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Going Natural May NOT Be the Key to Helping Your Daughter Embrace Her Natural Hair

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by Kirleen Neely PhD, LPC-S of http://www.richardsoncounseling.com/ 

In recent years natural hair moms have begun to unapologetically enter PTA meetings, playgrounds, and mommy groups rocking their curls. Many of them made a conscious decision to “go natural” as a way to teach their daughters self-acceptance and also help them learn how to navigate their kinky coils.

One significant off spring of their choice to “go natural” is for the first time in decades many little Black girls have grown up knowing that wearing their hair natural is an option. They have gone to weddings where the bride strolls down the aisle with kinky curls, had teachers who proudly rock a fierce twist out, and seen their moms do the big chop. Undoubtedly, in the last decade little girls have been exposed to a higher percentage of diverse hair images than in years prior.

However, despite the revolution many moms are still dealing with their daughters feeling like their natural hair is ugly. Moms continue to field the age old questions about “why can’t my hair be straight and long?”. The questions seem to reach crescendo level as girls enter junior high and the pressure to fit in becomes more important. The perception that natural hair is difficult, complicated, and not attractive is still part of their mindset.

Moms are now asking, “Was going natural to help my daughter embrace her hair a waste of time?” Working as a psychotherapist for fifteen plus years and being the author of a natural hair children’s book has given me the opportunity to hear their frustration and disappointment firsthand.

The seemingly obvious reason that “going natural” didn’t have the impact that moms thought it would is because for every diverse beauty image a child sees, they have probably seen thousands more that are monolithic and Eurocentric in appearance. Exposure to diverse images is very important component, but may not be enough.

In my opinion one missing factor is the lack of connection between the positive images of natural hair and the historical message. Mom’s expose their girls to positive natural hair images and expect them to make the connection of self-acceptance solely based on the image. Kids are intelligent and may need to understand the WHY behind the image.

One of the major reasons the message does not get discussed is the complicated nature of the message. After all, how do you explain to a child the painful truth behind today’s dominate beauty standard for Black hair and it’s close ties to slavery and the ugly separation of Black people based on hair texture and skin color.

I do believe there is a child friendly, age appropriate, way to discuss these difficult subjects. I further think that negating the rich complicated history from the narrative does our children a disservice. Of course, what you tell a five year old will be different than what you tell a 15 year old, but the inclusion of the WHY behind the message is important. I am hopeful that once girls understand the history behind positive natural hair images they will be more invested in keeping the natural hair movement alive.

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Dr. Neely is a licensed professional counselor and has worked in the mental health field for over twenty years. She holds a PhD in counselor education and supervision from St. Mary’s University, in San Antonio, Texas. She has served as the chief executive officer of Richardson Counseling Services since 2001. The center provides counseling services with a focus on self-esteem empowerment. In 2010 Dr. Neely conducted an extensive qualitative research study exploring how dominate beauty standards impact African American women’s perceptions about their hair and hair loss. The study’s findings lead her to publish a natural hair children’s book titled “Straight Talk”. The book empowers children to love their natural hair and gives them a natural hair history lesson at the same time. Dr. Neely frequently appears as a guest expert on radio, television, and at conferences. Some of her recent appearance include, The National Black Child Development Conference, Sirius XM’s The Maggie Linton show, and Natural Hair Texas conference. Dr. Neely is supported by her husband and two beautiful daughters. She can be contacted at www.richardsoncounseling.com

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G-Eazy Re-surges With Remix Of Viral Hit “Lady Killers III”

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Yesterday marked the release of G-Eazy‘s Lady Killers III. A fresh rendition of his explosive viral hit originally dropped in 2012. The recent success of the remix underscores the timeless appeal of G-Eazy’s music and his ability to resonate with audiences across different generations. Teaming up with veteran producers MD$, Tane, and music artist Goody Grace, along with his long-time collaborator Christoph Andersson, G-Eazy breathes new life into the beloved track. This remix comes amidst a surge in the song’s popularity, reaching impressive positions on various charts and platforms. G-Eazy spoke on the remix:

It feels like there’s a big wave of nostalgia going on right now, and I wanted to tap into that.

In addition to the remix, G-Eazy recently unveiled his latest single Femme Fatale, featuring Coi Leray and Kaliii. This release marks his return to the music scene after a year-long hiatus, showcasing his diverse musical influences and artistic evolution. With an impressive track record of platinum-certified albums and chart-topping singles, G-Eazy continues to solidify his position as a multi-faceted artist and influential figure in the music industry. Experience the revitalized energy of “Lady Killers III” by listening to the track here and watching the visualizer below. Don’t miss out on G-Eazy’s latest musical endeavors that promise to captivate audiences and ignite a new wave of appreciation for his artistry.

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@MoneybaggYo’s “Speak Now” Album Ignites Anticipation

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Prepare for a sonic revolution as Moneybagg Yo, the revered Memphis native, announces the release date for his highly anticipated album, Speak Now. Set to drop on May 24th this album marks Bagg’s eleventh solo project, following the monumental success of his previous albums. With a fusion of street sensibilities and modern trap influences, Bagg’s music resonates with audiences worldwide, solidifying his position as a rap titan. Moneybagg Yo shares:

‘Speak Now’ represents a new chapter in my journey as an artist. It’s a testament to my growth and evolution, both as a musician and as a person. I poured my heart and soul into this album, and I can’t wait for my fans to experience it.

Hip Hop Weekly hailed Moneybagg Yo as:

A versatile voice in hip-hop, blending authenticity with innovation to create music that transcends genres.

Collaboration has been instrumental in shaping the sound and style of “Speak Now,” with Moneybagg Yo joining forces with a diverse array of artists and producers. From his chart-topping collaborations with Future, Lil Durk, and Polo G to his solo hits like Wockesha and Time Today, Moneybagg Yo’s music is a testament to the power of collaboration. As the release date approaches, anticipation mounts for the unveiling of “Speak Now” and the opportunity to witness Bagg’s unparalleled talent in action. Stay tuned for the release of the album and join Moneybagg Yo’s musical journey by following him on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. Watch the official video to Bussin featuring Rob49 below.

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Mobby Rosas – “Up To Sum” f/ Westside Boogie (Video) + “The 4th Step” (Album)

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The track “up to sum” is one of my favorite stories of how a collaboration came about. WESTSIDE BOOGIE had posted an open verse challenge for his song “Mood” on instagram and I picked it up. I’ve done a few open verse challenges before, to no favorable outcome other than just posting more content. I didn’t think much would come of this verse entry. I recorded my video audition for the song while at work, I was a server at a hotel restaurant in downtown LA, in uniform and all. I posted it and tagged WS Boogie and to my surprise, he DM’d me saying that he thought my verse was hard and if I ever wanted him on a project, he was down. I remember reading the message at work and being in shock. I had wanted to work with WS Boogie for years and had even tried to reach out in the past, to no response. I immediately hopped on the opportunity to.
https://open.spotify.com/album/0pzXb8U4YlzfMyDWJmBfHS

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