Comments on: A break in regular programming to ask, ‘What are you about?’ Update

By: laela

laela — Sat, 22 May 2010 14:44:16 +0000

AmeriCorps.gov…it’s like the PeaceCorps, but you do service right in your own backyard, or anywhere in the U.S. They have a lot of activities that benefit the black community (at least if you live somewhere with a thriving community). It’s only a one year commitment and you can do part-time or full-time. You get a either a stipend or a scholarship when you finish. I can say it was worth it and I gained a lot from it. Please check it out; you volunteer and you get certain benefits (e.g. housing, health insurance) and you will have great memories. I did the VISTA program and I came across people of all ages and races; I’m a community-service advocate and that’s what makes progress, no one else is going to change or help with anything unless we do it ourselves.

Does anyone know of any short-term (3 months or less) international volunteer programs?

By: Caramelnaps

Caramelnaps — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 04:25:02 +0000

I understand exactly what you mean and the point you were trying to make. Hair is an interesting topic to discuss, to blog about and to even style, but there are so many things going on in the world today that require the same level of concern that our hair does. I work in a public school so I would consider myself working in a service profession. My job entails working with students that are unable to pass their classes for one or more reasons. I serve as a mentor, motivator and additional support for the students. While I enjoy my job and working with these students, I am looking to volunteer at an all girls public school that is close to my house. I work quite a distance from my home and the students that I work with are very different from me! I am also interested in taking some missionary trips to countries that are in need of financial and educational support and more importantly mentoring.

By: Olivia

Olivia — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 02:25:57 +0000

God Bless Haiti. It makes me sad everyday. I watch my daily activities and how everyone is going on with their lives and I stop and think do these people living in America, Canada and Europe understand that they got it so good?

Even though I am proud the world is helping after the earthquake… these people in Haiti should have been helped in many other ways before this disaster.

___
I always felt the same way you did with the natural community it’s a love/hate relationship.

By: Cassie

Cassie — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 01:32:51 +0000

This is such a positive post! God bless the Haitian people – what a sad situation.

For Black women, I want the very best – love, health, financial security, happiness, education, spirituality – every good thing.

We deserve it.

By: Christina

Christina — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 20:27:59 +0000

You know what, leila? I didn’t feel up to blogging this past week, either. I just felt so wrong in light of Haiti tragedies. I felt guilty. I felt guilty to be a Black American. But like you, I am glad that haiti is back in the media light. They ALWAYS deserved more, and we need to focus on rebuilding them to the proud and beautiful country there were BEFORE the French ruined it all. God bless Haiti.

And about hair. Girl, to me, it has always gone past hair with me. Class, education, expectation, judgment. I never bring it up in my blog very much, but I think I will start to now. Thanks for your words, Leila. People can misinterpret what you say no matter waht, but I agree with EVERYTHING you said

By: The Notorious Z.A.G.

The Notorious Z.A.G. — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 03:38:40 +0000

I’ll keep this simple:

First I would like to send my condolences out to all the families who have lost friends and family in the tragic aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti. May God bestow blessings on all people struggling and in need not just in Haiti, but everywhere.

Secondly, you should never think that hair, clothes, religion, job, status or anything other external factors have anything to do with one’s heart or common sense. What is hair? Yes, it was used as “proof” that Africans were inferior to people with straight hair, which is the root of the problems we have with our hair today. But hair…really doesn’t mean a thing.
I stand for freedom. I stand for revolution. I stand for love, kindness and honesty.
I help old ladies board busses.
I give people in need my very last penny.
I speak out for what I believe is right.
I spread knowledge and information at any given opportunity.
I do these things. I loved hard with a perm, and I can’t say I’ve changed as a chemically unaltered head. I love just as hard.
We need to stop associating hair with heart. If a pastor or preacher can be vile and disgusting… Why would hair stop a person from being that way?
Free your mind, and actually SEE inside a person beyond her hair or “ugly fake contacts.”

By: DaliSalvadorAde

DaliSalvadorAde — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 17:18:15 +0000

First I want to send my love to all those suffering in Haiti. I have contributed to some organization on my campus for relief work in Haiti, but my heart is still unsettled. To see my Haitian brothers and sisters suffer in that way is heart-breaking, and to see their country in disarray reminds me that everyday I need to be more than grateful for what I have. However, I sincerely believe that out of this, Haiti will become a stronger country with a stronger people. Because if anything, Haitians are known for their resiliency, strong will, and love of life. And may the world continue to show their support.

Additionally, I really like the question of: What are you about? I think I’m about a lot of things, maybe too many things because I sometimes find myself lost in so many endeavours. Languages, traveling, music, acting, painting, dancing, are some of the things that I’m about. But most importantly, I’m about the uplifting of people all over the world, and their pursuit of a better life. And that is what I wish upon black communities everywhere. As some commentators mentioned earlier, people of color in general have let Western influences inhibit them from achieving their best. And I strongly believe that accepting one’s natural hair is a step toward this freedom, and towards the confirmation of our importance in the global community.

But we cannot let the topic of hair stop us. The black community needs to keep pressing on. We must find things that unify us.

By: Jaeanjel

Jaeanjel — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 03:58:23 +0000

The one thing I want most for us black women is self-love, in whatever form that translates – be it by going natural, seeking higher education and other opportunities to better ourselves. Hair is not the be all and end all. We should never get so caught up in our physical appearance that we lose sight of what’s inside. So whether you’re natural or relaxed, all I wish for you is to love yourself even more. Because when you TRULY love yourself (not talking ’bout vanity here), it’s easier to love others, want better for yourself AND be be better for others.
Haiti and the downtrodden of this world are forever in my prayers.

By: HaitianRoots

HaitianRoots — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 01:28:54 +0000

For my Chicagoland friends – want to do something to help the people of Haiti TODAY?

1. Grab a couple of gallon size Ziploc bags and fill them with any combination of toiletries (i.e.: toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, body wash, women’s sanitary products, wash cloths, razors, shaving cream, shampoo, deodorant, band aides, anti-bacterial cream etc.),
2. Drop them off at my church (First Evangelical Haitian Baptist Church @ 1309 Elmwood Ave, in Evanston)on Sunday 9-11am and 1-3pm and
4. Someone (Sister Paul) will fly them down to Haiti on Tuesday!

You can’t get much more personal and immediate than that.

If you want more information you can email me at farahclaude@yahoo.com

I will also have alternate drop off locations on the south side in the coming days.

Contact me if you have questions.

By: Nikki

Nikki — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 00:09:03 +0000

I agree with Leila even though people with natural hair usually conjures up images of enlightened free spirited people, that’s not always the case and it doesn’t always mean that someone is open-minded. People with big egos can use anything as a tool to feel better than someone else, even a hairstyle. They might feel that they are more real because they rock a fro, but if you’re only wearing it to feel superior that’s not keeping it real.

I so try not to be that way and have a “to each it’s own” attitude when it comes to hair, though I do wish more women would accept themselves. But who am I to really judge, when I haven’t accepted other things about myself?

What do I wish for black women including myself? More love and self-acceptance for ourselves. For the black community I wish healing, happiness, peace, and self-acceptance. And for the world I wish for enlightenment, peace, love, and hope to prevail.

I really wish Haiti a million and one blessings, and I really hope that people don’t turn a blind eye to the country once the news footage stops.

Comments on: A break in regular programming to ask, ‘What are you about?’ **Update**