It’s Black History Month!!!
The theme for 2021 is The Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity.
As the mother of beautiful mocha babies, Black History is celebrated 365 days a year! Over the next couple of episodes, we are going to talk about identity and diversity. Don’t forget to check out our episode on Black Representation in Media. Leah and I have very detailed conversations about image, specifically our hair. Leah shared a poem with me a couple of weeks ago and I want her to share it here.
I hate my hair. I wish I had honey-colored coils that shake and bounce. Instead, I have thick, dark, stand out kinks that can not be contained. I never understood why my hair had to be this way. My hair breaks combs instead of gliding through them. My hair escapes the hair ties and rubber-bands that try to keep it captive. My hair needs multiple expensive gels to slick it down instead of just one. The hair that sits on top of my head is supposed to feel like a gold, jeweled crown but right now, it feels like a crown made of thorns just trying to pinch and pierce my scalp. I hate my THICK, DARK, STAND OUT KINKS that make me different. Will I ever be able to fit in?
I HATE my hair.
After she read this to me I was crushed! Am I a bad example of a black woman? What haven’t I done to encourage my daughter to love the beautiful hair that grows out of her scalp? I totally understood how she was feeling. I understand hair issues. I understand how it feels not looking like others. After I delt with my issues I asked her to flip the narrative and write about the positives of her beautiful thick hair. This is what she wrote
I Love My Hair -Leah Brown
I love my hair. I have thick, dark, stand out kinks that are wild and free. My hair my favorite thing about me. My hair is too powerful to fit the mold. My hair sets trends instead of following them. My hair bounces with me when I jump up and down. My hair is expensive and deserves the best products around. My hair can be braided, twisted, and locked. On top of my head is a golden crown that makes me feel special. I love my thick, dark, standout kinks that make me different. I’m glad I don’t fit in.