Earlier this week, Ayva told me she wished she had “gold hair like Ashley’s”. Now, being the Soul Sister Mama that I am, I let her know that her hair is beautiful, just like her friend’s, with the added benefit of being able to be braided, twisted, curled, straightened, or left alone to be gorgeous all on its own. Raising a little Black girl, I knew these types of things would come up. Heck, raising a little girl of any color, I’m sure these things come up. Insecurities, wanting to be like everyone else,the desire to fit it, these are the things that we deal with when we are the caregivers for little women.
That’s why the timing of this Black Girls Are Magic tee-shirt is absolutely perfect. My friend Cashawn started this campaign after finally finding the word to describe what she had been witnessing her entire life. Magic. The magic of being a Black Girl. The magic of being a Black Woman. The feelings, the energy, the thing that takes our breath away.
So, back to the gold hair thing. I told Ayva that we just needed to rub a little coconut oil on her hair and it would shine, too. I did that, brushed and braided her hair, added some barrettes, a ribbon, and when Ayva walked into school the next day…Black Girl Magic. 🙂 And then today, the shirt arrived as if to bring my point home. Perfect timing…or magic?
Synthia Winnie
Monday 13th of April 2015
Thank you for your post. Our 5 year old often tells me she doesn't like the color of her skin and she doesn't like her hair. We reinforce that she's beautiful just as God made her. Going to make her that shirt!
brandijeter
Tuesday 14th of April 2015
Aww! She IS beautiful, and it's our job to let our girls know! <3
Jessica F. Hinton
Wednesday 23rd of April 2014
Yes!! I love this! She is magic!
Brandi Riley
Friday 28th of March 2014
Oh my goodness, @Shasta, that is so true! They ALWAYS want what they don't have. I can admit, I was like that, too. I was well into my twenties before I finally realized that everything about me is good enough!
The Maven
Monday 10th of March 2014
You are raising her right!!
BrandiJeter
Tuesday 11th of March 2014
Thank you so much, @The_Maven:disqus!
Jessica @EatSleepBe
Monday 10th of March 2014
She just keeps getting more adorable! Did you see the speech that Lupita Nyong'o gave on beauty? If not, watch this. It's both haunting and beautiful. Oscar Winner Lupita Nyong'o's Speech On Beauty That Left An Entire Audience Speechless
Jessica @EatSleepBe
Monday 10th of March 2014
Looks like the link didn't work when I copied. Here it is again: http://www.upworthy.com/oscar-winner-lupita-nyongos-speech-on-beauty-that-left-an-entire-audience-speechless