1963 Miss Jamaica Bernice Anderson
via
ebay.com
1 day ago on June 01, 2012 at 08:05pm
[The Great Perhaps]
Archive/RSS/Ask
Just the inner musings of a proud black woman finding/redefining and accepting herself.
Black Women’s Transitions to Natural Hair ›
A video on black women’s decision to embrace their naturally kinky hair, rather than use chemical straighteners.
What is weird to me in the comments is the white women who are like “I so identify with these women! I decided to stop coloring my hair and embrace going grey or my natural hair color and I feel so liberated!”
Um.
No.
The REASON why being a black woman with natural hair is quietly revolutionary is that there is a historical and more importantly RACIAL component to our hair. We as women of color were expected to wear our hair straight— to the point that in certain settings, natural hair is still seen as “unkempt” “dirty” and “unprofessional”. Unlike ones natural hair color, your natural texture can affect your financial future.
I remember vividly two instances where I seriously considered my hair as it pertained to my income earning power:
When I was getting ready to graduate from college, me and all my friends who had been freewheeling and natural went ahead and got more “corporately acceptable” hair styles. Men AND women. My male friends cut off their beautiful locs, me and many of my female friends got braids with straight textured hair (for a temporary solution) although some actually went ahead and relaxed their hair.
The second time around I was transitioning from the public to the private sector, and my mom, point blank, said “you’ll never get a job unless you relax your hair.” I loved my natural hair and how heatlhy it was, but I needed a job and so I went head and relaxed.
THAT is the difference… our natural textures are just starting to become accepted in spehers that influence our economic futures… more so than just a style, beauty or self acceptance thing.
THAT is the revolution in being natural. We are stating (however implicitly) that Mainstream America will accept and celebrate our natural African beauty and not punish us for refusing to conform any longer.
THIS. Everything I was thinking while I was scrolling through the comments shaking my head at all the curly haired white folk who dare to call themselves natural in the same way that black women call themselves natural. Ya’ll surely don’t like to be left out of any type of discussion at all, do you?
via
neoafrican
1 day ago on June 01, 2012 at 01:02pm
We can’t reach our highest potential in our own ability; we need God’s help. Part of releasing His help is through praying bold prayers. God is moved by our faith. If you ask small, little prayers, you’ll get little results. But if you pray big prayers, you’re going to get big results. Matthew 9:29 says, “According to your faith it will be done to you.” (NIV). If you’re going to see God’s surpassing greatness , go beyond praying little prayers and ask God to do something big in your life. God is longing to amaze you with His goodness. Dare to stretch your faith. God wants to give you the secret petitions of your heart.
(via queennubian)
1 day ago on June 01, 2012 at 12:45pm
Black Women’s Transitions to Natural Hair ›
A video on black women’s decision to embrace their naturally kinky hair, rather than use chemical straighteners.
(via daniellemertina)
via
neoafrican
1 day ago on June 01, 2012 at 12:44pm
I’m probably the only Jamaican that will not eat ox tail
But I’m okay with this
Lol, I really didn’t think any other Jamaican would agree with me on this and I was going to be cool with that too, but it’s funny that there’s someone else like me out there.
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blak-widow
1 day ago on June 01, 2012 at 10:40am
bell hooks by sarah julia clark
1 day ago on June 01, 2012 at 03:00am
Erykah Badu's Open Letter ›
HOW DARE YOU DISRESPECT THE QUEENDOM…AND MY CHILDREN AND MY INTELLIGENCE. I’ve never been so disgusted in all of my life. There is no other place I used to enjoy more. I post no where else. You guys have taken an all time low, tho. I’LL STATE MY PEACE
I am a great mother and care giver to my 2 children and to this world. My children are 2 of the kindest and happiest people I have met. I home schooled them and taught them the ways of good to the best of my ability. I am their doctor and their nurse and even sometimes their mother and their father. I am an excellent mother and resent all of the negative comments and insults on my character. I PUT MUCH TIME AND THOUGHT INTO HAVING AND RAISING MY CHILDREN. I’VE HAD THE HONORS OF HAVING 2 HOME BIRTHS AND 2 WONDERFUL PARTNERS BY MY SIDE. Every relationship I have been in was because I loved the person DEARLY and was dedicated to us “exclusively” FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.
The fathers of my children are my brothers and friends. We have a great deal of respect for one another and always will. WE LOVE OUR CHILDREN TO NO END. We took our own “vows” and CONTINUE TO UPHOLD THEM. AND THAT IS WHAT THAT IS.
Question? WHAT IS MARRIAGE? WHO IS THE JUDGE?
WE ONLY UNDERSTAND THE EXAMPLES WE ARE GIVEN (well sort of) WOULD IT “LOOK BETTER” TO MARRY AND DIVORCE AND MARRY AGAIN? WOULD THAT BE MORALLY CORRECT? WHATS THE DIFFERENCE? The government’s involvement I guess. IDEALLY , IT WOULD BE EXCELLENT TO FIND THE MAN OR WOMAN WHO FULFILLS YOUR SPIRIT AND STAY FOR EVER AND EVER (thru sickness and health till death do us part) AND HAVE HEALTHY STRONG CHILDREN AS A RESULT OF A HEALTHY AND STRONG UNION. (this CAN happen … we need much training , however.) OR IS IT REALLY “GOOD” TO STAY IN A RELATIONSHIP WHERE BOTH PARTIES ARE UNFULFILLED, LONGING FOR RELIEF, BRINGING one another down as a result of improper training, creating BAD ENERGY AND EXPERIENCES FOR THE CHILD TO REPEAT? (not to mention breeding deceit and anger and resentment ) SEEMS TO CREATE FEARFUL CHILDREN WHO TURN INTO FEARFUL ADULTS.
HOW MANY OF YOU GREW UP IN 2 PARENT HOMES THAT WERE MISERABLE AS *&%^$#@E ? OR 2 PARENT HOMES THAT WERE NOT PERFECT BUT WORKED? HOW MANY GREW UP IN ONE PARENT HOMES WHERE THE MOTHER WORKED HARD TO MAKE SURE YOU WERE CARED FOR BUT SHE WASNT QUITE HAPPY? HOW ABOUT A HOME WHERE THE FATHER WAS THE MAIN CARE GIVER AND DID THE BEST HE COULD-LACKING NURTURE? HOW MANY OF YOU HAVE A SIBLING THAT HAS A DIFFERENT FATHER OR MOTHER? DOES HE OR SHE MEAN LESS TO YOU?
HOW MANY OF YOU HAVE MORE THAN 1 MOTHER OR FATHER OF YOUR OWN CHILDREN? HOW MANY OF YOU HAD /OR / ARE PARENTS RESPONSIBLE ENOUGH TO MAKE GOOD DECISIONS FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR CHILDREN, THAT DONT QUITE FIT ANY OF THESE DESCRIPTIONS?
HOW MANY OF YOU STAY IN UNHEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS FOR FEAR OF GOING TO HELL? HOW MANY HOS OUT THERE … THAT HAVE KIDS TO GET A PAYDAY? HOW MANY PEOPLE GETTING THEY ASS KICKED AND ARE FORCED TO SUBMIT CAUSE YO MAMA GOT HER ASS KICKED? THEN WHAT is CORRECT?
How about this: I PRAY WITH MY CHILDREN I FEED THEM GOOD FOOD THEY RESPECT PEOPLES DIFFERENCES THEY TRAVEL THE WORLD WITH ME THEY KNOW WHO THEY ARE THEY ADORE THEIR FATHERS AND ARE LOVED BY 2 PARENTS OR MORE - OR TWO OR MORE SETS OF LOVING GRANDPARENTS THEY CRY THEY GET HURT THEY GET SICK THEY HEALTHY ARE real THEY ARE NOT AN IDEA or a TOPIC AND NEITHER AM I. I AM ALIVE. I AM A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN. I AM A GOOD WOMAN. I AM GROWING. I AM COMPLETE WITH OR WITHOUT A PARTNER AND WILL ALWAYS BE AND I HAVE DREAMS OF A FAMILY STRUCTURE.
ALL OF MY DREAMS DO NOT COME TRUE AND DESPITE ALL OF THE PAIN IN MY LIFE …IN MY MOTHERS LIFE …IN MY GRANDMOTHERS LIFE WE HAVE ALWAYS ENDURED AND THERE IS SO MUCH JOY TO BE EXPERIENCED. I NEVER HAD A FATHER AND I DONT KNOW WHAT THAT FEELS LIKE - BUT MY CHILDREN DO, AND THEY LOVE THEIR ‘PARENTS’. WE ARE THEIR CHAMPIONS.
Live how you want. Follow which ever pattern YOU like. MY CHILDREN WILL BE LEADERS and they will not ever be slaves to this society’s failing idea of morality. THEY OWN THEIR MINDS AND THEIR DREAMS. BIRTH CONTROL lol … could have 10 babies instead of 2.
I LOVE CHILDREN AND I WILL HAVE AS MANY AS GOD WILL GIVE ME. I AM VERY HEALTHY AND RESPONSIBLE AND SO ARE ALL OF MY PARTNERS I CHOSE THEM WISELY AND SOBERLY. ALL GOOD BROTHERS. Your opinions lack experience and are not only careless but also very uninformed and immature. Nothing is sacred here. And i see why. If I lose you as a fan because I want to continue to have children then *&%^$#@E OFF… WHO NEEDS YOU? ….CERTAINLY NOT ME … KICK ROCKS … CALL TYRONE … PACK LIGHT …. BITE ME.
I have defended myself here ON THIS SITE and hurled a few insults .. but only in response to your insults of my music, my clothes, my lyrics, my hair, my being a woman, my spirit, my choices of partners….these have all been on trial here. And I continued to support the energy of this place.
This is to all the okay players / REAL HUMAN BEINGS hiding behind screen names in order to insult one another and who ever else you will. Geeeez…i had to say something. I am so sad for parents who try today.
Guys, enough is enuf. Dont judge to quickly, OKAY PLAYER? I know you are having fun, but what if it were you and your children? My son is 10. My daughter, 4.
Peace ANALOGUE GIRL and if this post is not clear.. kiss my placenta.
(via bunandcheese)
1 day ago on June 01, 2012 at 12:03am
The Black Woman is another badass anthology (written similarly as This Bridge Called My Back) that explores what it means to be a black woman in Amerika by analyzing sexism and racism outside and within our radical communities of color.This anthology features contributions from Alice Walker,Nikki Giovanni,Audre Lorde,Abbey Lincoln,Paule Marshall and others who, through poems and stories, offer a remedy towards healing and self preservation for black women who have had enuf of the rainbow.
“When a white man “likes colored girls,” his woman (the white woman) is the last one he wants to know about it. Yet,seemingly,when a Negro “likes white girls,” his woman (the Black woman) is the first he wants to know about it. White female rejects and social misfits are fragrantly flaunted in our faces as the ultimate in feminine pulchritude. Our women are encouraged by our own men to strive to look and act as much like the white female image of beauty as possible, and only those who approach that “goal” in physical appearance and social behavior are acceptable. At best,we are made to feel we are poor imitations and excuses for white women.
Evil? Evil,you say? The Black woman is hurt,confused,frustrated,angry,resentful,frightened and evil! Who in this hell dares suggest that she should be otherwise? These attitudes only point up her perception of the situation and her health rejection of shame.
Maybe if our women get evil enough and angry enough, they’ll be moved to some action that will bring our men to their senses. There is one unalterable fact that too many of our men cannot seem to face.And that is, we “black,evil,ugly” women are perfect and accurate reflection of you “black,evil,ugly” men. Play hide and seek as long as you can and will,but your every rejection and abandonment of us is only a sorry testament of how thoroughly and carefully you have been blinded and brainwashed. And let it further be understood that when we refer to you we mean,ultimately,us. For you are us,and vice versa.
We are the women who were kidnapped and brought to this continent as slaves. We are the women who were raped,are still being raped, and our bastard children snatched from our breasts to be scattered to the winds to be lynched,castrated,de-egoed,robber,burned,and deceived.
We are the women whose strong and beautiful Black bodies were-and still are- being used as cheap labor force for Miss Anne’s kitchen and Mr.Charlie’s bed, whose rich,black,and warm milk nurtured-and still nurtures-the heir to the racist and evil slavemaster.
We are the women who dwell in the hell-hole ghettos are over the land.We are the women whose bodies are scarified,as living cadavers,to experimental surgery in the white man’s hospitals for the sake of white medicine.
We are the women who are invisible on the television and movies screens, on the Broadway stage. We are the women who are lusted after,sneered at,leered at,hissed at,yelled at,grabbed at,tracked down by white degenerates in our own pitiable,poverty-stricken,and pride-less neighborhoods.
We are the women whose hair is compulsively fried,whose skin is bleached,whose nose is “too big”,whose mouth is “too big and loud,” whose face is “too black and shiny,” and whose suffering and patience is too long and enduring to be believed.
Who’re just too damned much for everybody.
We are the women whose bars and recreation halls are invaded and flagrantly disrespectful,bigoted,simpering,amoral,emotionally unstable,outcast,maladjusted,nymphomaniacal,condescending white women…in desperate and untiring search of the “frothing-at-the-mouth-for-a-white-woman,strong-backed,sixty minute hot black.” Our men.
We are the women who,upon protesting this invasion of our privacy and sanctity and sanity, are called “jealous,” and “evil,” and “small-minded,” and “prejudiced.”
We are the women whose husbands and fathers and brothers and sons have been plagiarized,imitated,denied,and robbed of the fruits of their genius,and who consequently we see emasculated,jailed,lynched,driven mad, deprived,enraged,and made suicidal.
We are the women whom nobody,seemingly,cares about,who are made to feel inadequate,stupid and backward, and who inevitably have the most colossal inferiority complexes to be found.
And who is spreading this propaganda that “The only free people in this country are the white man and the Black woman?” If this be freedom,then Heaven is Hell.
Who will revere the Black Woman? Who will keep our neighborhoods safe for black innocent womanhood? Black womanhood is outraged and humiliated. Black womanhood cries for dignity ans restitution and salvation. Black womanhood wants and needs protection,and keeping,and holding.
Who will assuage her indignation? Who will keep her precious and pure? Who will glorify and proclaim her beautiful image?
To whom will she cry rape.
(via so-treu)
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blck-grrl
2 days ago on May 31, 2012 at 06:42pm
