October 21, 2009
So, I found these videos today, and I thought you would find them interesting.
A similar test to the original one conducted in the 40s, was coordinated by Modesto Junior College students. There were no black students used in this study. You definitely want to see this. They are so adorable.
Here’s another video of a test that was conducted with only African-American children. It’s heartwrenching to see these beautiful children exhibit such self-hatred.
What do you think about all this?
October 19, 2009
In 1947, Psychologists Kenneth B. Clark and Mamie Phipps Clark conducted a test, in which they studied how young, black children perceived themselves.
The children identified the white baby doll with attributes such as “pretty,” and “nice,” but they attributed “ugly,” and “bad” with the black doll.
This reflected feelings of inferiority and being “less than” in society.
But those of you, who lie to yourself that racism and the perpetuation of self-hatred amongst those of African descent is a thing of the past and should be forgotten, might say:
This happened in the 40s. There was so much racism back then. It’s not hard to believe why black kids would hate themselves.
Consider this disturbing fact:
In 2006, a similar test was reconducted and the results were almost the exact same.
Society in itself teaches self-hatred. Just take some minutes and observe the television commercials and shows you watch everyday.
What roles are the blacks playing? Are they typically portrayed as respectable, beautiful people?
What about commercials? “No more frizz in your hair.”
Then we see a disappointed white woman, with afro-like hair, which is similar to the natural quality of black women’s hair, shake the “frizz” off.
That hair is “ugly.” It isn’t desirable. But, then we see the same woman apply some shampoo and poof! The frizz is gone!
She then appears with “beautiful,” long straight hair.
It’s no wonder some black women feel they must relax their hair or wear hair extensions to be beautiful.
Now, I’ve worn my hair straight before, and I also wear it curly. I have no issue with straight hair. Black women can wear their hair straight or curly if they like. I don’t care about the mere act or styling the hair.
I am concerned with the conviction and motives behind it. Are black women doing this, because they view their natural hair as ugly, or are they doing it because they simply desire to?
Just a thought.
What do you see everyday in the news? “The suspect is mostly a black, tall male.” As if white people never commit crimes. But, news media covers more black criminal stories than white stories. In fact, we are inundated with them.
Now let’s examine society at it’s very core: the dictionary.
Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary defines black as:
It defines white as:
With all these societal tools working to diminish black beauty, it’s no surprise young black girls are harboring self-hatred.
Here’s the way I see it:
If you are going to take the time out to have babies, you have the sole right and responsibility to morally and racially educate them, especially as a black parent.
Teach them that they are beautiful, that their color is bright and that it distinguishes them.
Teach them that they are outstanding and intelligent human beings and that they are more than capable of accomplishing anything they put their minds to.
Start from the time they are babies to instill self-confidence in your children, because as we have learned, children start at a young age to absorb subliminal messages about who they are.
As a responsible parent, you must and should counteract those messages.
Picture from Collect Dolls
October 16, 2009
Ebony Oakcrum with Ilyasah Shabazz after the event
Two daughters of promise, who live after the legacy their fathers left behind, dedicated time yesterday to inspire promise and hope in the hearts and minds of those who gathered.
Large crowds came out for the fantastic event, “Daughters of Promise: In Our Own Voice,” sponsored by Towson University’s Women’s Center.
In front of a diverse crowd on Thursday Oct. 15, 2009, the daughter of Robert F. Kennedy, Rory Kennedy, joined the daughter of Malcolm X, Ilyasah Shabazz, for a compelling speaking event at Towson University.
The evening was bright, and it overflowed with funny anecdotes, inspirational quotes and unforgettable wisdom.
Rory Kennedy presented information on rape oversees committed against women as young as five, who are then rejected and forced to carry their burden all alone.
She shared her documentary, in which she covered the story of a young girl, Ali, who was raped at the age of 9, contracted HIV and sought comfort in the assurance of her father, who painfully rejected her.
Veronica Wilson, a senior at Towson University, said that the event changed her life.
“I am blessed to have been a part of this historic day at Towson,” said Veronica. “The mere act of having these two women of stellar accomplishment in this room speaking to all of us, inspires me to want to leave here and change the world.”
If only more people like Rory Kennedy stood up for the rights of the disenfranchised around the world, maybe this epidemic could be brought to a gradual end.
Ilyasah discussed the horrors of witnessing her father’s assassination at the young age of 3.
She discussed common misconceptions of her father, such as the notion that he changed his ideology following his excursion to Mecca.
Ilyasah spoke about the trauma her mother experienced after losing her husband in her 20s and having to raise six daughters by herself.
Her mother expected no assistance from a “diabolical, racist” government that she and her husband had fought relentlessly against.
She put all of her six daughters through school and still went on to acquire a Ph.D afterwards.
But by far, the most compelling segment of Ilyasah’s speech involved the danger of not knowing one’s history.
She criticized the American educational school system, which has strategically stripped African-Americans from the integrity of their history.
“Before there was Harvard, there was the University of Timbuktu,” she said.
There were a few disapproving expression from those, who appeared recalcitrant in their attempt to hold on to denial.
Ilyasah persisted that Black-Americans have been purposely lied to by the American government about their true identity, and this fostered a spirit of detachment amongs blacks.
“When you here that Africans are dying of poverty and starvation, you say it doesn’t bother you, because you do not see that African as a reflection of yourself,” she said.
Ilyasha argued that not only does miseducation encourage detachment, but it also fosters self-hatred and a lack of confidence among blacks, citing to the study that was reconducted in 2006, in which young African-American girls were shown a white barbie doll and a black barbie doll.
They consistently said the white doll was beautiful and pretty, while the black doll (a reflection of themselves) was ugly and bad.
Ilyasah said that any African-American or Caucasian, who either does not know the true history of blacks, denies it, or teaches the lie that the history of Africans began in slavery, rather than in royalty and wealth as educated kings and queens in Africa, is doing themselves and those around them a great disservice.
Ebony Oakcrum, a junior at Towson University, enjoyed Ilyasah’s presentation.
“I was amazed,” said Ebony. “She said some tough things that I think were hard for some people to swallow, but that’s typically how the truth is, especially when some people have dedicated so much time and effort to hiding it.”
Dr. Phyllis Freeman from the Women’s Center, presented a brief poem to end the event in style, and the daughters greeted guests, engaged in conversation and took pictures.
Photo by Success O.
October 9, 2009
Speaking of Afrocentric elements in webisodes, I thought I would also mention that Comedian and Actor Chris Rock is coming out with a new movie titled: “Good Hair.” Believe it or not, his daughter inspired the movie after she asked him why she doesn’t have good hair.
It’s amazing to see a comedian humorously address the issue of race and heritage in the black community and at the same time, provide some insight to those who might not understand the black woman’s relationship with her hair.
Eversince the enslavement of Africans from their homeland and the instillment of self-hatred in African-Americans, some of the racial and strategic classifications, which were used to divide and subjugate blacks and Africans have lingered.
During slavery, there were lighter-skinned slaves, who comprised Africans from specific tribes in Africa, as well as those who were a product of rape by their masters.
These fair-complexioned slaves, who typically possessed finer and longer hair, were often trusted more than darker-skinned slaves, and they were often put in charge by their masters.
This naturally set up the “fair skin and fine hair is better than dark skin and thick hair” construct, because darker slaves were often abhorred because of their complexion and features.
The dark slave would work outside in the heat for long hours each day as the “field negro,” while the fair slave, who resembled the master worked closer to him as the “house negro.”
Time passed and the black woman was consistently reminded that her natural, God-given, full, thick and curly hair was not beautiful. She was constantly reminded by society, media and the blonde, long-haired, blue-eyed standard of beauty.
Society formulated all types of outlandish, disrespectful and denigrative terms to diminish her hair. Her thick, curled mane became “nappy,” “kinky,” and lots of other names with negative connotations.
Her own beauty became somehow insufficient. She was lacking, and it was the worst type of insufficiency – the type that erodes self-love and confidence.
The level of self-hatred and insecurity this tactic of division imparted unto black women has haunted them for many years.
In a struggle to attain society’s standard of beauty, black women relax, perm, press their hair and put it through a variety of chemically altering processes. And as they stroll down the street, their beauty is validated when another sista walks by and says:
“Girl, she is so pretty! Do you see her good hair? I wish I had hair like that.”
Photo by Jamrock Magazine
September 17, 2009
Is this a side of Africa you probably never knew existed? I would probably bet 99 percent that it is, because it’s one which is rarely seen in the media. The beautiful picture above illustrates the “Fashion Capital of Nigeria,” Lagos.
It has been a major attraction for tourists since its renovation in 1965. In fact, most tourists do not leave the country without visiting this state.
Supermodel, Oluchi Onweagba, who has been featured in such magazines as Marie Claire, Allure and has also modeled for Victoria Secret, spent much of her time in Lagos before moving to America, and for a good reason.
With the bright colors, lights and contagious excitement, Lagos is said to be the birthplace of Western African Fashion, as Onweagba became the first renowned model in Africa, after winning the Face of Africa competition in 1998.
With several model competitions occuring annually in Lagos, it is a place where model hopefuls pray to be discovered and attain world fame like Onweagba, who is an inspiration to many.
Idiyatu Akande, a young African hoping to be discovered in America, said “There is something special about Lagos, it’s almost enigmatic. You not only come alive, but you feel this great strength like you can achieve anything you want to. It means to Nigerians what America means to those trying to attain the American dream.”
(Nigeria photo by NYFA)
Sophisticated African 