Monday, July 30, 2007

Guess who I met in Maryland?

I will blog about the entire DC trip before the week is up, but I didn't want to go too long without sharing that I got a visit to the hotel the night before we departed from two LHBE blogger sistahs in the DC area. Ms. Ayankha and Ms. Sunsail! I called Sunsail and she called Ayankha and we then made plans to meet up. It was such a blessing to finally meet them. Next time I'll have to meet the rest of the DC/MD ladies.

You know the first thing we did after hugging each other was to dig in each other's hair! You would have thought it was a high school, college, sorority reunion. We all have different hair textures and are in different stages of our lock journey, so it was very special to have some of the girls on the trip see Sisterlocks up close on someone else's head other than mine. I got plenty of flack from them about nappy hair being ugly so most weren't feeling my locks. As I've stated before, Waco is braid, weave, perm city.

When they saw the three of us together, they were mesmerized with what they saw. The ladies were a delight. We talked about blogging, school, our hair, their SOs and other random topics. Next time Ayankha and Sunsail, I'll have to make a trip where I have the freedom to get out and about so ya'll can show me the town. Ya'll know you need to go ahead and have a natural hair gathering ASAP! But for now, I'm happy for the fellowship we shared.

These kids, boys and girls a like were super exposed to the world of real natural hair and locs. Most all boys and girls alike were encurlturated (my made up word) on the difference between traditional locs, loc extensions, Sisterlocks, freeformed locks, twists, etc. I had my Sisterlock journals passing them around as well as the No Lye book, by Tulani Kinard. The biggest immersion they experienced was Sunday afternoon in Hanover, MD at the BLVD., for those of you who know where that shopping strip is. Now ya'll know black folks on a Sunday afternoon...Church goers too tired to or desiring not to cook piled into Golden Coral. And I tell you it was locks, locs, locz galore. From men, to women, in all shapes and sized. They kept saying, "Miss Evans, what are those? Are those Tradional, Sisterlocks? Freeform? His locs are sexy (referring to a brother who's traditionals were tight)." It's like over time, they softened up about the idea of wearing natural hair. There were lots of younger brothers with locks to and past their shoulders. Now there were some folks who had their locks pretty unkept (mostly men). But it was their total package that displayed such a site. Most everyone else had their locs in check. I had to remind the kids that for every kind of hair style, you have some jacked up looks, perms, naturals, whatever.

The big question was, "If you don't want it anymore, you have to cut it off, right?" I kept telling them that if they had a perm and decided they didn't want a perm anymore, they'd simply cut the perm off, with regard to those of us who lock. That seemed to shut them up. When it rained or they went swimming, it took a toll on lots of the girls' hair. I kept smiling and reminding them that benefits to having locked hair was freedom from "wet hair" drama.

I'm just glad they were exposed. Mind you, you can count on both hands the number of locked folks in Waco, Tx. So this was a big for many of them. One thing I did learn was that it will take more information, self-love and positive expression naturally to turn the titanic mentality around with all generations.

17 comments:

muslimahlocs said...

wow. i hope i get to meet some of the sisters that i blog with one day soon as well. you all look fabulous. hopefully, the impression that you made on the kids will be longlasting and transformative for them.

ayankha said...

Good Post! I had a great time chatting with you and Sunsail, and definitely those intriguing youngins. I am just glad that they have you as a very positive mentor to teach them that loving themselves is okay.

Mel said...

Too cool; you three look awesome!

N'Drea ~ the Storyteller said...

I agree with Mel. Really nice. Isn't it great when you can finally meet the other SL'd sistas in person?

Goodnapps said...

A group of locked sistas is always a powerful statement. You all are so gorgeous. Those kiddies couldn't help but be mesmerized.

That's so awesome they got even more of an education than what they bargained for.

brunsli said...

Oh how fun. :)

I've enjoyed reading about your North American Tour!

Jena Evans said...

Glad you had a good time and got to meet Sunsail and Ayankha...

Creyole said...

Wow! What a wonderful Sisterhood we have, you all look so nice! I've got to catch up on my blog reading...

Maryee said...

Hey ladies,

Thanks for droppin' by. I always look forward to meeting my blog community friends. Also, I have PASSPORT-will travel-(hint to Mel and n'Drea) ;-)

Shanessence said...

Wonderful post...and thanks for working to help educate young minds about natural hair! I love your blog.

Maryee said...

Shanessence,

Thanks for your kind comments. I think the more we share (especially in outlets such as blogging), the more we educate that black folks can wear their natural hair, no matter the age or gender or style. Wishing you well on your dissertation. Take care!!

KnottyAuthor said...

ahhhh, how cool!!!!! i wish i were there. i used to live in Bmo' then Hyattsville and work in Silversprings in my permie days-hey, you HAD to have a perm in Bmore in the 90's to do all those fierce plastered up'do's!!!!lol!!!

Maryee said...

Cheleski68,

I'd really like to had back to MD, but spend more time hanging out. You have to show some of those 90's photos in your blog/album. :-)

Abena Abena said...

I really like your new profile photo. Also, it is great to meet Sisterlocked Sistah's face-to-face :)

Brandy Colbert said...

look at all of that gorgeous hair! this is such a great picture and you ladies all look beautiful. :)

Aya said...

Fab picture of the three of you. So glad you were able to connect and expose your students to differen nautural hair care choices.

Maryee said...

Hey CV, Roxy, and Aya,

Thanks for the sweet comments on our group picture. These ladies are lovely inside and out!!!! It's always a blessing to meet up with our online friends! Looking forward to meeting up with ya'll as well when I'm in the area. Blessings...