BLOG RANT: Why do you blog?

Source rosellidesign.com

That is one of the questions I've met with since I started this blog in December 2010. Worst yet, at least in some people's mind, is the fact that it is about hair, health, my country...ME! 

So to aid those who still wonder. This one's for you!   :)

I blog because it gives me a voice. However small it may be among the giant oaks in the forest, it gives me an outlet where in other fora I might be silenced. Having this outlet has allowed me to share my loc chronicles. To share a small part of my life, my country, my ideas. It has kept the fire burning as I continue to loc my hair. Something I did not have the first time around. This inspires me, encourages me. It educates me. Do you know that I've taught myself how to edit HTML? Necessity is the Mother of invention!

I see blogging as more than just adding to the plethora of sites or other blogs out there. Each blogger, YTuber, web master is an INDIVIDUAL. UNIQUE. Our topics may crisscross somewhat but our experiences will not all be the same. We come from various family histories, schools, countries, socio-economic backgrounds. We cannot be the same in every single way. So people will chronicle their story.

Blogging is a free tool! It's free! 

I blog because I am a creative being with ideas that I like to see being birthed. Writing is a part of the process and so is research. Two things that I have been exposed to long before::Naturaleza::. Sadly, my career path has not been that which I have longed to do. But the researcher in me is alive. Why should it be silenced? Blogging gives me freedom, hope and yes, pride in my work. 

Blogging has allowed me to network and make acquaintances and friends with people. Who would have thought? Seeing these same people write or blog or whatever you care to call it about their day, their lives, their experiences, shows me that not all humanity is egotistical, shallow and bereft of care and emotion. When we blog, we make ourselves a little more vulnerable. Why? We open ourselves to the reader who comes by. But if in that small period of vulnerability I help 1 person, I'm happy.

Blogging has become a passion for me. Until I can find nothing left to say, for whatever reason that getup and go just gets up and leaves me, bring me my laptop...I WILL BLOG!

Loc Journal ~ To Whom it May Concern

Source madamenoire.com

Dear Sir/Madame:

I hope this letter finds you in good health, as surely I do wish the best for your and yours. It is out of a heart of change that I pen you this document. 

These times we live in have certainly changed from when you first made your product debut. Our age. This age is one characterized by the transfer of information, music, pictures, sounds and sights via super fast connectivity; in large part due to the proliferation of the Internet. We are a generation of people more in touch with what works and what will not. We are better able to make informed choices about so many issues that affect our lives, for example: Toyota vs Ford, the best areas in which to live and educate our families,  organic vs. chemically altered goods/foods, and the list can go on and on.

One such topic which is dear to my heart is the continued use of ingredients in your products which may - according to some sources - have harmful effects on its users.  Some which may trigger one set of problems or simply aggravate long-standing health issues. 

Specifically, I speak of liquid soaps, shampoos, conditioners, hair sprays and moisturizers which often contain such substances as - sulfates, parabens, phthalates, petrolatum, triclosan.

I've always asked why if company Q can find the resources to put into research, product marketing and the like; and, goes on to produce a quality product which makes a profit for them and keeps people safe; why then can't company L? And, in many instances, the companies which continue to use harmful substances are earning millions annually in sales.

A second source of concern is the use of the word natural especially on the labels of haircare products. True, you have natural ingredients sometimes in your products. Things likes nettle extract, sometimes jojoba oil, safflower oil and the list might be extensive. But, that is where the naturalness stops. Please, desist from false advertising. Don't use just traces of natural things just to have people buy your product. I know this is easier said than done. 

But, there is a bright spark on the horizon. The standard has been raised. There are companies whose motto and vision statement speak clearly to a view of maintaining a healthy lifestyle through the use of their products.  Sadly, sometimes cost is a factor. And other times, many of these products are not sold in countries outside of North America or Europe and consumers must resort to using the product they are so desperately trying to stay away from. It is a sad cycle.

Retailers and buyers for beauty supply stores, we need you to source and purchase healthier products for your clientele. If that was an option, more people would see a new approach to caring for their hair, skin and body.  It is doubtful that you will educate the public about many of the things that go into these products because if we knew, then that would lead to a drop in your bottom line. Get what I'm saying?

To you, the consumer I say: Let's plod on! Let's try to avoid such products wherever possible. I know it might be a task but if we can find the money to put toward buying something that is organic and natural for our bodies, that is something special we've done for ourselves and for our children. There are women and men who, in their own way, are leaving greener footprints on this earth. Bit by bit, we will make it!

Best regards,

These are my confessions...

This post is similar to a thread I participated in on the site of one of my favourite resource naturalistas, Natural Review by L.

Keep the chain going! 

What are your confessions? 

Post yours here, too!

Here goes:

1) I think sometimes that I should have started my locs with comb coils instead of two-strand twists.

2) My hair oil spray has in mineral oil (Shhhh!!)

3) Cannot wait to put some Indigo (Black Henna) on my locs and then tip-dye a few in Rihanna red!

4) I make no apologies to anyone for being naturally me

5) I have hand-in-hair-itis

6) Sometimes (not very often), I have loc envy. 

7) I wish I could buy and try all the Oyin, Carol’s Daughter and Shea Moisture products I want on my hair. (Do I hear you say budding product junkie?)  

8) I love to see a brotha with nice, clean locs!

9) I love to talk about hair so much my friends probably think I'm obsessed 

10) I love to feel and roll between my fingers the little balls formed on the ends of hair. Do you know what else? I love to pop them off!

Loc Journal ~ Dread rant

I wish they would seal!

Nov 2 2010 - 'BC' and locs installed

And, now...

That's right! When will they be firm? True, everyone says they are growing and looking lovely. Thanks, guys and gals! But the fuzziness, the puffiness, the occasional dryness and lack of shine. These things are really on my mind, more like my nerves. Recently, I have been wondering if I should have started my locs using the comb coils method. Not with two-strand twists. 

The road to beautiful, healthy locs takes patience. I remind myself.

P. A. T. I. E. N. C. E. 

And, yes, along the way frustration might set in. Forbearance wears thin. I mean, I'm still not accustomed to handling my hair...MY NATURAL HAIR.  This journey is still new for me. It's been less than a year since doing my 'BC' and having locked my hair.

Then, another issue for me is finding the right shampoo and conditioner to use. And, if that was not enough...the infamous question: How often should I let my locs go without a wash? A re-loc? 4 weeks? 7? 8?

Change takes discipline. Requires fortitude, perseverance.

Hmmm...what does a loc'd sista do?

She's going to see it thru! 

*Photo 1 taken 11/02/2010
*Photos 2 - 6 taken 4/21/2011

*Photo 7 taken 4/08/2011