Summer Reading List + book series review

I wanted to make a post specifically about the last book that I read, but since it wasn't the first one and I have things to say about the others, I figured I would do a little back track... for some reason I like to do things in the order that they happened. *shoulder shrug*

So, my list of books that I've read thus far are:

1. Nappily Ever After by Trisha R. Thomas
2. Black Ice by Lorene Cary
3. Would I Lie to You? by Trisha R. Thomas
4. Chin Up Girl!!!!! by Joseph Dillard (My daddy!!)

The next books on my list to read (hopefully by the end of the summer) are:

1. The Help by Kathryn Stockett
2. Nappily Married by Trisha R. Thomas

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The first books that I would like to review are Nappily Ever After and the sequel Would I Lie to You? by Trisha R. Thomas.

I decided to start reading the series by Trisha R. Thomas after reading almost the complete series of books by Pearl Cleage (author of What Looks Like Crazy on an Ordinary Day... [I highly recommend this author]). After enjoying Cleage's work, I found Thomas' books recommended on Amazon and by the mother of one of my friends. Of course, I was also attracted to these books due to the integration of the natural hair discussion. I would soon learn that this was not the primary focus of Thomas' stories. However, after reading the sequel, I learned that natural hair and accepting it or using it as a coping mechanism for other issues was still the backbone of the main character's struggles.

As I mentioned before, I plan on reading the next book in the series, Nappily Married, but the problem is that after reading the first two books, I feel like I have read all about the main character and know all that I need to know...it seems complete. This makes me nervous because this feeling has the potential of creating a drawn out experience as I read on, especially because the next book's bio mentions characters that I have already read about; nothing too new. However, there are quite a few more books in the series, so it must not be too bad. As of now, I trust Thomas' writing and look forward to reading future works by her and completing the Nappily... series, but not quite yet.

Stay tuned for more reviews!

Drumroll please.....

It has been one year since I started blogging!!

WOO! Happy Blog-iversary!


In celebration of this joyous occasion, I have started another blog site! Yep, one just isn't enough any more. But don't worry, I will not be neglecting this blog. Oh no!

My new blog site: Kinks and more... is dedicated to my natural hair journey. If you are an individual with natural hair or who is interested in learning about natural hair, feel free to follow that blog as well. The natural world is so large so I am excited to share the things that I find and the things that I try.

Thank you for allowing me to share my voice through this blog and for reading what I have to say! I have learned so much about myself in the last year and look forward to future opportunities. Maybe an advancement to video blogging? Only time will tell...

...but what do I know?

The darker the berry, the sweeter the juice.

Dark Girls: Preview from Bradinn French on Vimeo.

I found this preview this past week and it looks awesome! It touches on some very present and historical topics/issues in regards to intra-racial discrimination and societal perceptions. Being a 'Dark Girl' myself, I look forward to seeing this documentary and hope that others learn from it as well.

Personally, my own story is not as intense as some of the ladies featured in the preview. However, if it is felt by one, often times the experiences are synonymous with another. Growing up, my parents always made sure to reinforce my beauty regardless of external influences and supported their own beliefs with images and literature featuring dark skinned beauties. It was not until I grew up and left home that I truly began to experience what could be perceived as the burden of having dark skin in a particularly light world (on this side of the ocean at least).

One poem that I specifically remember growing up is "Sweet Blackberry”  from the book, Meet Danitra Brown by Nikki Grimes.

Danitra says my skin’s like double
Chocolate fudge ‘cause I’m so dark.
The kids at school say it another way.
“You so black, girl,” they say
“at night, people might think
you ain’t nothin’ but a piece o’ sky.

I never cry, but inside there’s a hurting place.
I make sure no one sees it on my face.
Then mama tells me, “Next time, honey, you just say
The blacker the berry, the sweeter the juice.”
Now, that’s what I do.
I sure wish I had told them that before.
Those kids don’t bother teasin’ me no more. 

I think that this poem sums up the pressures of the world along with parental support very well and should be used as a tool to inspire young girls all over the world.


Now, on another note... I don't want to get too into this here, but the issue of intra-racial discrimination always perplexes me. As mentioned in the preview, it's origins can be traced back to slavery with the concept of the field slave (the dark skinned) and the house slave (the light/er skinned). This concept always cracks me up because at the end of the day, whether field or house, a slave was a slave. I find it hard to conceptualize a 'better slave.' From that point, Blacks with fair skin have been considered 'more acceptable' in society because they are closer in appearance to our White counterparts, leaving dark/er skinned individuals with the perception of being 'less than'. I personally feel like that mentality puts Blacks, light and dark, at a mental disadvantage...if they accept it, that is. Especially because it is effecting our children immensely!! (also previewed in this documentary) Hopefully we can get past this as a community (some day) and stop breaking each other down; as a complete unit we would be so much stronger in the world and for each other.

Ok. I'm getting off of my soapbox for the moment.

Enjoy the preview, stay Black, be easy, keep it classy, stay beautiful, keep it real and all that jazz.

...but what do I know?

Express Yourself

For this generation "expressing oneself" seems to be easier said than done. In a world filled with commitments, expectations, social networks, texting, technology, and confusion, life tends to be overwhelming. Think about it, we spend our days attached to our cell phones and emails, most people are connected to two or more social networks. We have jobs, classes, additional activities, not to mention our relationships that require time. On top of all that, we have the nerve to want to express ourselves.

How do you have an opinion in a world that is constantly shooting its views at us and disregarding our individual feelings? How do you follow your values when the top concern is following the right person on Twitter? How do you truly know who your friends are when you have 1000+ "friends" on Facebook? In a world where corruption is expected, how do you even claim religion or spirituality? How do you show that you are an individual regardless of the various sectors that you associate with? It is no longer necessary to interact with others on a personal level, so how do we release our feelings, thoughts, desires?

A common answer to all of these questions is one that is more recently being accepted; One that I have begun to recognize within my generation more and more. The answer is tattoos. Everywhere that I turn another one of my friends, associates, or peers has another tattoo donning a scripture, song lyric, character, family name/initial, or symbol that serves as a reflection of who they are on the inside. Because we are expending our outlets for creativity and expression, our bodies have become our art pallets.

Don't get me wrong...there are still stupid. I mean, really ridiculous tattoos. Expressions of random animals and symbols that only stand as reminders of the crazy times had. Some tattoos that have absolutely no meaning and that's fine. That in itself is still a manner of self expression.

I don't know.
Maybe some people want a permanent reminder of their passions; or maybe their pain. Maybe people just want everyone to know who they think they are; what they think of themselves. Maybe people want to mark a significant milestone; something they've overcome. Maybe some people want to fit in. Maybe that tattoo is the only think that keeps someone going. (A little too much? ok...)

This is not an anti-tattoo message by any means. I often contemplate inking my body as well... (but my control issues and the permanent nature of tattoos won't allow me to.) Please, continue to get your stars, song lyrics, and Chinese characters. But keep in mind that eventually you will run out of body space (or get old) and will be forced to abstractly display the values that you have chosen to brand yourself with.

...but what do I know?

(Now, typically I would insert the video for "Express Yourself" by NWA...but that's a whole different form of expression. I think you get the point.)

What I Learned in Kindergarten!

The following is a poem that I wrote for my final presentation about my semester teaching a Kindergarten class. I learn a lot from this class of little people and wanted to share a piece of my experience. Enjoy! (It looks longer than it is!)

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

There once was a student

who wanted to know

what it was like to be a teacher.

She worked very hard

To learn what it takes,

This student was very eager.

This student had worked

With children before

But nothing quite this official.

Time cards and lesson plans,

Read alouds, and crafts,

This experience would be beneficial.

Before she was able

to step into class

a few things had to be planned.

How would she make an impact

at Washington school,

when respect she had to command.

The first three goals

That she set for herself

Were stay educated, be flexible, and reflect.

This meant being in tune

With the needs of the class

And be sure everything would connect.

Connect to the students

Connect to their lives

Connect reading, writing, and math

Reflect on the lessons,

Reflect on the feelings,

Even in stress, stay on the right path.

Whenever there’s something

That doesn’t work out

Don’t fret, just research and learn

About other ways

The students can grasp

The concepts you want them to earn.

Now on to the students,

The wonderful beings

Full of such personalities

At all different levels

Of reading, of learning,

Their success is our responsibility.

The students were open

And willing to join

Me on this adventure of learning to teach

Throughout my time shared

Assignments and projects

Each student I hope that I reached.

This journey was not quite

As smooth as planned,

It definitely could have been better.

Ambitious in some

of the tasks that I asked

I was forced to get it together

Though some of the assignments

Were asking a lot

Much to my intention

The students will deliver

To your expectations

As long as they pay attention.

By the end of my

Ten weeks in Kindergarten

The amount that I learned was priceless.

Repeat everything,

Don’t speak too fast,

Make sure the lessons have a purpose.

Ask clear questions,

Read fun books,

They love to color with markers,

At the end of the day

They want you to listen

They’ll tell you their stories regardless.

Those students in room

121,

taught me more than I can share

But overall

The students just want

To know that you care and you’ll be there.

On my journey to being

A teacher of K…

Maybe even 1^st grade

It is not about the impact

That I had

But the difference in my life they made.

The class door that I decorated

Most of my class

Me reading to the class