Top Ten Things A Black Girl Should Know

Those of us with children know that they don't come with operator's manuals.  Most of the time, mothers (and fathers, even more so) just have to play it by ear and do the best they can with what they know at the time.  Wouldn't it be nice if we all received an operator's manual for our lives? How fantastic it would be if we received, on our first day of kindergarten, a guide that would help us navigate the rest of our lives?  Nice, yes.  Realistic, no.   In light of this, I thought that I, Miss C., would compile a list of The Top Ten Things a Black Girl Should Know.  I know you all already know about the dangers of drugs, alcohol, and unprotected sex; staying in school, studying hard, etc., so we've stayed away from the obvious (for now). I've asked different sistas (think of them as your Aunties, you know how we do...) from all walks of life,  all ages and differing beliefs to tell me what they've learned from life in order to share it with you.

http://www.soulculture.co.uk/features/interviews/black-girl-still-rockin-res-interview

                       TOP TEN THINGS A BLACK GIRL SHOULD KNOW

10.  Take baths.  Bathing is essential.  Sometimes you need to just sit in the tub, relax and soak.  It's good for the skin, it keeps your lady parts fresh, and it's a chance for you to slow down from the world.  Keep a book or magazine close by, or do reading for school while lounging in the tub.  After bathing, be sure to moisturize with a nice coconut oil or cocoa butter lotion, or shea butter to keep your skin smooth and healthy.  When you get older, you'll appreciate the wisdom of the bath.--Miss C.


9.   Learn to cook and clean.  Why? For your own independence and for your future relationships. When your house is in order you think more clearly,  can move around easier and it's great discipline for when you become mothers and/or wives. Thinkaboutit: A lot of times women complain about what men aren't doing; sisters are falling short too.  Don't fall short on yourself. --Auntie C.A.


8.  Don't lose sight of your dreams.  You might have to make a left turn or a right turn; go over a mountain; fall off the mountain; be pushed back up the mountain...you have to keep going.  Just don't lose sight of your dreams; they are your destiny.--Auntie C.A.


7.  There are ample numbers of productive black men around.  We hear scary statistics about the shortage of Black men.  According to the media they are in jail, cracked out, thugged out, ugly, mean, nasty.  There is a world of black men out here, beyond your block, beyond your city, beyond Georgia, beyond America!  Don't let anyone fool you into thinking differently!--Auntie C.A.


6.   The one regret I have is not waiting to have sex. The emotional stuff that comes along with losing your virginity is much greater than what goes on with your body.  Sharing yourself with someone is and should be a special experience.  If you wait until you are older and more in control of your emotions, whether you are married or not, it would be much better.  Wait until you are emotionally able to process the whole experience.--Auntie C.W.


5.  Learn to dance.  Really dance.  Learn to do more than the current dance steps of the day.  Put on music and express yourself through dance.  It relieves stress, it's good exercise that you don't have to travel to the gym to keep doing, and it will make you laugh.  When you're feeling down or depressed, DANCE!! There is no way you can stand in front of a mirror and dance--and still be down.  Learn to enjoy the quality of being alone with your thoughts and the movement of your body.  Also, be careful of the music you digest.  Like food feeds the body, music feeds the mind, body and spirit. Be mindful of abusive messages and degrading images in the music and videos.  Find a new music legacy to leave your children and their children--Auntie T.


4. KNOW YOUR HISTORY.  We think that our history began with the slave trade and ended with the Civil Rights Movement.  When we investigate further, however, we find that the only DNA everyone in the world shares is that of a Black Woman. Research that. Look it up.  Go to National Geographic and find out all about that single strand that every human possesses.  Draw your own conclusions on the significance of that fact.  And then act accordingly.  We are the first women.--Miss C.


3.  Respect your elders.  Everyone who is older than you is,  technically, your elder.  We may make you mad, not listen, be incorrect--but we still must be respected.  Find a way to talk to your parents, your teachers, and other elders which shows respect and thought.  Unless you are being physically attacked, you should NEVER disrespect your elders.  NEVER. Just walk away, go somewhere and cuss us out under your breath.--Grandma G.


2.  READ.  Read everything you can get your hands on.  Read books, magazines, school work, newspapers, blogs, everything.  Let your world consist of more than the daily diet of what rapper did who, who wore what, or feuds on facebook.  Reading opens your mind to a world of wonders.  It creates discipline in the reader.  It informs and can help you make good or better decisions about your life.  Some of my favorite authors are: John D. MacDonald (Got you! Thought I was gonna name Alice Walker or somebody, didn't you?) Stuart Woods, Tananarive Due, Louis L'Amour, Octavia Butler, Walter Mosely, August Wilson, Toni Morrison (don't be scared of Toni! You'll understand it better after you read it the second (or third) time...), and Dick Francis just to name a few.  When you read, you can travel to foreign lands, be a spy, be a chef, an astronaut, a jockey, a cowgirl, a detective, get married, divorced, be on the run--you name it, you can be it.  A healthy imagination is one of the most important things you can have, and it won't cost you a dime to develop it through reading.--Miss C.

            AND THE NUMBER ONE THING A BLACK GIRL SHOULD KNOW IS:

1.  ALWAYS STAY TRUE TO YOURSELF.  Don't let other people's vision of who you are determine who you should be.  The media will tell you to look a certain way, dress a certain way, act a certain way--even wear your hair a certain way!  Don't fall for the myths of make-believe and Madison Avenue.  Be true to yourself above all things.--Auntie C.W.

(BET/http://www.naturallycurly.com/curlreading/home/what-to-watch-black-girls-rock)