Texture & Temperment

I haven't posted in a while. Thanks so much for the "where are you Blaq" emails and posts. My writing style reflects my spirit...I have to be in the mood and I like to have something to say. When I'm in the mood to write, the words just flow effortlessly....So here's three posts for you, be sure to scroll down.

Ironically, I was checking out Jen's blog and she posted something on temperments that pegged me to a T. So if you're wondering why my post are sporadic, check out Jen's page for a fairly accurate description of my personality.

Meanwhile back in Sisterlocville...check out the texture of my hair in this pic. I was just messing around to see how close I am to being able to put my hair up. Getting there.... Don't worry, when I get there, I'll pin it up nicely... :-)

Hair Therapy

I am having a full fledge love affair with my Sisterlocks! My locks and I have taken to each other like two lovers meant to spend their lives together. In turn my lock journey has caused me to examine myself anew. It is a liberating and awesome experience; I call it - "hair therapy."

Hair texture and skin hue, two basic human elements, historically used to separate and divide us. In some cases, producing many-a-confused-low-self-esteemed African American. How riduculous to be negatively singled out because of a PERMANENT physical characteristic that God specifically blessed you with! But when the world, the media and even family is constantly sharing their images of beauty, which looks nothing like you, it eventually has a negative affect, whether conscious or subconscious.

Now when I look in the mirror I see a woman in all her natural glory with lovely dark skin, that same big ole smile, and some slammin' Sisterlocks - thanks in part to hair therapy! Please don't take this post as simply a superficial look at physical characteristics. It takes a certain level of maturity and self evaluation to read, study and learn about our natural hair and culture and even more maturity and strength to act upon it. "Hair therapy" isn't solely about the hair. As I've often said, Sisterlocks is much more than a hairstyle, it's a lifestyle. It is freedom from chains unseen, but which remain strongly entrenched in our society.

My "creamy crack" (permed) friends refer to me as a "Neo Soul Sister." My nephew says I have "that Erika Badhu thang going on"...they don't really know what to call it, but they are all witnessing my evolution. Check out these two beautiful Queens my coworker and good friend, Alicia gave me as a Christmas gift. She said she was shopping, saw them and just had to buy them because they reminded her so much of me!

You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I'll rise.

Out of the huts of history's shame
I rise
Up from a past that's rooted in pain
I rise
I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.
I rise
I rise
I rise

from "Still I Rise"
Maya Angelou

A Good Place To Be

I receive such wonderful support from my fellow Sisterlockers and Bloggers. After my last post Maryee wrote that "the six month mark was a turning point in [her] journey, and that's a good place to be." I always feel so encouraged after I post and read such supportive comments from others. Blogging may seem self-serving but the wonderful thing is that our experiences are unselfishly shared and that's such a beautiful thing, only understood by those who travel this Sisterlocks journey. LaChanda said it best on her blog, "being with other Sisterlockers is like an extension of blood sisters." So thank you to all of my sisters for your support especially Maryee, Jen, LeighAnn, LaChanda and Brunsli. May 2006 be full of abundant blessings to each of you!

This six month juncture is proving to be "a good place" for me too. I'm referring to my hair as "sassy" these days or perhaps it's how my hair makes me feel. I'm getting more comments than ever about it.

My locks might be entering what's called the "teenage stage." They seem to be more independent, require less manipulation, and looks better and fuller with less frequent grooming (curling, etc.) More and more, I'm simply getting out of bed and allowing the shower steam to do the grooming. Best of all, it's still soft which is always a surprise to anyone who touches my locks.