Generational Thinking Ft Cee's Family

I used this quote in a 2005 post. I share it again for my newer readers and in light of generational thinking.

So many black women have straightened, relaxed and permed their hair for years, they have never had the opportunity to experience its true natural beauty. The average 30-year-old woman has been straightening her hair since childhood to adolescence; perhaps at least 20 years. And even though she may comb and groom her straight hair daily, she is not likely to experiment and explore what her natural hair texture can or cannot do.

"Let's Talk Hair - Every Black Woman's Personal Consultation for Healthy Growing Hair" - Pamela Ferrell

Don't you wish you had someone to teach you about the beauty of, wear and care of our natural hair when you were younger? I know I do.

That's why these photos of Cee's family blew me away. How beautiful to have an entire family of all natural women! I had never even imagined such a thing....and seeing it with my own eyes gave me such a sense of pride. How proud would I be, if all of the women in my family were natural. We are making progress, however. My mom and sister are now both natural. (Thanks, Cee for permission to share your photos.)


Generational thinking - that's what we must do. Teach our daughters, nieces and sisters, aunts, mothers, friends and granddaughters about the beauty and versatility of our hair in it's natural state no matter the style. Our task is made easier by the fact that they have actual role models in every sister that's sports her Sisterlocks or is loc'd down and twisted, or faded, or cornrowed or fro'd out. We never had that.

I've already asked my son and daughter-in-law if I could be responsible for the babies hair (It's a girl!). Then I can begin to put to work my own generational thinking and perhaps one day, take a photo with my granddaughters and great granddaughters - all natural, of course. Now wouldn't that be special...

20 Month Looks

All of the styled looks were accomplished with the Caruso Steam Curlers. The set only last for a couple of days, but it's my favorite look. Someone wrote and asked how I accomplished my "styled look." Here's a pic of how I roll my locks with the Caruso's. The fewer locks per roller the nicer the curl.

Tagged at 20M!

Katika and Sister-in-Locks tagged me! I'm to share five things my readers don't know about me. It has taken me a while to come up with things I felt comfortable sharing, but after reading some of my other SL friends' tags, I've been inspired tonight, so here goes....


1. Music and movies are my passion. If I could choose any career it would be singer or musician. When I was younger I wanted to be a dj and would call the radio station and quiz the jocs on how to become one of them. I have a vast music collection now turning into a vast digital music collection. It is my pride and joy. Oh, I neglected to mention - I have no musical talent...LoL...My consulation is my son graduating from college with a Radio,Television, Film (RTF) degree. He is a dj, sound engineer, pianist and composer by night until he gets his big break. Y'all gone see me at the Grammy's with my son one day. I'mo give a shout out to all da SL ladies! hehehe....

2. I am a shy person and pretty much a loner. People find that hard to believe, but I am. I would rather speak to a group of 1,000 than walk into a small, intimate setting where small talk is required. I've learned to master it over the years, but I always get very anxious. Yet, I love public speaking and will jump at any opportunity to speak or present to a group, no matter the size - the larger the better. Perhaps that's the "performer" in me.

3. I was a tomboy growing up and much preferred being outside playing tag football or basketball with my brothers and the neighborhood boys rather than playing with dolls. I was awarded Most Outstanding Female Athlete my senior year in high school lettering in varsity Basketball, Volleyball, Track, and Tennis. I was a sprinter and held several high school records. I was also the only African American in my graduating class as a member of the National Honor Society, graduating with honors.

4. I'm a techy geek...LOL. I love technology, computers and gadgets. My family and friends tease me saying I'm the only person they know who actually reads product manuals. I love finding out everything a gadget will do.

5. I have to credit Sister-in-Locks for the strength to be able to share this last "unknown fact" with you. I'm sure I wouldn't have been able to before reading her experience, so thanks SIL - we share a previously unknown common bond.

I was bullied in elementary and middle school by the "popular girls" - not because I was rich or pretty - but because I was smart, made good grades, was quiet and my mom always dressed us nicely (although we were extremely poor). I loved school and learning, yet dreaded school because of the mean girls. I remember one summer praying, "God, please don't let me make all A's this year." I was afraid to go to recess and hated the lunch hour.

When I was in the 6th or 7th grade a gang of girls caught me in the bathroom and beat me up really bad. It was retaliation - one day on the way home the leader was alone - without her gang and two sisters. She was talking that yang, yang and I stood up to her. She shooved me. She was twice a big as me, so I picked up a stick and hit her in the head - then took off running...LOL. She had to get about 3-5 stitches. Her and her girls beat me up the whole next week until we all got suspended for a week for fighting. It was a horrible

How did this affect me - I like the way SIL put it ... it made me stronger and gave me a quiet self-confidence. I believe it's why I am more of a loner today with a few select friends. But I like it like that. Some people take my confidence as being "stuck up," but it is my protection. I respond, however, to those who take the time to get to know me. That's why I love the DFW Sisterlocks ladies so much - they welcomed me with open arms.

I will admit, when I have my locks styled and slammin' and I'm all dressed up, I do feel like da sugar-honey-iced tea...LOL!!!

(Oh by the way, those "popular mean girls" now approach me saying..."I remember you from school. Gosh you look great! You look the same as you did in school." Unfortunately, I can't say the same for them...tehehe!)

6. I'll cheat and add one more - which probably isn't a secret to anyone who reads my blog - I love to write. My son encourages me to publish something one day....for now, I'll start with this blog.

Thanks for the tag Katika and SIL!