CheapThrills

The twists that shocked the nation

Came across this Black hair article a few days ago in the New York Times—you know, discussing good hair, bad hair, wearing hair natural vs. relaxing it chemically. This seems to be a hot topic since Malia Obama’s been wearing her hair in… get ready for it… twists! Shocking! God, it’s like the general public has never been exposed to a normal Black girl wearing normal Black hairstyles. Wonder why?

I work at an ad agency… but I can safely point the finger at advertising for really messing up perceptions of what “normal” hair looks like. Even “normal” Black hair.

Growing up, I never believed I had nice hair. Because my hair never looked like the girls in the Pantene ads. Even after a whole day of washing and blow-drying my hair “straight,” it was still poofy as ever. It didn’t shine and bounce and flow over my shoulders. Even after I convinced my mom to buy a whole bunch of Pantene, it still didn’t look right. On the contrary, the products made my hair brittle and dry.

Thanks a lot, Pantene.

The problem is, we NEVER see normal Black hairstyles in hair product advertising. Even when there’s a woman of color in the ad. It’s mind-boggling. Like this Pantene Relaxed and Natural ad? Most Black women don’t have REAL hair like either one of these chicks. In fact, it’s really hard for me to believe that this is real hair. Those curls are virtually unachievable without hours at the salon. And the straight ‘do looks like a weave. I’m pretty sure it is one.

Give me some real hairstyles and real hair. Whether it’s relaxed, natural, short, long, whatever. Maybe that way the country won’t get all in a tizzy over some damn twists. Geez.

Takin' it up a few inches

Over the weekend, I went to see my kick-ass hairstylist at G20 Salon, Jessie Lockward. She's the only stylist I've ever had who knows how to make my natural (non-relaxed) hair look perfect. From the highlights to the flawless flat iron finishes, Jessie works wonders. I don't know what I'm going to do without her (SIDENOTE: If anyone knows of a bomb hairstylist in Chicago, let me know!! Cuz right now I'm debating flying back to Boston every few months to see my girl).

But this visit, I took Jessie's services to the next level. In the ultimate Cosmo "New City! New You!" move, I asked Jessie to chop off about 5 inches of my long locks. Mind you, besides the regular trims, I haven't really CUT my hair in oh, I don't know, let's say, 15 years. I harbor an irrational fear (common to many women of color I know) that my hair won't EVER grow back... and then I'll look at pictures from my childhood and think to myself "Grandmommy was right! I never shoulda cut off all that hair!" But we brainstormed the perfect cut for my face - an assymetrical bob that's short in the back and long in the front - and I went for it. Now my hair feels so bouncy and healthy. I think Grandmommy would approve.

Jessie assured me that the cut will allow my hair to grow back stronger and healthier. And I totally believe her.

The most frightening TV spot ever created

The lean at the end seals the deal.

Bye bye Boston

It’s the weirdest thing ever. I’m moving. To Illinois.

Well actually, Chicago, which I didn’t think really counted as the Midwest until I saw road signs for Indiana and Milwaukee. Tripped me out.

But I digress.

I moved to Boston in 2001 as a freshman at Boston University. My first day of classes was an exciting and wonderful one.

And my second day was Tuesday, September 11th 2001.

I suddenly felt so far away from everyone important to me, and so isolated.

Anyone who has been reading this blog knows that I’ve had qualms with the racial landscape of this city. I’ve always felt a deep divide between the races, one that’s hard for a mixed girl like me to reconcile. I’ve tried to quell my frustration, but it’s always been there – from the day a white Jewish friend from Philly visited me at BU and asked “Where are all the freakin' Black people in this city??” to just a couple months ago, after I returned from my first trip to Chicago (where I spotted numerous people of color downtown sipping martinis and cokes at fine restaurants... gasp!) and found Boston just as segregated as I left it.

But now that I’m leaving, I’m going to forgive Boston for all that. Because there are so many wonderful things about this city that have shaped my life here:

The seafood.

The proximity to Philly, and Philly’s seafood (a dozen Maryland blue crabs? Yes please!),

cheesesteaks (that's a bride at Pat's Steaks. At 3 a.m.),

and people.

The foliage.

The sports. Or rather, the beer at the games… because, as you can see by my total lack of attention to what's actually happening in the game, I don’t give a crap about the Red Sox. Which I can say out loud without getting clocked now that I’m moving.

Saint Patrick’s Day. I’m not Irish at all, but I REALLY dig bag pipes. There’s something so urban about them.

The shenanigans.
      

But most importantly:

This face. These eyelashes. This man. He's meant and means more to me than I can even say.

_______________

The month of August will be my last month here in Boston. And I really want to celebrate the city, along with the people who have had a positive influence on my past 8 years.

Plus! There’s still so much I haven’t done here. I’ve never been to Martha’s Vinyard. I’ve never seen the art at the ICA. I’ve never taken a duck tour or been on a whale watch. I’ve never taken one of those Freedom Trail tours with a colonial person. And probably a whole bunch of other crap that I should have done by now.

So I’ll try and fit in as much as I can. And if you’re from the Boston area, suggestions welcome!

As far as this blog goes… obvs it has been in a transitional period for awhile now. So with the move, I’m thinking of taking a different angle. Something about adventures in a new city (inspired by my Jesse Jackson run-in, naturally). Maybe I’ll think up some alter ego like Beyonce/Sasha Fierce, see what happens, and document my findings here on CheapThrills... who knows?!

The future’s an exciting place to be.

 
(As you can see, I'm still pretty tickled by Chicago's beachfront)