Tuesday, July 8, 2008

first post: random thoughts

1. Thank you for visiting my blog. Please stay tuned! More interesting and thought-provoking posts to come!

2. "Akili ni Mali" is an old Kiswahili saying that means "knowledge is wealth" and I truly believe that the only way change in this world and true spiritual, mental and emotional wealth can come about is through learning our erased histories, unlearning, and through the decolonization of our minds.

3. Mia Michaels is a true walking genius! How many of those have you been honoured to witness? (I've just been watching SYTYCD) She really is insane!!!! (meaning good) If you want proof, just watch any of her routines.

4. Yes, I just used the British spelling on the word 'honoured' and will continue to use British spelling because that is what I am used to since the British decided it was alright for them to come and steal our land and our people and teach us this foreign language.

5. The name 'Judy' is dead. Please refrain from using that name. If you call me Judy and I know you know I changed my name, I simply will not respond.

6. I just wrote a paper on hair. Here is a profound and interesting quote I found while researching for the paper that I think is worth posting.

"Two psychiatrists argue that the process of grooming hair is not only painfully for black girls, but the end result is that black female children look simply acceptable rather than beautiful. One of the Grier and Cobbs’s conclusions is that girls receive the message that their hair in its natural state is undesirable; otherwise they would not have to endure the pain of getting their hair straightened. The psychiatrists also discuss the differences of hair grooming processes between African American and white women. For example, even if white women endure pain while grooming their hair, the result is that their beauty is enhanced – a beauty, the authors argue, that is already celebrated even before they enter the hair salon. In black women, on the other hand, not only are their features uncelebrated, but they must also submit to the humiliating pressing comb to be deemed presentable." (Banks, 2000)

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