The Importance of Hair Love 💜

Feb 12, 2020

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#WednesdayWisdom

"your mental health is a priority. your happiness is a priority. your self-care is a priority. your existence is a priority." — olivia jade

Morning Musings

On Feb. 15, 2019, I did a thing. I cut off my relaxed ends, otherwise known as the Big Chop. Well, I didn't cut it, but you catch my drift. After a year of wearing protective styles and growing out an accidental pixie cut (it's a long story, you can read it here), I took the plunge and embraced my natural 4c curls.

I haven't worn my natural hair since I was a kid, but even then it was always tamed -- whether it be in cornrows, box braids, or straightened with a hot comb or relaxer once I was old enough for Just for Me.

Coincidentally, I envied my college roommate's red curly hair not realizing my own hair was naturally curly -- the curliest of the curls, if you will. In a world that glorifies Eurocentric beauty norms, my 4c texture has never been deemed desirable. It's the tightest of the curls, kinkiest of them all -- not the "good hair" I was conditioned to envy growing up.

This is why books and movies like Matthew A. Cherry's Oscar-winning Hair Love are so vital. #RepresentationMatters, especially when it comes to children's books and films, which are often where young people see themselves (or don't) for the first time.

I wonder how my adolescence and subsequent years would have been different had I seen myself reflected in the media I so adored at an early age. But #HairLove later in life is better than no hair love at all.

Love,
L'Oreal

Happenings

March 6: March Meditation & Lettering Workshop. My girl Vanessa Flowers is hosting the next event in her Flower Girls Meet series. Learn about different forms of meditation and more.

March 20: Girl Behind the Hustle Book Club. Join me and Girl Behind the Hustle founder Lu'Cretia Thomas for an evening of mingling and meditation as we discuss Shonda Rhimes' bestseller, Year of Yes.

Links I Love

1. Presenting Our Alternative Oscars List Because the Academy is Still White as Fuck. I'm not a big movie buff, I'm more early-200s MTV VMAs than the Oscars any day. And five years after April Reign created the viral hashtag #OscarsSoWhite (#CiteBlackWomen), it appears as though the Academy has learned nothing, which is why, in the words of Issa Rae, I'm rooting for everybody Black. 24/7. 365. (Bitch Media)

2. Voices of Change. I've loved reading ever since I was little girl -- always have, always will. But I didn't always see myself represented in children's books or YA novels, which is why I'm so excited authors Tomi Adeyemi, Akwaeke Emezi, Elizabeth Acevedo, Angie Thomas, and Nic Stone are writing the characters I needed to see then now. (ELLE)

3. The Political Resilience of the Black-Owned Bookstore. My journo friend (in my head) Char Adams shares all about the nation's first Black-owned bookstore in this brilliant piece just in time for Black History Month. (Mic)

My Latest Obsession

At this point, I'm convinced Rihanna is coming for my entire paycheck and no one can convince me otherwise. Last month, RiRi announced a new three-piece set of mini lip glosses for her cosmetic line, Fenty Beauty. I wasn't into the Pokemon game, but I had to catch them all.

From left to right, there's Glass Slipper, a traditional clear gloss; Sweet Mouth, a shimmery soft pink; and Hot Chocolit, my favorite, a shimmery brown shade. And in true Fenty form, they're pretty flattering on all shades. Which one will you try first? #BuyBlack, y'all.

Now Hiring

Senior Manager, Social Media Marketing for Fenty Beauty
Maker-In-Residence for the Chicago Public Library
Motion Graphics Artist for Gravity Well Studio
Staff Writer for The Root
Development Assistant for Girls On The Run - Chicago
Digital Media Officer for City Colleges of Chicago
Executive Director for 826CHI
Writing Works Manager for Girls Write Now
Communications Manager for Just Leadership USA
National Field Director for The National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum

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