It's All About the Hair

Early in the class I had proposed a documentary about African-American hair. I had planned on talking about the different styles and really getting into media messages of Black beauty and the truth behind the Black hair business, (for example, the fact that most of the distribution is owned by Koreans).

While the concept may seem unoriginal and overdone, it is an inescapable part of Black culture. Starting from a very young age, young girls learn how to sit still in a chair for what is usually a three hour process of chemicals, heat, and styling, and this is the minimum.

Deciding not to chemically relax your hair always stirs discussion. In a recent conversation about hair with a group a girls, one girl admitted to being addicted to relaxers, having received them since about age 5. I don't remember when I received my first relaxer, but I know approximately two years ago I said no more. I said no to $65 monthly appointments, countless dollars spent on hair grease, hair lotion, and hours spent curling and frying my hair.

This is not to say that I no longer desire to be glamorous or feminine. However, I have decided that my hair should not take up so much of time and money while I am in school. This also is not to say that I believe my personal revelation will wake the entire world to embracing all size afros, locs, and braids. Thus, when I feel like conforming to the irrational standard of beauty I throw on a fabulous wig and call it a day.

I don't torture myself anymore (well maybe for an occasional hair press just to see how long my hair is), and I can change my look as much as I want. I live the natural life.

Home for the Holidays

Ok, so after I created a short list of places I would like to go over the break in the last entry, but I inevitably remained in Athens. However, I am still dreaming of other places and taking steps to turn my dreams into reality.

Yes, they are called applications, the "all you can do is try" mantra manifested into pages of essay questions and reference letters.

-The first application cost me an approximate total of $25. I had to submit my entire life through the mail. I am talking birth certificate, transcripts, proof of study abroad, recommendations, doctor's form, and a NINE page application, and everything in multiples of three. Why go through all this trouble you ask? To teach and live in Japan.

-The next application is a little more standard (application, references, transcript), and would place me in Germany taking classes and working at a company in my field.

-I am also re-applying to a program I went out for last year with the IRTS Foundation, and that would place me in New York.

-I also found an internship program in Spain... I'll probably go for that too.

These applications are a stretch, and honestly I can only hope for an interview, but I have no choice. If I am going to fly solo, I might as well do it Japan and make some people jealous.

Hark! The Holidays Approach!

The holidays are approaching, and for me that equals travel time! The only problem is that I am low on funds, and am not quite sure where to go.

-The idea of a road trip has been tossed around, however, I have not yet found ideal company.

-New York is always an option, but I would need somewhere to stay as close the city as possible, preferably for next to nothing.

-I would love to go to California.

-I have friends in Texas and Alabama, but here again, my company could make for an uncofortable situation.

The bottom line is, staying in Athens is not on the list. Well, maybe for Christmas, but seeing as how both my brother and I are adults, I usually don't get what I want or even need, and I tend to get presents after Christmas because everyone is broke, it's pretty safe to say I wouldn't be missing out.

Study Abroad Fair

The Annual Study Abroad Fair, hosted by the Office of International Education presents a myriad of options, options, and more options! Instead of adulthood, they should call it decisionhood, because as a young adult, it seems, that is what life is all about- each decision of course determining your failure or success.

As a graduating senior, I am not elegible to participate in most of the programs. However, representives from the intern abroad organization AISEC and JET program were both available and excited to talk to me.

AISEC is an organization that helps students find internships anywhere in the world, some of them paying. I had heard of the organization prior to the fair, but I thought that it was pretty much just for business and international affairs majors. Fortunately for me, this is not the case. The process is actually more like Monster.com, where you submit an application and matching employers find you. The representative told me that this happens fairly quickly, approximate two to three months.

The JET program has been around for a while, and going back to a previous blog, you teach English! JET sends English speaking young people to Japan where they work alongside a Japanese English instructor and party it up in Tokoyo. Well, the partying was not in the brochure, but I can imagine.

Timing is Everything

Very much like breaking up with your boyfriend just when your crush falls head over heels with some girl who is totally unworthy, timing can really bite you in the butt.

My personal scenario is when Grady College creates a study abroad program to Cambodia, featuring a travel writing class, that will begin right AFTER I graduate! Now I must admit that I have not tapping my pencil on the table, exhausting the Google search to find out how I can get myself to Cambodia, but it sounds 10,000 times more interesting than the terribly expensive Oxford and Cannes programs.

Spurred by this missed opportunity, I have begun to look into programs that will get me into East Asia. As I mentioned in a previous blog, I have a friend over there now who is having the time of her life, and as graduation steadily approaches I become more and more anxiety ridden of getting stuck in my "career building," without traveling out of the States once again.

"Coming to America" Movie Review

The premise: An African prince, breaking with tradition, travels to America (Queens, NY to be exact) to find his wife.

Features: Eddie Murphy, James Earl Jones, and Arsenio Hall

The movie plays on the American perception of people from Africa. More entertaining, however, than the cultural wisecracks, are the characters themselves, (most which are played by either Eddie Murphy or Arsenio Hall). For example, after the prince Akeem (Murphy) and his travelling companion (Hall) buy American clothes, they go to the neighborhood barbershop so the Akeem can get a very American jerry curl. The owner and main barber is truthful, outspoken, and loud.

Made in 1988, the movie is true to its time. Big hair, acid wash jeans, and a hot tub all add to pulling the viewer in and making them laugh. The movie has many highlights that make it a comedic classic.

Even though the storyline is simple, it does not flatline or become predictable at any time given that Akeem's persuit of the perfect woman is under the false persona of an exchange student, working in a fast food restaurant. The challenges he faces are cleverly written and thoughtfully filmed.

For example, in the scene where Akeem is trying to meet a suitable wife in the bars and clubs of New York he encounters every psychotic, emotionally draining woman imaginable. He and his companion are sitting at a table in the club, and the women change, each saying something that is completely unconventional. (One woman admits to worshiping the devil.) The scene illustrates how awckward and scary dating can be in a large city, regardless of where you are from, without saying "all New York women are crazy" throughout the scene.

What I enjoy about this movie the most, is that it is more of a commentary about American life in New York in the 80's, than an ignorant display of stereotypes.

"Somebodies" Review

The pilot episode did not leave me laughing or wanting more. In fact, most of the time my face was curled up in disdain, or looking at my Sociology reading because I saw the show when it originally aired.

The premise of the show: A not-so-young Black male in college who is trying to figure out life with his friends and family.

The show consists of Scottie (the not-so-young college student), his four friends, his ex-girlfriend (Diva), and his aunt and uncles.

Essentially, the show is supposed to be a comedy. However, I believe it goes too far along cultural lines (for example, if you have never been to a predominantly Black Baptist church) to be understood by some, and simply offensive and obnoxious to those that get what the joke is supposed to be. Additionally, the show tries to tackle serious racial issues and structural inequality, but they are presented with very little segue or forewarning, so that all of a sudden you are listening to enlightened social commentary, which is an abrupt end to anything clever or comical.

Aside from an inconsistent flow of comedy, the main character is NOT a comedic actor, or a great actor at all. His reactions to every scenario was terribly anti-climatic, (he would barely have a comment). Nor did I believe him or his friends were college students. They looked at least thirty. The only highlight in the pilot episode was meeting the aunt and uncle who own the restaurant. They actually had personalities, and were true to life.

The second episode was no more impressive than the first. Scottie branches out to get his own place, and gets quite a surprise when his "girl next door" neighbors move out and turn into "loud poor people." There were some funny moments, mainly coming from the animated male neighbor.

Overall: the show is slow pace, and I understand why it was cancelled.