Ode to the Afrodite: a poem called Beauty

This poem came about when I was thinking of an idea for a new post. My high school had recently held a talent show, and this young man, by the name of Theron Mcghee, entered one of his pieces. Honeychile,let me tell you! It's hard to get a standing ovation out of me, but I gave him one. Needless to say, he won first place for spoken word.So I sent him a message on Myspace, and asked him would he write a poem about natural hair for my blog. He said yes, and here it is.

Beauty

lets take it back to 72

where everybody was rockin' the fros

yea the nappy do

none of those additives and straighteners

yea natural was the flavor

now it seems that everybody is haters

on those that are brave and bold enough

to wear the hair god has given them

the hair god has carefully picked for her or him

its crazy

as soon as the child is born they're checking the baby

"do they have good hair?"

"do they have bad hair?"

why should you care?

now there's nothing wrong with perms and hot combs

but lets not judge those that are bold

and know the roots of their home natural hair is beautiful

not something that should be considered as unsuitable

- Theron Mcghee, member of 'The New Left'

Contact T.Mcghee: Hoyas20@yahoo.com

Narcissitic Afrodite Moment

Every afrodite should have a self-glorifying moment, or her self-esteem will suffer. It doesn't matter if you're a career woman, home-maker, housewife, or student.Take a moment to appreciate yourself every now and then. Buy a new tube of lipstick , new perfume,bangin' outfit, a new handbag ,get a pedicure; whatever you need to make you feel like you're all that and a bag of chips. Hello! Can I get three snaps up and three snaps down?



This was my moment , some me-time.

Journey before the Journey

Experienced naturals always say, " You have to make the mental journey, before you make the physical journey."

The mental journey is when you come to terms with loving the highly textured nature of your hair. It's when you build your self-esteem up like a fortress, to block out those "haters". You know, the haters who hate you, because they hate themselves...as in self-hatred. Hate the skin they're in. Whether it be golden honey, brown caramel, smooth chocolate or soft indigo; if you ain't hip to it yet...it's all melanin. Those who hate what grows out of their head, naturally, like corn grows out of the earth. I mean corn without the pesticides , insecticides,and genetic engineering. By now you should know that I'm saying, one has to be strong in who they are before becoming natural.

It doesn't matter if you have dreadlocks or an Angela Davis afro, no matter how fly you look or how bad you get down with it; "haters" are always looking for something to pass judgement on.

Don't become discouraged, because you will be celebrated and appreciated; oh! please believe you will! But the point in me writing this, is for you to be prepared for the negativity that may come your way.

Those closest to you may not understand your choice and need time to adjust. They will come to terms with and even envy your decision, because being natural is so liberating and fun.

Rock your natural or your twa ( teeny weeny afro) like no one is looking! Because whether you know it or not, all eyes are on you and your natural glowing beauty. Rest assured you give others the inspiration to make this wonderful journey.