Masks raising eyebrows ? That’s excessive…not sure how long I would have lasted…. That being said, I never got any negative vibes about my look.

Kenya would have been heaven for child molesters because we played out all day with little supervision and I can’t recall anyone going missing or being molested…can you imagine a kids face on the KCC Milk packets ati ‘Missing 5yr since 1988…” or Amber Alerts? Hmmm…those were good old days for real.

Ory, I was appalled when another Kenyan friend (I’m stateside) deemed my very tidy locks “too political” the night before my job interview (in a very conservative field) and suggested another hairstyle. Clearly, the only other hairstyle at that point in the evening would have been a close-shaven head, which, in my opinion, could be interpreted by whites as the more “militant” hairstyle…I considered it for a minute, then I decided, like you, that if my hair is the reason I’m not hired for this job, then it would clearly not be the place for me. I’m still mystified by my friend’s intentions - her comments were NOT helpful at all…

Thanks for the memories.

- Steve

You’re right, it was land of majitu.

It is so depressing that this black locks debate endures. I have a completely different take, as someone who is permanently with a short afro or almost clean shaven (my hubbie is my barber), African American women have a chip on their shoulder about their hair that I don’t understand, and far worse, most have subconsciously bought in to the idea that black natural hair is UGLY otherwise why would they get so bent out of shape every time White society expresses an opinion? Majority of the work settings in America accomodate ‘ethnic’ styles so it really is not that big of a deal, and if it is at your workplace then its probably not worth working there to begin with!!!!! This may be controversial but I was appalled by the hypocrisy that surrounded Don Imus’ condemnation due to the “nappy haired hos” comment. In my book, those enraged were done so more by “nappy hair” as opposed to “hos” (I don’t see Marchs on Washington Mall every time Ludacris or 50Cent et al release an album)!!!!!

Enough said, your comment about Gabriella is spot on i.e. what a different childhood she’ll have. To be honest, I have refused to come to terms with it, my daughter is 12 months old and one of the reasons I’m leaving the States is because I believe the material comforts will never be a good enough substitute for the social and cultural sacrifices. I accept she’ll never appreciate Kiini Macho or Sheera, but Lord knows I’ll do my best to introduce ‘Shake’, and ‘Blada’ and ‘Tapia ya Mkebe’ and my favourite ‘Rounders’ It would break my heart if she did not have the opportunity to play outside with the kids of the mtaa!