Pictures

My husband took this picture after I got extensions (i.e. weave). This was taken one year ago. It was my first experience with having a curly weave. I was pretty sleepy and tired because it took six hours. It was done in a dormitory room by one an African female student. I had an headache for about two days after and could not handle the pain. Eventually, the hair extensions started to look bad so I took it out.




This picture was taken on my husband’s mobile at Gatwick airport. As you can see, I am wearing my natural hair.

Book Review: Mis-Education of the Negro

I do not have much time to spare today (I’m going into London and will spend time with my husband). By the way, I did write an article that focuses on the ‘dilemma’ that Ireland is experiencing (Northern/Southern), however, I do not plan on releasing it. It is my recommendation that you read about the country’s history and read the Ireland Independent. I have a sense that—most conflict is situated in history. As for my current book, here is a breakout of the final chapters for your review.

The Mis-Education of the Negro (Carter G. Woodson, 1933/00)

Chapter XII
• Good source of information about Africa
• India’s leader Mahatma Gandhi
• Material wealth and spending—how its perceived among African-American individuals (devices of security foster by false distortion of wealth—purchasing goods such as cloths, jewel, cars, etc. instead of spending frugally by reducing debt)
• Creation of criminality foster by restricted opportunities produce delinquency
• Pg. 126—Conventional wisdom relates to philosophy

Chapter XIII
• Nature of man (African-American male) obedient in nature/intellect is perceived to be of a child-undeveloped (forms of perception)
• Social discourse—state of schools and restricted access to information/denial of opportunities
• Creation of democracy/Free Society/Implication of Art within specific cultures
• Literary meaning heavily influenced by establishing a perpetuation of racism within institutions and in research (projected at the African male-inferiority)

When I read chapter XIV, I was a bit confused. It is suggested by the author that the concept of being ‘free’ was/is inalienably denied to African-Americans. In some parts of the text, he made references to other races/cultures as being ‘uplifted’ by their own devices and measures. I assumed that the author implied that the African male continued to subsume to a traditional caste of work roles (menial jobs) and ascribe to lower social classes. This could be attributed to slavery, thus is created on a pattern of learned behaviour. It is perceived as ‘low expectations’ of self but could this theory apply today with another generation? I do not know, read it yourself.

Woodson, 1933, p144

In the first place, we must bear in mind that the Negro has never been educated. He has merely been informed about other things which he has not been permitted to do. The Negroes has been shoved out of the regular schools through the rear door into the obscurity of the backyard and told to imitate others whom they see from afar, or they have been permitted in some places to come into the public schools to see how others educate themselves.

Chapter XIV
• Questionable viewpoint—There are other activists in our history (only not mentioned or ignored) Civil Rights-created by American Jews and African-Americans to change these social ills and divisions in society (of course other Caucasians as well)
• Pg. 147 ‘blind obedience’
• Pg. 151 China (missionary work)
• Pg. 152 Filipino (educated by the masses)
• Pg. 153 Myth making history (America and its forth fathers) Jose Rizal (leadership/heroism)
• Pg. 154 The importance of learning about other cultures/races

I want to share this passage with you. I agree with him. Enough said…

Woodson, 1933, p154

We do not mean to suggest here, however, that any people should ignore the record of the progress of other races. We would not advocate any such unwise course. We say, hold on to the real facts of history as they are, but complete such knowledge by studying also the history of races and nations which have been purposely ignored.

Finally, I will skip other chapters and conclude with the appendix section of the book. For me, I found this to be the most useful part of the text. Racial terms such as the word ’Negro’ or ‘black’—in referring to a culture or race is illustrated in this section where the author provided significant meanings and examples (he classifed race and appllied it to race words). I am not saying anymore but will suggest to some of you that you should stop calling yourselves that “God awful word” and you know who you are. Our older people worked hard to change the meaning of how we are defined. By using that "word" some of you show your ignorance and it is not intelligent nor cute—grow up! Oh, before I forget, click on this link to learn about Dr. Woodson and his work. Before I leave, thanks little brother for recommending the book--love you! Anyway, goodbye!