Sunday Style: Braid Out and African Fabric Headband

To close out Black History month my church had an African Heritage themed Sunday. It was pretty cool to see a sea of bright colors and so many different patterns of Kente cloth.

My BFF came down for the weekend and rocked a head wrap and hubby (no pictured) wore a kente cloth tie and pocket hanky.

Taking pics outside when it is cold and windy is not easy, LOL.

For the headband please check out Rachel Stewart, she has some awesome creations.

Sunday's Message:

Psalm 137: 1-4
This Sunday was more along the lines of educational. My pastor spoke on the important role that music plays in the Black worship. It was pretty cool how he used to choir to demonstrated each era of music and sing examples of songs that he spoke up. It make for an interactive and exciting service.

In honor of this sermon, this song has been on constant rotation on my MP3:

Black History Month: Because of...

I did not do as many posts as I originally wanted to do with BHM. February has been busy and time really flew by.

Because of Mark Dean (1957 - ) along with his co-inventor Dennis Moelle created a microcomputer system with bus control means for peripheral processing devices. This invention allows the use of computer plug-ins like disk drives, speakers, scanners, etc... I can blog

Because of Thomas J. Martin patented a fire extinguisher in 1872 my kitchen didn't burn down (long story).

Because of Joseph Winters invented a fire escape ladder in 1878 I have a way to escape a burning building.

Because of Lonnie G. Johnson (1949 - ), an engineer who performed spacecraft system design for NASA, invented the Super Soaker water gun - the number one selling toy in America in 1991 I can win those summertime water fights!

Because of John Love invented the pencil sharpener in 1897 I was provided with a tool for learning.

Because of music composer and producer, Quincy Jones is the most Grammy-nominated artist in the history of the awards with 76 nominations and 26 awards I heard some good music.

And because of the 2.4 million black military veterans in the United States -the highest of any minority group (According to the American Community Survey, in 2005) I am able to live in the land of the free!

Black History Month: Today in Black History

Nelson Mandela is released

February 11, 1990

Black History Month: Our Hair Pt 2

If you read Our Hair Part 1 then you read about how hair was very respected in African. Not because of its length or texture but because its meaning, it defined a person and it defined tribes.....Then we "arrived" in the west and other peoples perception of afro-textured hair birthed self-hate in many Blacks. This is not all bad depending on your point of view-this opened doors for Black inventors and entrepreneurs (Madam C. J. Walker, Annie Malone, etc.).

"It has been debated whether hair straightening practices arose out of a desire to conform to a Eurocentric standard of beauty." It would seem that the European influence did have a lot to do with the evolution of black hairstyles because so much effort was put into trying to make the highly textured hair straight, smooth, and flowing. Many individuals endured intense discomfort just to get "that look." Remember that scene from The Temptations movie.

"The civil rights movement and black power and pride movements of the 1960s and 1970s in the U.S. created an impetus for African Americans to express their political commitments and self-love by the wearing of fairly long, natural hair." This is unfortunately why people still have the mindset that anyone wearing natural hair is all about fight the power and extremely Afrocentric. Loving yourself does not mean that you hate all others. Many movies from that era also reflect the change in hairstyles.

"However, most Black women in the West, continue to relax their hair. For, despite the rise in the popularity of these natural hair styles, people are discouraged from wearing their hair in a natural style in the workplace and/or by their families, friends, or significant others." This is a sad truth that far too many of us can relate to. Someone we find the strength to keep it kinky, curly, coily, highly textured, and healthy. Good hair is healthy hair.

Evolution of Style

(not an all inclusive list)

Afro

Cornrows

Dreadlocks

Conk

Perm/Relaxed

Jheri curl

Hair weave

Sources: Wikipedia Afro-textured hair

Pictures: Google Image Search

Happy Black History Month!

Black History Month: Old Fashion Hair Myths

Click image for a larger view.

Source: Google Books

Black History Month: Our Hair Pt 1

Our hair has a history. In West African societies individuals wore their hair in certain styles to show to others the tribe of which they belonged. Names were often even given to individuals based on the examination of their hair type because each person had a unique type of hair. There was also a level of respect for women that had long thick hair because this symbolized a life force and the woman's ability to raise bountiful farms and many healthy children. Hair's value was increase even more in the spiritual realm. The Yoruba people were required to keep their hair braided in certain styles as a part of their religion. The head is the most northern part of the body and viewed as the part of the body that is closest to the heavens and therefore communication from the God's and spirits would pass through the hair. Because of the respect that the African people held for hair; hair dressers were also held in high regard.

If this interests you, I encourage you to read more:

References

Afro-Textured Hair

Hair story: untangling the roots of Black hair in America

By Ayana D. Byrd, Lori L. Tharps

February is Black History Month

Today in Black History for February 1^st

Ratification of the 13th Amendment

February 1, 1865

The 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which abolished slavery, was adopted by the 38th Congress. Ratification was completed December 6, 1865.