Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Remembering 9-11




On this day 12 years ago, I was in the military, stationed on the island of Oahu’, Hawaii… I awakened to a phone call and the individual on the other end of the line said “Are You Up”?  Of course I wasn’t, there was a six hour difference in time zone…  But I said, sure, “What’s Up?, What’s Going On?”, because it was real early for me.

Caller:  Turn on the TV!

Me:  What??  What’s going on?  As I reached for the remote control off my night stand.  (Stomach drops)

Caller:  Do you see what’s going on?

Me:  Yes!!! O, My GOD!!!  (Images of the plains hitting the Twin Towers)

Caller:  I wasn’t sure if you were aware of what’s going on here and decided to call you.

Me:  Thanks! I’ll call you later, gotta head in to work NOW!!  (Heading in before my actual shift)

Caller:  OK!  Love You. Be Safe…  (Phone disconnects)

After getting off the phone, I stopped and sat back on the bed wondering, “What in the world is going on here?”  As I had never felt so displaced and helpless...  Helpless from the stand point of feeling the nation’s heart beat, for many watched holding their breath, viewing the unimaginable terror before their eyes.  

This is a day that our nation will never forget…  For on today, we remember those who died, lost loved ones and friends.  We also remember the many volunteers, professionals and other servants who put their lives on the line or in harm’s way to help their fellow brethren.  We will never forget, September 11, 2001.  Remembering 9-11.

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

We Can Say Some "Super Stupid" Stuff



 A good friend of mine emailed me a link to an article about Sheryl Underwood early this week…  Wondering if I had seen the episode of “The Talk” which aired on Friday, August 30, 2013.  Well, needless to say, I hadn’t seen the taping, nor had I heard about her comment concerning “Afro Hair” at that time.

Since the link was sent to me directly, I figured I’d better take a look at it!  The title alone made me say, “Here we go again” as these kinds of comments are demeaning and amplified even the more when they come from our own people.

At that point, I wasn’t sure what to make of the comment.  First thought, ignorance?  Plain old stupidity?  Man, Sheryl should know better considering she had grown up in Little Rock, AR….  Then I realized I was being judgmental without having viewed the clip for myself to see what was said and the context in which it was expressed (Being Honest)…


Photographer: Sabrina "Brina" Brown (Atlanta, GA)

Once I saw it, I said, “Now, this is a JOKE Right?”  “Is she trying to BE FUNNY?”   LORD we know the subject of “Black Hair” less known “Natural Black Hair” is still an ISSUE…  If this was a joke, then the joke is still on us, meaning not knowing the “True BEaUty of Who We Are as A PEOPLE”, because it’s much deeper than just hair alone (In My Opinion).

Here’s the thing, we might not agree with what she said, but note, “We All Have Said Some Super Stupid Stuff” in our time (The term “Super Stupid” came from my Uncle Ricky who used to tell us that coming up when we said or did something that was just way beyond his comprehension)… 
  
The key is for us to become more conscious of what we say, because once the words pour forth from your mouth, you can’t erase them. You might be able to apologize for what was said, but it will never reduce the sting of its initial impact especially if the words are “negative”.

The Word of God says “You are snared by the words of your mouth; you are taken by the words of your mouth.” (Proverbs 6:2)  This being the case, don’t you think it’s time to start saying some “Super Smart” things about "Black Hair" more specifically “Natural Black Hair”?

Share your point of view:  What’s the Real Rootz of this matter?  And how can we heal as a collective?


Miss Pro-Natural
"Yah-Tay"