Just the other day I received a text from a friend asking if I would help her care for the hair of her future adopted African American children. Might I add that she is Caucasian. Some might say, what the hell? But for me, knowing her, I didn't find it insulting at all. She expressed how she was just completely uninformed on the care and maintenance of African American hair. I've known this young lady since Kindergarten. Literally, she was amongst the great people I sat with and made friends with my first day in Kindergarten. We also went to high school together. We've talking about everything under the sun from the Temptations "My Girl" to how to work a math problem to why mixed setting are better than non. I've always admired her for various reasons since our wee Kindergarten days, but recently because she, like one of my other friends, openly expressed her desire to adopt African American children, particularly African American boys. As many of you may know or could have guessed, there is a high rate of African American boys in our foster care system. They are the least likely to be adopted according to statistics. Knowing this how could I or any other person for that matter be even the least bit mad that her goal is to help the underprivileged. I admire her stance because I know it won't be easy. I'd rather see those children with other races that want them rather than roaming the foster care system or the streets for the rest of their lives.
I feel that if someone is going to be that hero and help someone of another race, it's important that they educate themselves about that child's individual needs and their cultural background. Proper hair care has always been high up on my list of priorities being that I grew up in a household with a sister that's a beautician and barber and a mother who was an aspiring beautician. We all have seen the little black child with Caucasian or Asian parents and their hair looks a mess. You would almost think that little Blu Ivy (Beyoncé and Jay-Z's daughter) was like this. Lol. That was a low blow but we all know that baby's hair needs some serious T.L.C. African American hair care can be difficult. We live in a world where the wonders of YouTube and social networks have made it easier, but educating yourself is a great thing.
I feel that if someone is going to be that hero and help someone of another race, it's important that they educate themselves about that child's individual needs and their cultural background. Proper hair care has always been high up on my list of priorities being that I grew up in a household with a sister that's a beautician and barber and a mother who was an aspiring beautician. We all have seen the little black child with Caucasian or Asian parents and their hair looks a mess. You would almost think that little Blu Ivy (Beyoncé and Jay-Z's daughter) was like this. Lol. That was a low blow but we all know that baby's hair needs some serious T.L.C. African American hair care can be difficult. We live in a world where the wonders of YouTube and social networks have made it easier, but educating yourself is a great thing.
I find it kind of flattering that this friend chose me of all people or websites to be her guidance tool. Am I that fly? Hmmmm. Lol! On a serious note, I truly look forward to the journey and hope I can be of some good help. Love has no racial barrier... neither does a helping hand.
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