Colorism is not a relic of the past, but a penchant in our present. The Schaumburg Library is hosting an exhibit called the "Colorism Project: Looking Outside the Paper Bag" to bring more attention to societies ideals around beauty. Ashley A Jones is the artist in residence

Yall, in case you missed it our girl is finally out from under the gorilla glue helmet thanks to Dr. Michael Obeng who did the pro bono surgery to help her out. If you have been living under a rock, Tessica Brown took to TikTok not talk about the cuteness of her hairstyle and how she achieved the look, perso, but was instead talking about her style, laid to the gawds was a product of gorilla glue and had been her style (of not her choice) for well over a month!

Even in the wake of the verdict from Breonna Taylor’s murder, I am still left with the thought that white women remain the most dangerous to me.

As a Black woman, slicked down edges make me feel powerful! I’m absolutely, unapologetically, proud of that fact! Now, I am a true black hair enthusiast! I enjoy black women enjoying their black hair in ANY way they see fit. Even if that means loving your hair in a manipulated state. Be it afros, coils, bundles, braids, or my favorite: a nice, powerful, slicked-up ponytail. You know the kind that's raised up high to the sky and sassy as hell! It’s mind-boggling to me that in this era of embracing our hair textures and differences that there are women still shaming others about how they enjoy their hair. You can be a beautiful black queen who embraces her hair and decide to wear it in manipulated states. In our new world full of "love your natural hair" somehow we got lost in the fact that you should be able to enjoy your hair in any state that you prefer. Duality, baby! The best part about my powerful pony, is my edges! Some may say "Girl, you are in your 30's! WHY are you still worried about baby hairs?!” Well, let’s just call these grown folk follicles then, OK?! My edges a.k.a. baby cares a.k.a. slides swoops are the razzle-dazzle to my look.

I want to dare you to think not only about the Black women in need of a safe space, but the Black children exploring for one too.

Colorism is not a relic of the past, but a penchant in our present. The Schaumburg Library is hosting an exhibit called the "Colorism Project: Looking Outside the Paper Bag" to bring more attention to societies ideals around beauty. Ashley A Jones is the artist in residence

Last week, I had to explain to my mom that I do not date because I am invisible.

Colorism isn’t a new topic nor a new issue within the Black Community. Colorism is truly an international problem as lighter skin is almost universally valued among all racial groups. It is, simply defined by Alice Walker, the “prejudicial or preferential treatment of same-race people based solely on their color.”

The most disrespected person in America is the Black woman. The most unprotected person in America is the Black woman. The most neglected person in America is the Black woman. The most policed person in the World is the Black young girl.

Young Black girls all over the world are often policed by strangers, neighbors, church members, teachers, and their own families. Black girls are policed on how to do their hair, what to wear, and their weight. We are never given the option to exist freely. There is always a system in place to remind us to be “humble”. We have to be humbled by those for being confident and lacking the confidence that they wish they had.

For as long as I can remember there was always an adult, whether it was in church or at school, that felt the need to humble me. This wasn’t discipline, this was attacking my confidence and reminding me that no matter where I wanted to find joy, I always had to shrink myself to be welcomed.

But liberal racists look nothing like that these days. They smile at you with big, bright, and seemingly accepting eyes. They wear the same hoop earrings, Frenchbraids, and Obama bumper sticker as you do. They call you presumptively endearing names like bro or sis when feeling a little spicy... They say please and thank you in docile tones...afraid of rustling feathers. They come into your communities as “well doers'', “missionaries “and “fixers”. They look at you uneasy and adjust themselves when you enter a space that they thought was safe and was away from you. ​

As living alone during the pandemic continues, reading has become almost impossible because my mind is filled with so much noise--years of buried trauma, guilt, and shame working its way upward.