Listen to this playlist: chopin12's Playlist

going natural the new trend

It seems to me that a new trend in the black women community is "going natural". Everyone is going natural, old and young women. I feel like its a revive of Foxy Cleopatra! But I am not against this movement, I am actually excited and participating. I have gotten perms for a good strong 4 years, and I am tired of the hair thinning and breakage. I am working my way backwards to going natural, I am not bold enough to cut off, so my plan for now is to let it grow out. I want to feel comfortable in my own hair and not let my image of beauty be construed by the constant social pull that tries to make black women look like white women.

My advice to women with thick hair that tangles quick is to use a straightening comb rather than a flat iron. I works faster to manage the hair, and keep it from breaking. I am currently using an electric comb , which is helpful for traveling purposes. Also I have notice that my hair responds better to oil rather than grease. I plan on keeping a log, with pictures to help me observe the changes of my hair and to measure the natural hair.

I believe going natural is a good move, and is also a symbol of the black women saying "no" to society always choosing for her in terms of her beauty and status. I encourage other black women to join us and support those that are already going natural to continue.

Underestimated by size

As a skinny girl I have had to deal with big girls trying to intimidate and walk all over me. I am not frightened by size or weight, and I have no problem confronting individuals who disrespect or offend me. I always have to defend or prove my emotional and physical strength so these big girls can cool it. I wondered why do people try to use the size to control others. These are several obvious reasons for this, but the one that is most often overlooked is hidden insecurities these individuals suffer. I have notice patterns in this type of behavior of big vs. little, big people during confrontation use all these extra communication "accessories" like they have to jump in your face, use the screaming voice level, overall high volume and try to be condescending. Why is all this necessary? There is no need for people to be acting crazy like this, yelling and screaming recklessly in your face, unless their dealing with some emotional problems. I feel these people get energy and confidence off of making others feel scared and insufficient.But what type of stable confidence can derive from an insecurity. None. Moreover when they meet an individual like me who refuses to let them use their weight to shut me down and control my actions, they squander like rodents. They feel defeated, powerless and uncomfortable by those who are not scared. I am just sick and tired of this nonsense that because your big you can beat up someone, it has clearly been proven that weight is not a determining factor in who will win a fight. I urge skinny and any other oppressed groups to continue to stand up for themselves because if you don't, you will be definitely taken advantage of.