A Poem & Reflection

Blind Eyes

One foot placed in front of another, short steps are aided by another.
Enablers holds the hands of the blind, guiding and leading.
Enablers whispers in the ears of the blind, suggesting and commanding.
Enablers disables the blind one's mind.

The blind, who can't see pass his own adversities.
The blind, who can't see pass how far society allows him to go.
The blind, who can only imagine what it would be like to see.

To see the colors black or white, and not know the difference.
To see poverty or wealth, and not judge based on appearance.
To see every person for who they are.

One foot placed in front of another, short steps are aided by another.
Enablers holds the hands of the blind, crippling one's dreams to see.

Reflections

"The blind" is someone with a disability to see pass society's expectations. There are people, who live in poverty and they are satisfied emotionally, mentally and physically. You can turn on the news today and learn about the countless unhappy and troubled celebrities in the world. Wealth and material possessions are not a measurement of happiness. Self-actualization is a measurement of happiness.

There are so many young people who have the potential to be great leaders and thinkers. But they can't see pass what society portrays in the media, nationally and locally. "Enablers" are individuals who actively directs "the blind" with guidance. Enablers don't have any motives to hinder an individual yet they affect "the blind" from reaching their full potential.

I encourage you to see yourself through your own eyes.

To and Fro'

To and Fro' is about my on and off again natural hair journey.

Being natural meant that I was embracing my identity as an African American woman. In 2007, I was studying undergrad at the University of Central Florida taking courses on African American Studies and Feminism. My new found knowledge led to taking the big chop - cutting all my perm hair and going natural. Throughout high school, the only concept of slavery I learned was a white and black concept. It wasn't until I was in a African American Studies college course that I learned that African tribes were selling each other into slavery. I was angry and shocked. My poetry reflected the feelings I was going through at that time.

Excerpt from my poem titled "Jihadist":

"No longer do I wear the veil
or the invisible cloak.
The shadow of double consciousness
doesn’t accompany me. I uprooted myself,
tended to the fields, and planted seeds in afrocentricity."

I am somewhat of a feminist. Feminism was another reason why I decided to go natural. Bell Hooks is my favorite feminist. I was actually trying to join a sorority in search of sisterhood and unity. However, I learned that I didn't need to join any group in order to support other women. Besides the whole application process was a competition among applicants.

In Feminist Theories Hooks' states "When women come together, rather than pretend union, we would acknowledge that we are divided and must develop strategies to overcome fears, prejudices, resentments and competitiveness."
I was natural for a year before I decided to get a perm again. I had my hair stylist comb out my afro' and I didn't like what I saw in the mirror! My afro' was as tall as Don King's afro'. Not to mention I didn't comb my afro' that first year at all. (Don't judge me!) By this time, hair was just hair.

October 2010, I decided to go natural again. This time around, I combed my hair and actually styled it too. I've educated myself via YouTube videos on natural hair styles. I actively ask women, who are natural for advice on products and hair styles. Sometimes I think about going back to perms. Then I think about all the compliments I get on my afro'. I feel good when I see another African American woman with natural hair. She's embracing her identity.

This weekend, an African American man asked me how long I've been natural. I informed him this was my second time and second year being natural. He responded, "I wish more women would do that."

Me too.