When you're reeling from the prospect of a post-Barack world #Weary

Since I moved to the US last year, I've spent a lot of time thinking about race. Not because I decided to jump on any specific bandwagon or anything, but literally because being here, it smacks you in the face. Growing up in my London bubble, I saw myself as a Londoner with Jamaican heritage. There were lots of us around and that's how it was. Of course, London isn't a complete safe, racist-free microspace, but compared to what this year and a half in the United States of America has shown me, that city is streaks ahead in Black White relations. 

This week, with the Trump election so fresh, I've felt completely overwhelmed by what feels like a very pointed hatred of Black people, Mexican people, Muslim people, LGBT+ people, in fact, everyone who seen as Other by the majority of the White electorate. Of course there were people of other backgrounds who voted for Trump, but the OVERWHELMING majority of White men (63%)  and the majority of White WOMEN (53%) still voted for someone who promises to restrict movement and freedom of people who don't look or think like them. Make America Great Again - when was it great and who was it great for? Certainly not us.

I'm so tired. Emotionally fraught and drained. Mostly I feel shocked and so sad - though most African Americans are shaking their heads at me as they read this going "really girl? How are you still surprised?"

Is this really what it feels like to be Black in America?

Thank God for Solange. 

I'm weary of the ways of the world

Be weary of the ways of the world

I'm weary of the ways of the world

I'm gonna look for my body yeah

I'll be back real soon

I'm gonna look for my body yeah

I'll be back real soon

I'm gonna look for my body yeah

I'll be back real soon

But you know that a king is only a man

With flesh and bones, he bleeds just like you do

He said "where does that leave you"

And do you belong? I do, I do

Be leery bout your place in the world

You're feeling like you're chasing the world

You're leaving not a trace in the world

But you're facing the world

I'm gonna look for my glory yeah

I'll be back real soon

I'm gonna look for my glory yeah

I'll be back real soon

I'm gonna look for my glory yeah

I'll be back real soon

But you know that a king is only a man

With flesh and bones, he bleeds just like you do

He said "where does that leave you"

And do you belong? I do, I do

image taken from Solange's digital book

With love,

Karla x

Johannesburg's Natural Beauties

Mural by Joel Bergner (and US!!), taken from his instagram - see this and more here: https://www.instagram.com/joelartista/

So last month, I spent some time in South Africa, working on the above ^^  mural outside an orphanage in a neighbourhood of Johannesburg called Berea. The work was partnered with an organization called the Sophie A Kanza Foundation, and some of the volunteers from the org were these beautiful young women who wore a mix of gorge hairstyles. I figured, why not take this opportunity of being in Africa to find out how Afro hair is treated here and why I was seeing SOOOOOO much relaxer and so many weaves in the continent our hair is from. So I spoke to them about it!

DON'T TOUCH MY HAIR

This month, I've mostly been singing this. Every time I KILL a twist out look. Every time I want to show off my curls (my hair's getting really long, you guys!). Every time I get near kids while my hair is out and kicking it, enjoying being open to the elements for once. Every time I see a rogue hand racing towards my head. 



Please.

Don't.

Thank you Solange Knowles for putting it so succinctly and so beautifully.

Don't touch my hair

When it's the feelings I wear

Don't touch my soul

When it's the rhythm I know

Don't touch my crown

They say the vision I've found

Don't touch what's there

When it's the feelings I wear

They don't understand

What it means to me

Where we chose to go

Where we've been to know

They don't understand

What it means to me

Where we chose to go

Where we've been to know

You know this hair is my shit,

rode the ride, I gave it time

But this here is mine

You know this hair is my shit,

rode the ride, I gave it time

But this here is mine

What you say, oh

What you say to me [x8]

Don't touch my pride

They say the glory's all mine

Don't test my mouth

They say the truth is my sound

They don't understand

What it means to me

Where we chose to go

Where we've…

taken from Solange's digitalbook "A Seat At The Table"

Read Solange's Digital Book here

Watch Solange's Video here

In fact, just listen to the whole damned album.

Love you,
Karla