: it was able to burn through an aluminum can! When a drop was placed on a piece of chicken, it burned through to the "white meat" within minutes! I was stunned. I mean, I got relaxers all the way up until September of 2007, but I probably never would have done so if I had known how dangerous it was. It's shocking to know what some of us will go through for a "lye".
And then the whole weave industry. African Americans are 12% of the population and are 80% of the people who purchase weave?! Wow. It was so astonishing to hear that some of the women were paying so much money for their hair weaves that they were on payment plans! There is so much to be said about the psychological state of African American women just from that fact alone. Some women even said that they feel "more beautiful" when they have weave, hence them spending so much money on it. As an ex-weave wearer myself, I could totally relate to how they felt. I felt that what I had was not enough. It's like I wanted to compete with the girls on BET with the bodies and the flowing long hair (which was also weave). But that's when I was sick. Why do our women feel incomplete without someone else's hair on their head? Or better yet, why is natural hair still looked down upon? Fancy me, if you will. (Oh, and don't forget to subscribe!)
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Colorism
I had the luxury of spending this Christmas with my family in Detroit. Amid the laughter, eating, and a mean game of connect four, a couple of my family members had some interesting opinions about locs. First, I'd like to say that I'm always on the defensive side when it comes to my hair. I've been natural for three years now, and my family hasn't really been that supportive of my decision. Or maybe it's that they really don't understand. But anywho, I'm used to defending my hair against rude and down-right ignorant comments, or family members asking me when I'm going to press it out to see "how long it is". Yesterday was a spin on that. I guess most of my family are used to my hair, but when I made the suggestion that my younger cousin should start locking, I was surprised to hear the comments.
My cousin, who is 17, has a rich ebony complexion. He has some of the most beautiful black skin that I've ever seen. Sadly, he's been surrounded by people who have decided that his skin is ugly. I can't count all of the names I've heard over the years: "blacky" Chan, burnt, crispy, ugly. When I made the suggestion that he start his locking process (which he was excited about and was milking me for suggestions) my aunt made the statement that he has "enough problems with his appearance as it is". What does that mean? Because he's darkskinned there is a problem with his appearance? And because locs are so dreadful and disgusting looking, that would make his "problem" worse? Excuse my jaded reaction to this statement, but I really think that we as a people are still sick. We're still convinced that if you're "white, you're alright, if you're brown, stick around, if you're black, get back". What does it take for us to shake these awefully engrained bits of self-hatred?
My cousin, who is 17, has a rich ebony complexion. He has some of the most beautiful black skin that I've ever seen. Sadly, he's been surrounded by people who have decided that his skin is ugly. I can't count all of the names I've heard over the years: "blacky" Chan, burnt, crispy, ugly. When I made the suggestion that he start his locking process (which he was excited about and was milking me for suggestions) my aunt made the statement that he has "enough problems with his appearance as it is". What does that mean? Because he's darkskinned there is a problem with his appearance? And because locs are so dreadful and disgusting looking, that would make his "problem" worse? Excuse my jaded reaction to this statement, but I really think that we as a people are still sick. We're still convinced that if you're "white, you're alright, if you're brown, stick around, if you're black, get back". What does it take for us to shake these awefully engrained bits of self-hatred?
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas to everyone! In lieu of the occasion, I decided to add a picture of this gorgeous loc'd mama, wrapping presents for some very lucky children, I'm sure.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Month 1!
Hello bloggers! (or should I say, "future bloggers")
I've decided to start this blog so that I can chart my locking process. I've been inspired by so many loc'd ladies, so I figured that I'd share my joys, frustrations, and frizzies... with other people. I want to enjoy this journey! I'm looking forward to receiving valuable information, because I really am a noob when it comes to the whole world of locking. If you have ANY advice to give to me, please feel free! This is my second go-round with locs, but I plan on it being the last! But in any case....
Month 1: I want my hair to grow already! Maybe I'm just suffering from postpartum depression because I had so much more hair until I got a "trim" from the scissor witch. I took out my loc extensions, wore my own locs for a while, but then decided that I wanted to start over to make my locs more uniform. BIG MISTAKE. After I combed my own locs out, I decided to wear a fro for a few weeks before I locked again. I went to a very well-known salon in Grand Rapids, and this lady chopped my hair something terrible! I spent the next few months alternating between kinky twists, weaves, and my fro until I was able to get some length back. Sadly, all that manipulation wasn't good on my fragile hair, so I wasn't able to retain much length. So here I am, after all of the experimentation I've done with my hair. I'm leaving it ALONE....well, of course not completely :-D. I know that I'll have to maintain my hair in order to insure beautiful healthy locs. In the meanwhile, I feel sort of ....naked. I can't really style them that much and they don't hang all sadiddy down my neck (lol). With my loc extensions, I had them tri-colored and they were cut into a bob (fierce!!). Now I am back to the basics and trying to hold out until I get to the promised land. Can't wait to get my milk and honey!
Side View
Top/Front View
Back view (looks kinda gross if you ask me)
I've decided to start this blog so that I can chart my locking process. I've been inspired by so many loc'd ladies, so I figured that I'd share my joys, frustrations, and frizzies... with other people. I want to enjoy this journey! I'm looking forward to receiving valuable information, because I really am a noob when it comes to the whole world of locking. If you have ANY advice to give to me, please feel free! This is my second go-round with locs, but I plan on it being the last! But in any case....
Month 1: I want my hair to grow already! Maybe I'm just suffering from postpartum depression because I had so much more hair until I got a "trim" from the scissor witch. I took out my loc extensions, wore my own locs for a while, but then decided that I wanted to start over to make my locs more uniform. BIG MISTAKE. After I combed my own locs out, I decided to wear a fro for a few weeks before I locked again. I went to a very well-known salon in Grand Rapids, and this lady chopped my hair something terrible! I spent the next few months alternating between kinky twists, weaves, and my fro until I was able to get some length back. Sadly, all that manipulation wasn't good on my fragile hair, so I wasn't able to retain much length. So here I am, after all of the experimentation I've done with my hair. I'm leaving it ALONE....well, of course not completely :-D. I know that I'll have to maintain my hair in order to insure beautiful healthy locs. In the meanwhile, I feel sort of ....naked. I can't really style them that much and they don't hang all sadiddy down my neck (lol). With my loc extensions, I had them tri-colored and they were cut into a bob (fierce!!). Now I am back to the basics and trying to hold out until I get to the promised land. Can't wait to get my milk and honey!
Side View
Top/Front View
Back view (looks kinda gross if you ask me)
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