"Who taught you to hate the color of your skin? Who taught you to hate the texture of your hair? Who taught you to hate the shape of you nose and the shape of your lips? Who taught you to hate yourself from the top of your head to the soles of your feet?"
- Malcom X (Ronald Stokes funeral service)
These questions still resonate deeply with us today, because the conditions that created the insecurities we have in ourselves, still exist. We exist within those conditions, so we still battle with self acceptance in all forms. Sometimes, the fight's easier because there are tangible victories. Viola's Emmy acceptance speech. My mom resisting the urge to smooth out my curly edges. I celebrate all of our successes. Over the weekend, and in case you missed it, I collaborated with two natural hair vloggers (Nappyfu and LivingwithOsa) on tips we thought naturals with the curliest hair textures would like to hear. While my partners created uniquely applicable content that was punchy and direct, my video veered into the motivational realm.
Before scheduling the video upload, I'd had a bout of anxiety about the length of it and about my entire demeanor. It was longer than the others and long videos toe the line between being inspirational and preachy.
I didn't want to be preachy.
But, I wanted to convey a message that I as a 7 year natural would appreciate hearing from others with my hair type. I'd have appreciated the message at any stage during my journey, frankly.
In that perspective, I was able to rest a bit easier, and to anticipate the responses that the video would elicit, in a calmer and strengthened manner. And plus, I'd asked viewers to comment on their own mindset shifts they'd experienced along the way. Most of mine were discussed in the video, and I'm
still reading through all the comments, because my viewers went in y'all. I'd asked them to, and they rose to the occasion beautifully.
All three of our videos are here for you to view. I'd love to hear your thoughts, as well.
Have you experienced any mindset shifts of your own?
- Malcom X (Ronald Stokes funeral service)
These questions still resonate deeply with us today, because the conditions that created the insecurities we have in ourselves, still exist. We exist within those conditions, so we still battle with self acceptance in all forms. Sometimes, the fight's easier because there are tangible victories. Viola's Emmy acceptance speech. My mom resisting the urge to smooth out my curly edges. I celebrate all of our successes. Over the weekend, and in case you missed it, I collaborated with two natural hair vloggers (Nappyfu and LivingwithOsa) on tips we thought naturals with the curliest hair textures would like to hear. While my partners created uniquely applicable content that was punchy and direct, my video veered into the motivational realm.
Before scheduling the video upload, I'd had a bout of anxiety about the length of it and about my entire demeanor. It was longer than the others and long videos toe the line between being inspirational and preachy.
I didn't want to be preachy.
But, I wanted to convey a message that I as a 7 year natural would appreciate hearing from others with my hair type. I'd have appreciated the message at any stage during my journey, frankly.
In that perspective, I was able to rest a bit easier, and to anticipate the responses that the video would elicit, in a calmer and strengthened manner. And plus, I'd asked viewers to comment on their own mindset shifts they'd experienced along the way. Most of mine were discussed in the video, and I'm
still reading through all the comments, because my viewers went in y'all. I'd asked them to, and they rose to the occasion beautifully.
All three of our videos are here for you to view. I'd love to hear your thoughts, as well.
Have you experienced any mindset shifts of your own?
Thanks for this!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome!
Deletei listened to this all the way through and loved the tips especially the one about not needing to change your exture in the form of straightining to feel special <3
DeleteIt's so simple but so real. Thank so much for watching all the way through Sis lol.
DeleteGreat job my dear!
DeleteRealizing that I dislike my relaxed hair but continued to do it for years because I was scared of how I would be viewed by my peers and colleagues
ReplyDelete