Photo credits: Quortshirts.com Every author was once a reader. When I was a child, I was fortunate enough to read "The Skin I'm In" by Sharon G. Flake and it benefitted me as I got older. But I'll admit that I was frustrated while reading it because I couldn't understand why they were so mean to Maleekah. It's just skin, I thought to myself. Yet, for her, it wasn't just skin. It was a reason to be teased. And I'm going to leave it there as I ease into my next point. Kodak, can be my baby daddy?
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Segoete, Lineo. "STARVING ARTIST." Mahala (2014). mahala.co.za. Walking down the street donning a gray t-shirt, wrinkled jogging pants, a sunhat blocking her colorful hair, mismatched socks (one of which was part of the getup they give you at the hospital) and cheap, slip-on sandals, she put her key into the gate that led to her apartment but dropped it while doing so - all of the contents of her bag spilling out and causing onlookers to laugh their behinds off. Sound like a comedy sketch or nah?
By society's standards, the person I just described might be ascribed labels such as "ghetto" or "hood rat" or "welfare queen," but she can also be ascribed college student, organization president, bomb poet - who's favorite spot is the Harold's Shack. The scenario I'm describing is not from a comedy sketch and not fiction (except the part about my purse spilling and onlookers laughing). This anecdote was based on a true story that happened on a very long Sunday. Photo creds: Brown, K. "The Problem With Baby Hairs, 'Urban' and the Fashion Industry." Jezebel (2014). http://jezebel.com/the-problem-with-baby-hairs-urban-and-the-fashion-indu-1635947700 I want to start off by talking about the "White Savior" complex as it appears in many instances in society. This complex is most prominent in white liberals who act "down for the cause" but don't even realize, or acknowledge, that they're actually racist and/or exhibit racist tendencies. Some comments you might hear from them include: I voted for Obama. I have Black friends. I listen to rap music. None, as in NOT ONE; ZERO, of the above qualifies as "standing" for Black issues. Oftentimes, they'll play Waka Flocka the loudest but be the quietest when you ask their stance on the death of Jordan Edwards, or other African American people who have been affected by police brutality. Most recently, Katy Perry was on the chopping block. She has a song with Migos called "Bon Appetit," but we've yet to hear her openly say she supports Black issues. Others who have been blasted for their fake tolerance include: the annoying Kardashian Klan, the problematic Jenner sisters, Taylor Swift, and Justin Bieber.
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The "Rebellious Woman" blog is a periodic scoop on hair, love, race, politics, and everything in between. Stay tuned for reflections the life of a rebel with a cause! Archives
September 2018
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