Good hair?

I have thick, straight, medium brown hair. It doesn't hold curl. It must be washed daily or it gets greasy. In Africa, my hair is a source of amusement - why, oh why, would I wash my hair every day? Because I must, I can't get away with that once a week hair salon trick they do. My hair basically just hangs off my head, anything else is a whole lot of effort and I just can't be bothered. Most day's it goes back in a rubber band, that's it, nothing more. I've often wanted waves in my hair, but that isn't what I was born with. The blessing of my hair; I wash, I go - no fuss, no frills. It fits my lifestyle.

Is hair really that big of a deal?

While visiting New Mexico there were multiple conversations with family about hair. My aunts have spent years getting relaxers as they have more kinky hair than I. One aunt had a bad relaxer session and had chunks of hair fall out from the top of her head, she was sporting a very stylish comb over with the hair that remained while the other hair grew out. My aunts grew up using flat irons and still use them daily. If Kenyon and I are blessed with a little girl, I have no idea what I will do about her hair - probably call my family for advice. My cousin (and first boss) has mixed daughters. I asked her for her solution,"keep it short, when they get older and want it long they can do it themselves." If I have a daughter, I will need lessons. During one of the many hair conversations, I shared with my family a song by my favorite recording artist, India Arie, titled "I am not my hair." You can view it here. It's all about hair and the expectations/perceptions society has of it.

In Virginia, the topic of hair came up again. Black hair in particular as Ramone does not like to comb his and his adopted momma doesn't like to fight with him about it. It is in this conversation that I learned about Chris Rock's documentary on black hair, called Good Hair. He made this documentary when one of his daughters asked him why she doesn't have "good hair." We rented it one night from the Red Box. I recommend it to anyone who wants to know more about black culture. I learned some things from it myself; the fake hair industry is dominated by Asians rather than black entrepreneurs and weave is a serious investment costing more than I ever realised. My absolute favorite though, was the term "tumble weave," we see this phenomena often in Africa. In fact, I have regular sightings at our apartment complex. What is it? Watch the movie and find out.

Kenyon was surprised by the largest supplier of weave. Where does all that hair come from? Mostly India. From women who have their head shaved as part of religious ceremonies. Suppliers then collect it from the temples, prepare it and export it globally. The women who donated it see no proceeds for their valuable hair. I had previously read about this in a news article from the BBC. Indian women have beautiful hair, I understand why others would covet it.

What is your definition of "good hair?"

I relate,

Booker T. Washington..."I always envy the individual whose life-work is so laid that he can spend his evenings at home. I have sometimes thought that people who have this rare privilege do not appreciate it as they should."

I have had similar thoughts myself. Do you cherish routines or daily time with family? It is a gift, at least that is how I see it.

Quotable Quotes: pity, joy and satisfaction

"I pity the man, black or white,
who has never experienced the joy and satisfaction that come to one by reason of an effort
to assist in making some one else more useful and more happy."

Booker T. Washington

Summer Reading: Up From Slavery

I love to read. It is my favorite leisure activity. I don't really know how my love for reading started, but I know it is unquenchable. I think it is because it feeds my love of learning. I enjoy reading stories of great men and women who have gone before, how they overcame adversity, how they fought for a mighty cause, or how their work made a difference in the world. These are my favorite stories. I would take a good biography or auto-biography over a fiction story any day.

I was recently looking through my uncles bookshelves to find something to read. Over the years it seems he has lent me or recommended most of his books. Then one caught my eye...Booker T. Washington's Up From Slavery.

Booker T. Washington began his life as a slave in Virginia. I am currently visiting friends in Virginia as part of our home leave. As I drive around this city, so full of history, I wonder what it would be like to live during the times of the transatlantic slave trade. Slavery was officially abolished in this country with the enactment of the Thirteenth Ammendment in our Constitution which was signed in to law December 1865. This book was first published 36 years later.

I view this book as a demonstration of character, will, faith and generosity. There are many quotes in the book I find inspiring. I will share one here:

When speaking of his mentor, General Armstrong, Washington says, "From his example in this respect I learned the lesson that great men cultivate love, and that only little men cherish a spirit of hatred. I learned that assistance given to the weak makes the one who gives it strong; and that oppression of the unfortunate makes one weak." Advocating a life of generosity, I like that.

There is some criticism of Washington in the black community. Why? because he advocated education in trades over higher education, especially for his race.  He set up Tuskegee Institute, of which he was president, to focus primarily on trade education and required every student to do some form of manual labor while a student there. Some consider that limiting. On this matter Washington says, "in my mind, the truth I am constantly trying to impress upon our students at Tuskegee - and on our people throughout the country, as far as I can reach them with my voice - that any man, regardless of colour, will be recognized and rewarded just in proportion as he learns to do something well - learns to do it better than some one else - however humble the thing may be." I can see wisdom in his stance.

This summer, as I look for refreshing and relaxation. As I hope for inspiration before returning back to my life and work overseas. I am reading the stories of great individuals. So far, they have not disappointed me. This is one I would recommend, also for the American history it offers during the time of reconstruction.

No man is an island

I've read books about great people. Our culture likes to make movies about them. I believe there are many great people who give of themselves faithfully for years whom we may never hear about - we may never hear their tale of extreme generosity or overcoming trials, but that doesn't lessen their impact.

I have been blessed to encounter such people on my life journey. Marty Orr is one of them. When I think of Martha the word that comes to mind is: faithful. I've known her since I was a little girl. In college she secured permission for me to volunteer with her at the School for the Deaf so I could learn about Occupational Therapy, the career path I thought I would pursue when graduating high school. She even met with me early in the morning to help me learn sign language so I could interact with the kids. Martha attended my graduation.

When I was in college and early in my adult life, Martha would send postcards with encouraging words and scriptures. She did this often and she did this for years, even when all she received from my end was silence. The generosity she has shown me, she has given to many others - children in difficult situations, those incarcerated, and so many more.

Martha may never know how much of an encouragement she has been to me in my life, but I thank God for her and the example of faithfulness she has shown me. On my recent visit to New Mexico, Kenyon and I met up with Martha and her husband Jimmy for lunch. It is always a blessing to see their smiling faces. This was a photo taken at the end of that lunch.

I was recently asked if I think there are still faithful individuals like those we hear about in history and through movies. I know there are. Martha is one of them. Premdas is one of them. I have had the privilege of meeting so many others in my travels. You may never hear their story, but my life has been enriched through these encounters. I suspect yours has been too, by others.

No man is an island, entire unto itself...I am so grateful for those who have gone before me and invested in me. I pray I can follow a similar path and have strength to endure.