Cultural Appropriation: Black Women in America

                      (Picture credit does not belong to me)

Recently there has been a stir with white women and black hairstyles. One of the biggest controversies has been Kylie Jenner and her cornrows. She took to Instagram showing off her hair and a lot of backlash was given due to the fact that when black women wear cornrows it is “ghetto,” “ratchet,” and unprofessional. It is not idea for Kylie to wear cornrows because it is black culture and before you do something that pertains to a culture you are not apart of you need to learn and respect the history from which it came. Trying to make a fashion statement with something you know nothing about is demeaning to those of that culture especially when you are praised for something that you had no hand in creating. Sorry, but you did not "change the game." 

Well, when this ordeal occurred Amandla Stenberg also known as “Rue” in Hunger Games, took to YouTube in "Don't cash crop my cornrows" and laid out education on cultural appropriation pertaining to Kylie and other white women who recreate black culture. In this video she discusses black hair as being apart of hip hop and cultural because black women have always done they hair as a way to maintain growth, expression of identity and the basic need of keeping it looking neat and unknotted. As hip hop became more popular so did black culture because hip hop is an expression of the black community. Stenberg goes on to detail that, in 2013 cornrows (braids) became seen as "new urban hairstyle," yet it has been around for centuries. Although black culture has become accepted the black community has not and thus is where we have cultural appropriation. According to Wikipedia, Cultural appropriation is a sociological concept that views the adoption or use of elements of one culture by members of a different culture as a largely negative phenomenon. 

On another account was during the Grammy’s two white rap artist took awards of best rap artist and best rap album of the year. We cannot forget Allure magazines “You (Yes You) Can Have An Afro, even with straight hair” article. This article is aimed towards a particular audience that does not include black women. They are trying to recreate and define the Afro but are not seeing the root of "AFR" into African American. The article uses terms that are demeaning like "rag curls" as if black hair is raggedy. An Allure spokes person released a statement discussing the rich cultural background the Afro has but yet the article fails to incorporate this history lesson before trying to steal something that does not need to be recreated and made as if it came from another culture. Rather than embrace the culture from which it came from they tried to change it. Just to put this out there, it was not one black woman featured. Instead of using this as a teaching opportunity and having a black model it became the ultimate fail.

I do not only think that it is offensive for white women to be able to recreate black culture but even more so when it is received differently because of their race. As a black woman we receive backlash from wanting to wear our hair natural or wanting to wear weave as if we have not been doing so since before we were in America as slaves. The only difference is now since white women do it, it becomes a new trend and fashionable. Too often it is forgotten that these expressions stem from a culture that is fighting to hold on to what it has while it is slowly being taken away through oppression. Allowing white women to recreate black culture and make it seem okay is telling black girls that it is not okay for you to be your natural self or have a culture that belongs to you but for another race (white women) it is okay because they are better than you are and you do not deserve anything regardless if it is apart of you.

Cultural Appropriation has been stealing traditions, culture and customs since before Christopher Columbus. If you did not know “They Came Before Columbus.”

One after another

(photo credit not mine)

Lately in media there has been a lot of controversy. While being black was being celebrated by one another was spreading hatred through racism. The media continued to look over the obvious facts. The truth was clearly presented but no one cares to listen. When did it become okay to over look the truth especially when it is clear? Society has continued to be in a place where race matters. To say that race does not matter is a lie. The same opportunities are not available, resources are not provided and help has never been on the way. For every one step forward you are already 5 steps behind because of being black. I will not justify malicious behavior but if equal opportunity is given to all then more people will succeed. Because if race did not matter what is occurring in America today would not be tolerated nor would it happen.

I am proud of who I  am as a black woman but I hate to see my community in a state of war, we are at war because of racism and relentless killings with no penalty. In a place where everyone is supposed to be treated equally. Black men in jail, struggling or dead. Black women knocking each other down to get ahead. Competing for attention while losing self worth and conniving behavior that pushes us further towards society perception. I work hard everyday to over come the stereotypes and statistics. Sometimes it was hard to maintain who I was while trying to fit in to a society that was not made for me. Poisoning our bodies with the processed foods and our minds through lack of knowledge because of the expense. Knowledge is power, I may not know it all but I know where and how to acquire the information I am in search of. My ancestors were taken from being Kings and Queens to become slaves. Their thoughts tainted, culture removed and basically stripped bare of everything that made them who they are to transform them into an identity of their captors. I am not sure where I came from but I know where I am going. Away from the corruptness of the world, to spread awareness and to fight what was taken from me, an identity that I did not have the opportunity to know. I will embrace who I am now and grow through it. It is time to take back who you are spiritually and culturally.

A Whole New World

(Photo Credit to Disney)

After the wedding comes real life. Going into any relationship involves some adapting, compromise and learning. On the other hand going into a relationship where children is involved is a different kind of world. See you get a package deal, two for the price of one. Which isn't a bad deal in my case but with every situation there are some trials and tribulations.

So after the wedding things have been great, but this is when real life comes. It's the time when you have to figure out combining everything because you are now one. In our situation we did not live together before and I moved across the country. Now that everything has settled and I'm having to coparent things start to get tricky. I ask myself what boundaries will I have, things I am uncomfortable doing including discipline and where do I fit in with a mother and child whom has only had each other. Its hard to come into a preset family, trying to fit in and change things at the same time. Blending families is not the easiest because there are many personalities that have to adjust to one another. Jealousy arises, tempers collide, emotions mix and we are left to try and build a bond around these things. We grow as a family, learn from one another and start new. It is all apart of life.

The road less traveled is not the easiest but it will be the best! Welcome to my new life!

Is It Really That Serious?

Lately Bruce Jenner, excuse me Caitlyn Jenner has been the trending topic of social media. Now don't get me wrong I am all for making yourself happy but when did this become news? Let's remember that men and women have been transitioning to the gender they feel they are inside but do not appear as on the outside throughout history. It bothers me that Jenner is being commended publicly and called a hero or brave when others have been condemned. The only difference is Jenner is famous (sort of). This can be considered a big step for the transgender community but I do not think it is news worthy. I know two transmen who went from female to male but no one knows who they are, they are not receiving awards over war hero's or being called brave. Many of them do not even receive support from the community.

Society has blown this out of proportion. How do you compare Caitlyn Jenner to a war hero who lost limbs? The bravery of this veteran cannot be compared. He went and fought for his country, lost limbs and could have died. Many have given the ultimate sacrifice but you don't see their names trending or them being constantly talked about. They get one day out of the year for remembrance and Jenner gets a Television show. The irony of it all never cease to amaze me over the topic and comparisons. This is what life is now. Real hero's are not being recognized. Transgender individuals who are helping the community are not receiving the credit they deserve. Society needs to take a step back and think, is this what the world is coming to, is this really news? I feel ashamed at times when I go on my timeline, if people knew better they would do better...Hopefully.

POWER....

(photo credit not mine)

Seeing is believing or at least this is what I believe. Lately I have been coming into contact with people on a power trip. I could be that I have just began to grow tired of situations. For once instance, I am in a natural hair group on social media. Someone asked a question so I gave them a response with the accurate knowledge that I have because of close personal experience. Now I may have misspoken but I feel that there is a way to educate without in better term being rude or taking things too far. As adults I feel as if there is a respect level that should be held at all times. You have to give respect to receive it and trying to belittle someone to make yourself fell better or powerful than being a respectable individual says a lot about your character.

I feel that there is a way to go about any situation when it comes to dealing with others. With that being said I was put in the same situation just on the opposite side. Instead of attacking the individual as I was done I just kept polite and asked the nature of what they wanted to know or why they asked these questions in this particular group if they weren't looking into this lifestyle. There are many different types of people in the world and I can see that throughout life you will have to roll with the punches. I have learned to pick battles worth fighting and let go of those that cause more harm than good. There is no need for me to step out of character to stoop down to a level that is beneath me. Somethings are better left alone and unsaid.

Life as I know it....

Recently life has taken me on an interesting venture. The time has come for a new journey in my life. This past week was stressful, trying to juggle school, work and moving. Let's just say it was exhausting and the fun has just begun. While life still goes own my inner activist is still roaring.

Soon I will become a stepmom to my soon to be wife daughter. As happy as this makes me I am scared not to be a mom but because of the responsibility it will bring. I have my own firm beliefs in life and I want to make sure she is properly informed, from health to embracing your individuality. Because health and nutrition are such huge problems in America it is one of my main concerns along with education and animal rights. The childhood obesity rate in America has more than tripled since the 80's and continues to worsen. Companies target our children and though many try the corporations succeed through governmental policies. What are we to do with a government and society who lets things of this magnitude continue to be a problem?

I am tired of sitting by watching not only America but the world suffer from processed food, large amounts of sugar and not so fat free options. As a parent I want to know what my child is eating and also I do not feel that the big corporations have the right to gear commercials and foods toward children. Also schools need to take responsibility and do their part in the fight against childhood obesity. It takes a village to raise a child, and everyone who influences that child is apart of the village. The school lunch budget was only raised 6 cent since 1995. $2.36 is what our children's health is worth per meal. I will not sit back and let my children future be deem and short lived because of disease and famine. I will fight for a future for all kids to look forward to while I save the animals, fight for gay rights, african american rights, work on becoming a Vegan and educate my community on health while being a wife and mother.

Deep within my soul

(photo credit not mine)

Growing up I loved meat, steak, pork chops, chicken and fish. If I knew 10 years ago that today I would be a vegetarian on the verge of veganism I wouldn't have believed you. Of coarse I did not know what a Vegan was at 15. It is funny how life changes when you expose yourself to new things. I opened my mind up to gain more knowledge and in return I gained something greater.

Today I watched two documentaries that were recommend to me by some of my Facebook friends. They are hard core vegans and I am just a cheese lover who is not a fan of eggs. However I do not eat meat at all, that includes fish for people who try to categorize it in a different category than the correct one or honey. The documentaries I watched were Vegucated and Blackfish. Neither of these are for the light hearted. I am emotional when it comes to the subject of animals and health but they tie together in so many ways in my life. The graphic videos, the stories and the power the documentaries brought were astounding.

Vegucated showed why you should become a Vegan because of animal cruelty in farms, labs and slaughter houses. The way these places are set up are disgusting and should make anyone second guess what they think they know.

Blackfish is about Sea World and the Orca Killer Whales. It shows how it began, to their life in captivity to the many deaths associated including their cover-up stories. It was like one big eye open in a matter of minutes.

Being the person I am I went into all out I am never taking my future children to Sea World or the Zoo. No animal should have to live in captivity nor should they be treated inhumane. The way animals are kept in horrible living conditions, selected based on gender, and slaughtered is horrific. Tonight was a night that made me rethink my whole way of life. Is it really necessary for things to be the way they are. Do you know what you are really eating? Do you know how those Whales really feel? Rethink life. It's time!