Cha Ching!

I did it!

Or should I say...I didn't do it.

In honor of boycotting "Black Friday", I didn't spend one red cent on ANYTHING today. Mind you, big business isn't gonna miss my little "woulda been" purchases today, but if ALL Black people had kept their dollars in their pockets today, then a real impact would have been seen and felt.

I dunno. Black folks are always making demands and crying out for change and social justice, but when asked to hold back on purchasing items (that we really don't need anyway), "the cause" goes right out the window...and "big business" is laughing all the way to the bank.

Anyway...I did MY part, as small as that part was. My conscious is clear. At the very least, I can say that I tried.

Let the DIALOGUE begin: How many Black Friday deals to you take advantage of today?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

I AM My Hair

Today I did something bold and daring (at least by MY standards).

I went on a job interview and wore my natural hair...in an AFRO.

I know this might not be a big bold move for most folks, but for ME it was HUGE.

Normally I would go to "the shop" and get my hair straightened (all nice and Corporate-European looking), but since my budget is down to ZERO...that just wasn't an option.

I could have straightened it myself but that just takes sooo much time...and it never comes out very nice when I do it anyway, so I figured, "Why bother?"

The REAL reason why I wore my "Natural" (as my Mom used to call it) was because I am tired of Black women THINKING that we have to go into the interview looking like someone we are not. Sure...I get that there are some Black women who truly do prefer to wear their hair straightened because that is what they like. I get it...and I ain't mad at 'em. But I'm talking about the rest (of us). Why do WE feel that we have to go in "looking' a certain way? Why have we allowed society to do that to us?

So, perhaps in a small act of rebellion against "the establishment", I decided to go in as God created me. The interviewers should have had NO problem with that. My hair was CLEAN...I washed it this morning, and it was NEATLY combed. So...like I said before...there should be NO issue.

As I told my friend Judy yesterday, "If Heidi and Buffy can wear THEIR natural hair to an interview, then why can't I?"

So there...I did it!

As for the interview...I think it went well. The office is a lot further than I prefer to drive though, and once I'm hired (how's that for thinking optimistically), I will probably take public transportation to work because there is NO WAY that my car will be able to handle that drive on a daily basis. So...we'll see.

Let the DIALOGUE begin: What's the oddest thing you've ever experienced in an interview?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

Say It Loud!!!

So a few weeks ago "Joe" and I were talking about some of his "favorites". His favorite movie is "Roots" followed very closely by "Coming To America." One of...and this very well MAY BE his favorite books is Assata: An Autobiography by Assata Shakur.

So many things about Joe fascinate me, especially his love and passion for helping to empower people in the community. He thrives on doing exactly what I wish I could do EVERYDAY. He is all about community activism which is one of the many characteristics that I love about him.

Finding myself curious, I went to my local library and got the book. Can I tell you...it has been virtually impossible to put down. I am LOVING it, and wondering how it is that I'd never read it before now.

Then again...I'm not THAT surprised. You see, books like these aren't part of the "mainstream curriculum" at most schools. Not in grades K-12 and sadly, not in most colleges, except for the HBCUs. When I consider those facts, it's really NOT that surprising that I've never read the book.

Here's what I'm finding though...as I've just gotten through a little over half of the book, I'm anxious for it to end, yet I don't want it to end, and I am ready for MORE books like this one which detail the "Black struggle" and the strength of those who have been brutalized, yet endured as a result.

So many stories have been told. So many stories I have yet to read.

Let the DIALOGUE begin: What are some of YOUR favorite books about the Civil Rights Movement, and the amazing folks who fought through it. Not so much a "physical" fight, but a fight for their lives, just to make it through.

Talk to me...

Til next time...

Surprised?

Last Saturday I got together with friends and we created our 2015 Vision Boards. One of the things that I had on my board was "Book Club". I either wanted to join one or start one. I've always loved reading and I really enjoy discussing what I read, so a book club is perfect.

Well...a few days ago I found a local group that was meeting this evening...so, I went. And I'm glad I did.

Although I didn't read last month's book, I enjoyed hearing the ladies discuss their opinions. Most didn't like it and were very detailed with their reasons why. This I found quite entertaining.

At one point in the group we went around and did introductions. There was a fairly even split between new members like myself and members who've been in the group since the beginning. They were all very welcoming and I felt like I'd been part of the club forever.

When it came time for the founder to introduce herself she said something that always makes my ears perk up when I hear it. She mentioned that she enjoys getting together with these ladies each month because everyone just gets along so well...no "attitudes", no "weave-pulling", just women of color (Black women) who share a love for reading and togetherness.

I thought, "Hmmm...that sounds just like my running group."

We are a group of Black women who enjoy "hitting the pavement" together, yet we also find ourselves together at pretty much any other social event because we just like each other that much. We truly enjoy sharing each other's company. We travel together, attend concerts & plays together, dine together...you name it.

I wondered why it is that Black women always have to explain the fact that we are able to "get along" when I rarely, if ever, hear women of other races make the same statement.

I realize though that this stems from how we are so negatively portrayed on television. If all people see on television are images of Black women raising their voices at one another, stabbing each other in the back, stealing each other's men, and getting into physical altercations, then that is what the world is going to EXPECT of us, and will continue to be surprised when they see different.

So the question is...what needs to be done in order for the Black woman's image to shift from negative, to the true depiction, which is POSITIVE? I mean seriously...I don't know ANY Black women like the ones we see on television. MY friends are EDUCATORS, DOCTORS, WRITERS, ENGINEERS, ENTREPRENEURS, SOCIAL WORKERS, LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS, and so much more.

Anyhoo...I'm glad to now be a part of yet another POSITIVE group of Black women. And no...it's not like I don't see positivity in other races, because truly, my circle of friends is quite the melting pot. Yet there is a unique energy that comes from being around other Black folks (male and/or female...doesn't matter to me), who are doing great things, that I just feed off of.

Let the DIALOGUE begin: Are YOU in a Book Club? If so, is it diverse, or is it specific to YOUR race?

Talk to me!

Til next time...