Alwayne Allen is my name (hence Double A, Eureka!)
I think alotta things, and I like to write them down and share.
Feel free to share too. Politics, Sports, People, Religion; you think it, at some point I'll write about it. I think I'm pretty funny, snarky, sarcastic, the works.
You know you like my blog already.
It's been a while since I've waxed religious on this blog (Yes, I said waxed--sue me), and I feel it's my duty to share these little nuggets, every now and then... You know, 'cause Jesus says I should :)
This one came to me from an unexpected source, and my best friend Carl had a similar encounter, but it's always that much more real, when you experience it for yourself. I hope the message will reach home.
God uses some really simple ways sometimes to drive home some big points, and sometimes, if you're not paying attention, you'll miss it.
Now, I'm sure you notice that train ticket to the side. By itself, it's just blah... meaningless. But as of today, Thursday, September 26 2013, it represents a whole lot more to me.
Last week, my family and I took the train to visit a relative of ours. Before getting on the train, we had to buy tickets. Due to how this system is very structured and orderly, unlike a certain disorganized and chamba-chamba country *ahem* Jamaica, the train comes and goes on a schedule, and pretty much waits for no one. We had made it to the station just in the nick of time to get our tickets and get on the train. While on the train, an attendant is supposed to come around and verify everyone's ticket or easy cards to ensure that everyone paid. On the way to visit our relative, this did not happen. Two days later we were heading home, and I said that it made no sense to buy tickets because no one was going to check. Well, my sweet, law abiding parents bought the tickets anyway, and sure enough--NOBODY checked!
Today (26/9/13), I was taking the train on my own, and the saaame thought came to my head. "Why bother buy a ticket if no one is going to check?" But, my parents' law abiding-ness apparently is hereditary so I bought my ticket... What do you think happened this time?
Of COURSE! There he was, dressed in a khaki suit with a black stripe on the pants and the Tri-Rail symbol mounted on his shoulder, looking all police-like with a scanner in his hand. "May I see your ticket please?" asked the gentleman, to which I obliged.
Some hours later after a fun evening, with my lesson learned, I searched desperately for my ticket (it was round trip) while on my way back to the train station. After coming up empty from both pockets I was mightily relieved to find it tucked away safely in my wallet. On the way back, as you would imagine, tickets were checked again; who'd a thunk it? Not me. Good thing I was prepared.
Yup, good thing I was prepared. And you know, a bright smile came upon my face as I sent the following text message to my friend Carl:
"Such is the kingdom of heaven. You can be ready all your life, and then you seh "Chuh! God naa come"; and then you do all kinda fawt--next thing you drop out (die) and you have a one way ticket to hell..."
The message is simple. Life is too uncertain for us not to have our houses in order. We need to make sure our lives are in accordance with the will of God, or else, when the Ultimate Ticket Checker of Life comes, we will be found wanting, and will suffer the eternal consequence. Jesus is your ticket to Heaven.
The gospel train is a'comin'! And you best believe it won't be long. When you get on board, will you have your ticket? I definitely will.
Today (Friday, September 13, 2013),
I leave the country of my birth to live in another land.
(I know I know, Friday the 13th, boohoo! I'm soooo scared *rolls eyes*) N.B. This was published in the Jamaica Observer on Wednesday, September 11, 2013. You can view that highly edited version here ----> HIGHLY EDITED VERSION
For the original, continue reading.
I take with me, my
skills, talents, knowledge and experience(s), as I prepare to expand and use
them in the land for which I am bound. As most of you read this, I have already
arrived at my new destination. Why did I leave you may ask? I'll tell you.
Jamaica needs hope; hope that seems to be on the brink of extinction. Hope that
surely will not be forthcoming from our leaders--CERTAINLY not this generation
anyway. As we speak, the leadership in the opposition Jamaica Labour Party will
potentially be up for grabs, and should it change to the potential contender, I
don't know if that would make any positive difference.
Photo from thepolitricks.com
You may ask; is the
political system in my new found land perfect? No. Are the societal flaws too?
Of course. But, at this point in my young life, those seem a lot more bearable.
Then, there are the job and educational situations. Jamaica does not appreciate
its pupils as it ought, and it's a crying shame for students leaving secondary
schools with 10 distinctions who get stuck because they came from poor families
who cannot afford to send them further. For those who do go further and excel
in university, they are unable to get jobs because they cannot acquire capital
to create new businesses, and employers are hiring only their friends and
persons who are experienced (i.e. old, needing to retire), all while looking
over their shoulders to see if the Student's Loan Bureau will publish them in
the island-wide wall of shame for nonpayment of their loans.
Those who are
trained and qualified watch while we import workers from Asia, Europe and
everywhere not named Jamaica, leaving them to twiddle their thumbs while leaders
in those countries ensure to cater to their own first. As a resident of my new
home, the scope for opportunity is much larger, both geographically and quantitatively.
Goat Islands - Photo Courtesy of the Jamaica Observer
Jamaica can be oppressive, in a sense where the system seems to be set to fail,
especially the poor and middle class. That way the rich get richer, and the
poor continue to struggle and look to an uncaring government for help and
handouts. Our society is supposed to be democratic, but our governments, past
and present love to act first and deal with the consequences later. Face it, no
matter what the populous says, the outcome of the Goat Islands conversation as
the potential spot to house the Logistics Hub will be decided by (and probably
is already decided) by the Cabinet’s decision, with little to no thought
towards the people’s and environmentalist alarms. As we’ve come to learn, nobody's
voice is heard, unless there's blocking of roads, brutal murder or an anomaly
occurs that draws media attention. It is really sad.
I go to a society, where you can literally "tun yuh han' and mek
fashion" with just about anything, not only clothing; one where you can
work in sanitation and custodial services and hold your head high and be proud
of your honest living and still be comfortable enough, as opposed to Jamaica
where upturned nostrils and empty pockets are the most common sights for these
persons, who look forward to Christmas time where they leave little envelopes
hoping for a little serendipity. I go to a society, where, though imperfect,
the justice system works, and quickly at that. A society, where corrupt persons
are caught daily and prosecuted; a society where much care and financial
support are given to the educational system; one where there already exists
designated school buses, where there isn’t a daily squabble between commuters
and public passenger vehicle operators over correct fares, and where state
owned buses don’t spew you with toxic, noxious fumes every time they move from
a halt.
Courtesy of translationdirectory.com
Courtesy of the Jamaica Gleaner
Trading
<---- this for this --->
It is a society where, save for the occasional instance where skin
colour matters, there is truly equal opportunity for ALL.
I
go, to improve myself, and my standard of living for a happier life. But, I
will not—CANNOT—forget my sweet Jamaica. No matter the trials and tribulations,
'nuh weh no betta dan yaad'. I'll send remittances, and admonish persons to
visit. I won't turn my back on my home. I'll keep tabs on my island in the sun
and continue to engage in debate and conversation with fellow locals on ways to
improve life here, because, who knows, maybe like the in the movie 'Terminator',
"I'll be back."
Its been a LONG while since I've posted anything. I don't know why. Must be because I've been busy; I've been writing to the newspapers a bit, so much so it seems I've forgotten about my little spot here :(
I'm sorry spot, Daddy's here again. Hush yaaw baby, don't cry, I'm here to write on you again.
Let me FINALLY post this entry that I've been writing since the 2nd week in June. #Don'tJudgeMe
I'm pretty sure from the topic, you can immediately start to make comparisons between Christianity and Customer Service. But juuuuuust in case you can't, I'm sure this post will give you a little jolt and bring it to light. (Awesome metaphor there nuh true? "Jolt" and "light"... See what I did there? :D )
Anywhoooo... Now to my story. Of course. You know there's always a story :)
At my current place of employment, I'm in the Communication and Customer Service department. A part of my duties is to relieve the receptionist daily for an hour so she can get her lunch. While in university, I was a receptionist on the male dorm for about a year or thereabout, so I kinda had a little experience before hand. But bwoooy, there and here is a WHOLE different cup of tea!
Working on dorm was like a nice cup of Barsley, while this place at times can be like the most bitter of all bitter cerasse tea! (Yuh did know seh a suh it spell? I thought it was "cerci" :s )
All things considered, throughout every situation, I try to maintain the most positive and cheerful attitude, no matter what happens, or no matter who or if my boss ALWAYS bothers/annoys/upsets me.
This is a pretty accurate depiction of our interaction :/
On Wednesday, June 12, 2013, I was doing my usual hourly receptionist duty when a gentleman and a lad (who I think was his son) came to the booth. As usual, in my very polite and cordial way I addressed him and asked how I could be of service. Straight off the bat he seemed very brash. He was one of those high coloured Jamaicans, the ones you expect to own hotels, factories and such, whose voices always surprise you just a little bit when you realize they're actually from JA. He came to see one of the General Managers to have some fees waived for his business. I called that GM's extension but it went to voicemail. I called his secretary and I was advised that the GM was on lunch. I informed the gentleman of this, and he in turn informed me in quite a matter-of-factly manner that he was coming all the way from St. Ann and had already spoken to the GM and needed to see him. It was about 12:40pm and he further insisted that he wasn't about to stand around and wait for the GM to come back at 2:30 when he needed to return to the country. Throughout all this, the young lad just looked on grinning sheepishly like I was some sorta rat being cornered by a huge cat, as his father (I'm just assuming) continued to aggressively seek that for which he came. He pressed on, "Suh is only one manager? I can't talk to someone else?" all the while sounding quite annoyed at what seemed like an impending exercise in futility. I said I would try the Managing Director. I was informed that he was in a meeting and was unavailable. I informed the man, and he was not pleased. However, he was adamant that he had to talk to somebody, and he wasn't leaving until he did. I called the GM's secretary again, who advised that the gentleman could choose to wait until the GM's return. It was at this point, he started to make small talk, where I realized he seemed to just be mischievous, and not so brash after all. I told him that he could wait in the lobby, to which he said, "Why can't I wait upstairs? I want to go upstairs and wait. And I want a room with dancing girls." Yes. He really said this. Nuh kno wah do him *shrug*
At the dancing girls utterance, the lad, which once and for all I'll assume IS HIS SON, had the biggest Cheshire cat grin and I couldn't help but smile too. I told him we didn't have any dancing girls, but I could ask if he'd be allowed to wait upstairs. While making the inquiry on his behalf he said that I must be from the country, because I was very courteous and gave him good customer service. When I informed him that I had lived in Portland for sometime, he nodded and said "yeah man, mi know seh a country yuh come from!" Shortly afterwards he said he would go on the road and return and at the same time the rightful receptionist returned, and I promised him that she would take good care of him and he thanked me. After I returned from lunch, I went upstairs, and lo and behold! There he and his son were, waiting to be seen by the GM. He shook my hand and asked for my name and thanked me once more when I was going by. On the return trip, he shook my hand again and told me I was a good man. He admonished me not to change. Guess it was worth it after all. I was really happy to hear that.
I guess overall this turned out to be a not so bad story, but I've had to deal with some people you see? I wish I could step outside the booth and punch them in the face. And keep punching. And punching. Until my fist marks are outlined in their faces. You know... Just because.
Some people come in here thinking that you owe them everything and you should drop your entire life just to suit them. I believe in the customer's rights, but at the same time, some of them push it a little too far. I've encountered some real disgusting and difficult people (usually for no apparent reason) in this place, and it takes real control not to talk to them the way they talk and behave towards you. If you're a practicing Christian this is all too familiar.
Many times as Christians, people do all manner of evil to us, just because they can. They allow the devil to use them to try to provoke us to wrath, just so they can accomplish their own selfish whims and desires. But despite this, no matter how difficult it may be, we should always pray to the Father and instead of being unkind, give them good Christian service. Just check out what Proverbs 25: 21-22 has to say about that.
Our goal should not be to heap coals of fire on anyone's heads, but to show that we have the love of Jesus in our hearts, so no matter what anyone tries to do to hurt us, we can smile and know that they can't phase us or stop our praise. We know what our reward will be. Jesus said to love your enemies (check the link) and he said it more than once. "If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that." (Matt 5:47 NLT)
I posted the song below before, but it's so powerful and relevant, I'm sharing it again. Remember the next time you have to do customer or Christian service, that it pays to serve Jesus :)
Don't worry about getting back at anybody down here on earth; frankly, earth sucks! Store your treasures in heaven. Enjoy the song.
Yesterday (Thursday, July 11, 2013) I was leaving work with two jackets in my hand, about to cross the street to meet my parents who were waiting for me down the road. I had just gotten them altered and picked them up from the tailor during my lunch time. They were in the plastic covering and this gave the appearance that they were new suits I suppose. One of my coworkers who was standing at the gate with two others, saw the jackets and asked if I just got a new suit for a wedding; MY wedding to be exact, with a big grin on his face. Mi look like mi ready fi married? :s
He's a cool guy still; we don't talk much, mostly 'cause he's quiet, but we always hail each other and we have a decent working relationship. For some reason he was quite interested in this littlefaux development in my life. I told him no, I wasn't going to a wedding, nor MY wedding (any time soon at least), and informed him I was merely bringing the jackets from the tailor. I went as far as to add that I couldn't be getting married because "mi haffi find a ooman first!" with a laugh. Who tell mi fi guh seh dat? Rahtid!
About a month or so earlier, he saw me with a lady friend of mine in Half-Way-Tree, one to whom I even introduced him, y'know, seeing that I'm polite and all.
Bredrin! The man start laugh and ask how mi suh lie, 'cause him see me wid ooman a Half-Way-Tree. I couldn't help but laugh too and assure him that the person he saw was only a good female friend of mine.
That's when the bombshell dropped.
TOTALLY devoid or unconcerned of the two summer workers beside him (who happened to be girls), the man just blurted out, with grin fully intact:
"Suh, yuh start beat it yet?"
Uhh... What?
Yeah... that's really what he asked. I'm still trying to figure out how two jackets in my hand led to that. Anywho, I could only offer an awkward smile and say no. I wanted to go as far as to let him know that that wasn't a practice of mine, and I was planning to wait until marriage, but I think that would have caused even more of an outcry. Right away I took the moment as my cue to leave and informed him that I had to go, and I went across the street and into the safe haven of my parents' car.
A dog doing as a dog does... Marking territory.
Now, I thought about it a little, and I was like "Wow. Is this really the society I live in?" Is this really how most of my contemporaries think these days, that the aim of talking to girls is just to have sex? Bwoy, I don't know about you, but that's a pretty sad reality to me. Here is a society, not isolated to only Jamaica, where it is expected that you're just supposed to have sex--lots of it, with lots of girls--before you're married, and that's the norm.
(I would say at least is not just us in Jamaica, but what consolation is that really?)
Any girl you talk to, that's the ultimate goal apparently; Get in. Hit it. Get out, and after that goal is attained, you move on very much like a dog would and continue to leave your pee (semen/pee--close enough) each place you visit, to mark the territory claimed/conquered.
Things like this make me ponder how much I don't want to have daughters, just because of guys who live their whole lives with this mindset. Clearly they would have to make their own choices, and you could even argue that my sons could turn out like that, although I'd do my best to ensure that they don't. What ever happened to Love, Marriage and then Sex? Is that process flow obsolete now?
Here is Jamaica, with most hitting out against gays only, but it's apparently cool to have "nuff gyal" and 'hundred stab' di whole a dem. The thought may be okay to some, but for me? It's a sad, sad norm.
And this is EXACTLY WHY JAMAICAN SOCIETY IS IN IT'S CURRENT MESS! NOBODY WANTS TO FOLLOW ORDERS! UGH!
Where I work, there are several entrances. Some specific to employees, and others for the general public. At the receptionist area where I work sometimes, there are two doors. One door, directly behind the receptionist booth, is specifically for employees, or deliveries. The other is a door for visitors beside the receptionist booth, who, if they need to speak to employees, or conduct business with the company's management, they are allowed in. After their visit, they are supposed to leave through that same door. Why? Because they're not employees. Duh!
I really think that this sign to the left needs to be on the door behind the receptionist. But then again, maybe it wouldn't even matter, because the very same employees are the ones allowing every and anybody to abuse it.
I was at the receptionist booth, and a man came to the visitor's door and beckoned for me to let him in. I did, and I don't know where he went, but shortly after he returned and went to the other door, which is for employees. I suppose this is because people are just lazy and this door is easy to access and so they would rather exit through that door than walk around through the main entrance. However, I have been told SEVERAL times, that that door is for EMPLOYEES. Everybody else is supposed to walk through the other one! This man is like "let me out deh nuh", like he's soooo important, rules don't apply to him. I responded, "I'm not supposed to do that." He hit me with this look like, 'Yute, yuh serious? Yuh cyaa let me out?' and proceeded to say "yuh naa let me out?" like I was obligated to. I gave him the same response. You see, if he was humble with it, then even though I'm not supposed to, MAYBE I would've, but him a gwaan like seh it was my duty! No bredda, a nuh suh it work! Or... so I thought.
There comes a co-worker, (who I'm not pleased to call that either) with his pass to let the man out. *cue look of disgust*
Now, I wasn't trying to be difficult, nor abuse my 'Authority', but I was simply following protocol. I guess my peeps at NCU may argue the same thing about the security there. But attitude goes a long way! Had the man been at least remotely remorseful about wanting to break the rule, then maybe him cudda get a bly; it wouldn't kill me, but don't act like it's a right. Suppose I did it and the General Manager for HR saw me and reprimanded me? He would be quite fine, long gone about his business. Suppose he was a thief? Leaving wid people belongings? Then you woulda hear seh Alwayne Allen let out di man! Not gonna happen ese. No way.
It shouldn't surprise me that that SAME co-worker was the same one who wanted me to lie to his family member who came to see him on the job. Wanted me to tell her he wasn't there when I was looking right at him. When I told him I couldn't lie, his response? "Yuh a mussi Christian, or Pastor, bout yuh cyaa tell lie."
(._.) Uh, YEAH I'm a Christian you lying, muscle head idiot!
E.G. of Muscle Head Below (for Clarity)
Bottom line is, we can't and shouldn't break rules, just to suit ourselves and people. I digress, not all laws will make sense to us, and we won't agree with all of 'em, but breaking them usually does more harm than help. Jamaican society has gotten so accustomed to this that it's now a norm. And we find all kinds of demeaning remarks and names to call people who don't comply to this bad, rule breaking behaviour. If we don't stand for something? We'll fall for every and anything.
I don't even need to bring up the Christian perspective, but just because I can, I will :D > Read it here <
Cleary the first thing you would think of when you see the title would be the words of the Tarrus Riley song, although the title is actually "Getty Getty No Want Ee". I didn't even know I knew this song (ish), such is the power of music! Lemme drop in some of my favourite lines, a la Gordon Robinson style :D
Sometimes we see
And ringing in my head is what my mama tell meeee
Wanty wanty no getty and getty getty no wanty huh
Wanty wanty no getty and getty getty no wanty huh huh
Wanty wanty no getty and getty getty no wantyyyyy
Wanty wanty no getty and getty getty no wanty
Chuh! Just watch the video and listen the song yaaa man!
Now that we've gotten that out of our collective systems, I suppose I should tell you what this all about. Well, you see, once upon a time, there was this little boy named Bob. The end.
Can somebody tell me, why people stay suh? Seriously! Oh, I'm supposed to tell you how nuh.
You do something nice or thoughtful for somebody one time. ONE! And then what happens? They NEVER stop coming back. Unless of course you grow some large cojones an' jus run dem weh. Currently, I don't possess any large ones. But bwoy. That behavior from people makes you weary mayne... You get tired of it easily, nuh true? "True or False? Through!!!" (Big up Annette btw)
DISCLAIMER: This has nothing to do with any recent interaction with any of my current friends/associates/family. Zeen? Just making sure I put it out there before the imaginary consciences start biting and mi get cuss out an' a nuh yuh mi dida talk. Cool? Cool.
Soooo, there's a girl at work, actually many (it's a female dominated environment), but yeah, a
particular girl. Anybody who's had a Blackberry or knowledge of those phones know they SUUUUUCK when it comes on to battery life and have to be charged quite often. I however have two batteries and charge my phone every night before bed so I don't really need to charge at work. However, I walk with my USB charger, and I suppose she saw me use it before, so late one evening she came to ask me to borrow it. Actually, the line now is "Alwayne, can get likkle charge please?"
The first time she did it was late one evening; work ends at 5 and she came like 4:30, so that's not a long period of time, and of course I never had a problem. I'm kind to people... *initially.
Fast forward to a couple weeks later! At LEAST 3 times a week this girl comin' to me! Why? Say it with me:
"Alwayne, can get likkle charge please?"
A me one know fi charge mi phone a mi yaad?! First it was in the evening, now, she start come inna d mawnin! Of course. My purpose in life is to come to work to let you charge your phone. Gotchya. And you KNOW how these things go--the gospel of blackberry chargers spreads like wildfire. As of yesterday, it's no longer one girl, but two. Mi mad fi jus buy a "work charger" gi dem!
That story of teaching a man to fish instead of giving him a fish ain't no joke!
The second instance was this guy at a basketball court near to where I live. It's about 5mins driving distance, so I usually drive there. Apparently he lives relatively close to where I live, even though I have to pass my yaad to go to his. Out of the goodness of my heart I gave him a ride one Tuesday night. I know that it was a Tuesday because I stopped at Dominoes on the way home to get that special Tuesday XL Pizza deal.
I don't know how mi cudda suh fool fool to come outta the car and lef a stranger in it. I had some silver in there, because at the court, those who play have to make up money to pay to use the lights, but I didn't have to give any that night 'cause they had already paid when I got there, plus I'd paid several times before. Why do I bring up this silver you ask?
Weeeeeeeellll, when I got home, could I find my silver? Not a blowow! I had $70 and di man tief $40! I had fallen in a big pothole, you know, the unexpected ninja type, on the way home, so I thought the coins must have been scattered because of that. I WISH! I never saw my $40 dollars again!
Now I'm sure you might be laughing and saying, "bwoy Alwayne, a jus $40 still" but I'm talking about principle! How you goin' do dat?! Suppose I had left a million in there?! (Clearly I wouldn't be so stupid, but you get the point!)
And then the best part is, of course; HIM BEG RIDE AGAIN!!! If I had the big cojones I woulda seh "No!", and he'd wonder why & think I'm a "fassy". Or maybe he would remember the $40... Who knows. Idk what kinda conscience he's got.
And what's the worst part? If you don't help or be kind to these people, despite them clearly taking you for granted while feeling absolutely no remorse for being the next thing to a blood sucking leech, everybody seh "A meanaz dat man!" when the half of the story has never been told. Maybe that might just be the way to go yaa man, I dunno. I suppose I should probably save myself the trouble and just seh "no" initially. Too bad, I don't have the *cojones!
*COJONES - is a Spanish word for denoting courage when used in the phrase "tener cojones" (equivalent to English "have the balls to") or testicles.
First of all, tell me my pun wasn't clever. You know you like that! Yes, my use of "/" was intentional. We're talking about Bleaching, as in skin bleaching, and you know there's bleaching cream, BUT we're also talking talking about Cream, as in hair cream! Hold the applause, I know, I know, it's a such a simple pun, but its brilliant... Okay, you can applaud a little :)
But seriously, if you missed the #AllAngles special hosted by Dionne Jackson-Miller (@djmillerJA) you neeeeed to see it to get the context of the debate that has ensued since airing (June 19, 2013) on TVJ.
You can watch the special here ------> BLEACHING SPECIAL
Since the airing of the programme, a fierce debate has ensued about Bleaching of the skin, versus Creaming of the hair, as now persons are saying that those who ridicule skin bleaching, need to ridicule women who relax their hair or wear weaves as well, because it's the same thing!
At first, I was like "seriously? Dem really goin' come wid this?" I was having none of it. My initial comment to a post on Facebook that supported the view that bleaching (skin) and creaming (hair) is pretty much the same was this:
"Yeah u chemically changing something, but the reasons for it in some cases are different. Its not always cuz its perceived to look better, sometimes the hair is too hard to manage for some ladies. I see ur view still, but I don't think its the same. Bleaching destroys their skin, relaxing doesn't destroy the hair if cared properly. My two cents. I'm not for or against relaxing still."
It was soooo ironic, but this argument started on Saturday with my cousin, or some form of it, as our fam was talking about natural hair vs processed hair and this cult exodus so many girls are in right now going back to their roots. Who knew Dionne's bleaching special would bring the discussion back?
Anywho, I was greeted by the following tweet later on this morning (Jun 20, 2013) by my friend and blogmate Keneice:
1) Creamed hair is easier to manage for those who can't deal with it being my main one (and not a case where the woman thinks it looks better), or saying 2) "psychological reasons behind each [differ]. Not every black woman thinks natural hair is ugly and therefore it muss cream" I was always met with a counterpoint:
Keneice - "Damage is similar; reasons behind use are similar. For every case there is an exception..few who can't manage nat hair"
The only one I think I didn't truly get a good response for was this:
(Still waiting for a good answer for this from somebody!)
I thought about the whole thing though and I've come up with my conclusion on the whole matter:
EVERYBODY'S A HYPOCRITE. EVERY. LAST. ONE. *whispers* even me. Don't tell nobody!
We all have our open stances to some things, and have our minds closed to others. I don't have a problem with creamed hair, but some women, mostly those from the naturalist cult movement do. But, the same "au naturale" girls use make up, and even dye their hair. Is that natural? This is natural right? Is it really natural? --------------------------------------------------------------------------> What's the rationale for make-up? What's wrong with the normal skin colour over your eyes or on your lips? (Not bashing make-up btw, it looks nice when done right; just don't mess up my shirt when you hug me!) I know someone who died from a cancer that was caused by basically using so much hair dye, its like it became poison to his body. So shouldn't we preach against hair dye too? What about bleaching of hair?
Think about it.
Personally, I don't like bleaching of the skin--I think it makes people look worse than better, but if they think they look better, who cares about what I think? Nobody! Afta a nuh fi mi skin! A nuh me buy it gi dem. They're free to do what they want. I'm known to preach to women to keep their hair long. Why? Because I like long hair! Is something wrong with short hair? No, but it's just my preference. We all have our preferences.
Unlike many, I didn't judge the people on the special who bleached their skin. I laughed. A WHOLE LOT! But I didn't judge them. Didn't agree with their reasoning, and I thought they needed a lot of education. But judging and condemning, I did not. To me, it should be the same reaction to with women with processed hair. These people are owners of their own selves and can do whatever they like, whether we like it or not. It's their own health and their own choices; who are we to point at them? We all have our double standards somewhere. For my personal stance on bleaching, I do cast some blame on Vybz Kartel for how he portrayed bleaching to the masses. That wasn't the kind of public education we needed at all. I know it was happening before him, but you'd be pretty foolish to think he didn't have any impact at all on helping the practice rise to popularity. But, as Monica said last night, she [and others who practice bleaching] "PRETTY PLUS TAX!"
For those who are against the creaming of the hair and are of the view that persons who do it are in the same category as bleachers, that's cool. To each his/her own. I don't agree, but we all think differently.
This comment by someone on Facebook is pretty much the conclusion of the whole matter:
"From what I saw on tv all the bleachers said they were proud of their black skin but is a 'likkle more opportunity' or 'fashion and style' them do it fah.... Tbh [to be honest] most people who relax their hair use a similar justification system, you know 'my hair too hard fi manage' or 'a kyah brush mi have''.... They say they proud of their blackness still enuh but you know.. is just fashion and style. The effects of a relaxer are pretty damaging as well, but you know by now how to not get so damaged by it, just maybe a one and two scalp burrn here and there but ntn too much like your hair falling out or w.e
Anyways its people body fi do w.e with it and they justify their decisions so it make sense to them and it shouldn't matter to anyone else"
Selah.
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