Tell one thing new about yourself - Page 23

Makeda Maysa · 04-11-2008, 01:21 PM

One thing new about myself:
I have been locking my hair for almost a year and sport a headful of beautiful, curly Sisterlocks! (If you want to know what they are, go to www.sisterlocks.com) Many in the bellydance community don't know that, as I'm usually wearing a wig onstage and in pictures!

Reen.Blom · 04-11-2008, 06:55 PM

I am thinking postive.

PS Makeda your hair looks loveley!

Makeda Maysa · 04-11-2008, 08:00 PM

Thank you!

KuteNurse · 04-11-2008, 08:16 PM

Yes...Gorgeous hair. I am combing mine as we speak. I just washed it in the shower

Brea · 04-11-2008, 09:30 PM

Makeda- my best friend and bellydance partner in crime is black and has locks. I think it means 'dreadlocks' to her. She said for a long time (even now, I guess) black people were discouraged from having their own real hair (I am not sure who was discouraging them). She said when she first got locks her family wasn't happy. I think they are beautiful! I support people being able to do whatever they want.

Nothing much new with me I guess.

Makeda Maysa · 04-12-2008, 12:32 AM

Hi Brea - thanks for your post. Yes, locks = dreadlocks. I don't add the "dread" part because it's not a word with positive connotations and my hair is nothing but beautiful and wonderful ... I wouldn't associate the word "dread" with it.

I know and have experienced what your friend is talking about when she says that Black people have not been encouraged to wear our hair in its natural state. It has a lot to do with racial dynamics in this country (and the world, in general), which, of course, is way too complex to talk about here, but, needless to say, for many, many years, people have been taught to believe that things that are closer to White are more beautiful. And that means lighter skin and straighter hair. Those of us who embrace our brown skin and wear our hair in all its kinky, curly glory are basically flying in the face of a culture that does not see beauty as looking like we do. My family, particularly my grandmother, was not at all happy when I decided to stop relaxing my hair. But I had to do it - as a way of reclaiming my uniqueness, of learning to love myself the way I am created, of acknowledging that God makes no mistakes and would have given me straight hair if He'd wanted me to have it. It is a political statement, too, of course. I am saying that no one can define my idea of beauty but me and that what I am right now is beautiful and right.

Brea · 04-12-2008, 12:48 AM

Hi Makeda-

I agree with you wholeheartedly. My friend and I are working on some race issue stuff in history with the intention of further promoting equality. We are very popular when we dance together as we compliment each other very well. She has done her degree in racial identity in Scotland and mine is in Scotland and stereotyping. We are writing a book about slavery together.

She told me that when she was growing up there was a lot of pressure to 'be black'. She said people called her an Oreo all the time because she liked Lord of the Rings and wasn't all that interested in rap or whatever. She protests against the idea that black people should try to shoehorn themselves into a stereotype, and I agree.

Re: I thought I would say 'dread' to differentiate the kind of locks she had to the kind of locks you were talking about for other readers. I knew there was a reason she only says 'locks' but never knew what it was. We talk a lot about culture and how people, both black and white, perceive each other- we have lots of no holds barred conversations about that. Sorry to go off topic a bit but it is one of my favorite subjects.

Makeda Maysa · 04-12-2008, 01:00 AM

Hey Brea! It's one of my favorite topics, too, so I'm all for the discussion! Thanks!

Farasha Hanem · 04-12-2008, 04:07 AM

I got into a fight with my veil at the outdoor ren faire last Saturday---the veil laid the smackdown on me, and won...

Reen.Blom · 04-12-2008, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Makeda Maysa

But I had to do it - as a way of reclaiming my uniqueness, of learning to love myself the way I am created, of acknowledging that God makes no mistakes and would have given me straight hair if He'd wanted me to have it. It is a political statement, too, of course. I am saying that no one can define my idea of beauty but me and that what I am right now is beautiful and right.

That's a good point actually...Ooooh I wish I had mine curly!!! Mine is so flat...yikes.... LOL Have to embrace the straightness of it though...

I never knew that wearing hair certain way can be a political statement nowadays.... well unlike in olden days a woman had to have a long hair, or say punker hairstyles to rebell against the 'norm'....

I always want to perm mine, but afraid its too fragile... Makeda I truely think your locks look adorable and I dunno why one should be discouraged to have it this way!

*hug*

04-11-2008, 01:21 PM	#221 (permalink)
Makeda Maysa Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 234	One thing new about myself: I have been locking my hair for almost a year and sport a headful of beautiful, curly Sisterlocks! (If you want to know what they are, go to www.sisterlocks.com) Many in the bellydance community don't know that, as I'm usually wearing a wig onstage and in pictures! __________________ The Niraja Dance Company www.thendc.net

04-11-2008, 06:55 PM	#222 (permalink)
Reen.Blom V.I.P. Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Between Heaven and Earth Posts: 2,262	I am thinking postive. PS Makeda your hair looks loveley! __________________ Join WORLD BELLY DANCE DAY! www.worldbellydanceday.com

04-11-2008, 08:00 PM	#223 (permalink)
Makeda Maysa Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 234	Thank you! __________________ The Niraja Dance Company www.thendc.net

04-11-2008, 09:30 PM	#225 (permalink)
Brea V.I.P. Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: USA Posts: 1,283	Makeda- my best friend and bellydance partner in crime is black and has locks. I think it means 'dreadlocks' to her. She said for a long time (even now, I guess) black people were discouraged from having their own real hair (I am not sure who was discouraging them). She said when she first got locks her family wasn't happy. I think they are beautiful! I support people being able to do whatever they want. Nothing much new with me I guess. __________________ www.breamorgiane.com

04-12-2008, 12:32 AM	#226 (permalink)
Makeda Maysa Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 234	Hi Brea - thanks for your post. Yes, locks = dreadlocks. I don't add the "dread" part because it's not a word with positive connotations and my hair is nothing but beautiful and wonderful ... I wouldn't associate the word "dread" with it. I know and have experienced what your friend is talking about when she says that Black people have not been encouraged to wear our hair in its natural state. It has a lot to do with racial dynamics in this country (and the world, in general), which, of course, is way too complex to talk about here, but, needless to say, for many, many years, people have been taught to believe that things that are closer to White are more beautiful. And that means lighter skin and straighter hair. Those of us who embrace our brown skin and wear our hair in all its kinky, curly glory are basically flying in the face of a culture that does not see beauty as looking like we do. My family, particularly my grandmother, was not at all happy when I decided to stop relaxing my hair. But I had to do it - as a way of reclaiming my uniqueness, of learning to love myself the way I am created, of acknowledging that God makes no mistakes and would have given me straight hair if He'd wanted me to have it. It is a political statement, too, of course. I am saying that no one can define my idea of beauty but me and that what I am right now is beautiful and right. __________________ The Niraja Dance Company www.thendc.net

04-11-2008, 08:16 PM	#224 (permalink)
KuteNurse V.I.P. Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Duluth, Minnesota Posts: 2,969	Yes...Gorgeous hair. I am combing mine as we speak. I just washed it in the shower

04-12-2008, 12:48 AM	#227 (permalink)
Brea V.I.P. Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: USA Posts: 1,283	Hi Makeda- I agree with you wholeheartedly. My friend and I are working on some race issue stuff in history with the intention of further promoting equality. We are very popular when we dance together as we compliment each other very well. She has done her degree in racial identity in Scotland and mine is in Scotland and stereotyping. We are writing a book about slavery together. She told me that when she was growing up there was a lot of pressure to 'be black'. She said people called her an Oreo all the time because she liked Lord of the Rings and wasn't all that interested in rap or whatever. She protests against the idea that black people should try to shoehorn themselves into a stereotype, and I agree. Re: I thought I would say 'dread' to differentiate the kind of locks she had to the kind of locks you were talking about for other readers. I knew there was a reason she only says 'locks' but never knew what it was. We talk a lot about culture and how people, both black and white, perceive each other- we have lots of no holds barred conversations about that. Sorry to go off topic a bit but it is one of my favorite subjects. __________________ www.breamorgiane.com

04-12-2008, 01:00 AM	#228 (permalink)
Makeda Maysa Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 234	Hey Brea! It's one of my favorite topics, too, so I'm all for the discussion! Thanks! __________________ The Niraja Dance Company www.thendc.net

04-12-2008, 04:07 AM	#229 (permalink)
Farasha Hanem Moderator Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: In the heartland of the USA Posts: 597	I got into a fight with my veil at the outdoor ren faire last Saturday---the veil laid the smackdown on me, and won...