Crochet Hair (Black Owned) - Crown Locs | shop here

For the longest time, ownership of Black hair was in control of others. From what is deemed socially acceptable in styling our hair to the products in which we use to style our hair. We did not own any of it. Recently, companies around the world are understanding the importance of the Black dollar. There is power in where we choose to spend our money. It is common knowledge within the black community that most of our hair products are made in Asian countries then sold by Asian owned beauty supply stores. Most of the products they sell they do not use but profit from our spending. 

Everything from braiding hair to the Afro pick has been mass produced by people that do not use those products or understand the significance and history behind those products. It is time we support black businesses for numerous reasons that can put an end to systemic oppression and racial inequality. My main reason for highlighting supporting black owned hair companies is due to the fact that the tools and concepts surrounding the upkeep of our hair was created by black people. It is very disheartening when those that invented a product or concept do not benefit and profit from it.

Giving you lovely people some color with today's look! We all know, I am not one to wear bold colors but I am trying something new. I love how this outfit turned out. I am so proud of myself that most of this outfit is thrifted. I'm making little steps to making my closet more sustainable. I'm happy with the results! 

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top, bag, shorts - thrifted, tank bodysuit - fashionnova, 

glasses - shein, shoes - Nike Air Force 1s

I turned 25 a few days ago. I was feeling extremely discouraged with everything happening after the death of George Floyd. I expand more on my thoughts in my vlog although I am going to leave you with this message I put on my Instagram.

"Today, I turn 25.

I have spent the past few days in anger and pain. 2020 has been a year that I planned to forget. I find it difficult to celebrate another year added to my life when my black brothers and sisters had that joy taken away from them. ‪I choose to smile because they want us to hide and quiver. I choose to speak up because they want us silent. I am grateful for my 25th year of life. I am proud of my black skin and the culture that comes with it. Even though, I live in a country that tells and shows me otherwise.‬ Thank you to everyone that is speaking up about the injustice. We are in an election year, please vote. Let our chants and demands for change turn into law."

IMPORTANT information (donation, petitions) - https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co

I have always been a fan of poetry. We have heard about new age authors like Rupi Kuar, who gained her popularity on instagram and went on to write two New York Times bestsellers and sold out international book tours. When I discovered Odera O'Gonuwe, a phenomenal up and coming author released her collection poems under the book title, Life as It Is, I was excited because I also see her gaining great success like Rupi Kuar. I am not new to Odera’s work. A few years ago, I read and wrote about her work and I am a huge fan of her writing style (read here). I got a chance to ask her a few questions and get some insight into her writing process and love for literature. 

GET YOUR FREE EBOOK - HERE 

Odera and her team decided to release the ebook for free during these tough times due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Hopefully, her book can be a good escape from the pandemic happening around the world. 

1. Your work evokes a lot of emotion. Each poem causing the reader to self-reflect or question societal norms. Do you think good literary work forces the reader to be a little uncomfortable?

First, I would have to define what good literary work means to me. It is seamless. The words flow on their own accord, and the author’s machinations are unseen. The reader has complete trust that the story is as told, turning each page with conviction in where the book will go. Does that mean that the literary work must be uncomfortable to read? In my opinion, no. Literature is only uncomfortable when you are an outsider peeking into a worldview unfamiliar to you. As a Black woman, when I read works meant to be engaged by Black women, I feel more affirmed than uncomfortable. Likewise, when I engage works centering people unlike me and see the inequalities they face, there is a discomfort in realizing the power that I do wield and how I must dismantle my biases if I truly wish to build an equitable world.

2. What was the first book that made you cry or feel overwhelming emotion (good or bad)?

I have read a lot of books in my lifetime, but the first one that I remember making me feel overwhelming emotion would have to be Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief. Rick Riordan was my Favorite author as a child. I re-read his books numerous times. I felt as though Percy Jackson was real. I was immediately drawn into the riveting tale with the first sentence in the first chapter. I remember laughing along to the dialogue and fearing for Percy, Annabeth, and Grover as the plot thickened. I eclipsed the act of simply reading and lived within the pages until the story’s end. I discovered the magic of good storytelling with this novel. I write each book with the hope of evoking this emotion with my readers.

3. How important is it to bring a touch of humor into serious topics? In the poem, “People are Dying, Susan” I noticed that was the case and it allowed me to resonate with the overall message.

Humor allows us to ease tension. Sometimes my intention is to dial up the heat rather than extinguishing the fire. I attacked each poem with a unique perspective. I was blunt, nostalgic, whimsical, and humorous. However, I think it is best not to force humor as one is writing. Follow the natural voice that comes from within because there is nothing worse than a joke that falls flat.

I am saying goodbye, au revoir, arrivederci, adios to skinny jeans. Well... kinda. I think a more realistic way to put it is, I am saying hello to high-waisted baggy jeans but I might grab my skinny jeans if the occasion calls for it. Better? I have always had a tomboy edge to my style. I love feminine silhouettes with a masculine touch. This summer (once the pandemic is over) get ready to see a lot of girly tops with baggy bottoms. I have always been in love with this style. Pulling inspiration from the late 90s and early 2000s. 

The pair of jeans, I am wearing are from ASOS and I get most if not all of my jeans from ASOS because they have a wonderful tall section. Being 5'11, finding jeans that flow all the way pass my ankle is difficult. I love that I can shop the ASOS brand as well as other brands.

Sunglasses - SheIn (here) | Shirt - Thrifted | Top - SheIn (here) | Jeans - ASOS (here) | Shoes - Nike (here)

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I look forward to taking walks because it’s the only time I wear something besides leggings or sweatpants 🙃 ————— Outfit ⤵️ Shirt - thrifted Tank & glasses - @sheinofficial @ushein_us Jeans - @asos Shoes - @nike @nikewomen

A post shared by Feyi A (@marvelingmind) on Apr 19, 2020 at 8:00am PDT