kendrasmithparks

[kendrasmithparks]

Stop Telling Me To Get Over It

I grew up in a primarily white region and friend group, I first noticed I was different at a young age of seeing all the girls with long, glossy, straight hair. I was confused to why I was different. I remember sitting in front of my television and watching a L’Oréal children’s shampoo/conditioner commercial and asking my mom to buy that shampoo for me because I wanted my hair to look like that. My mom had to explain to me that it doesn’t work like that and I don’t have that kind of hair. That is my first time of feeling inferior about my hair. I was around 6, but I got over it.

My mom used to put my hair in ponytails and braids to protect my hair from heat damage. I grew up with plats in my hair, several of them, I hated getting my hair done but my mom insisted on doing it to maintain my hair and I didn’t understand, but I still got over it.

I was embarrassed because I wasn’t allowed to straighten my hair and be normal. To keep my hair from curling up on the edges and the back of my neck, my mom would slick my hair back to have a tight ponytail. In the 6th or 7th grade, I was sitting in class just casually playing on a normal day and a guy in my class jokingly gave me a knuckle twist to my hair, which is an absolute no-no to any girl. I had gel and oil based hair products in my hair and he was grossed out and looked at his fingers in shock and rubbed them together and called me a “grease monkey” and laughed along with his friends. I had always gotten questions on why my hair was like this or why I never wore it down or why I put all these products in it and I felt like an animal, I was hurt and I cried in private, but I did what I thought was okay and got over it. After this incident, I would sneak a bottle of baby powder in my backpack every day and powder my hair with to absorb the oil, because I was embarrassed. I didn’t understand my actions or what incentivized it, but I got over it.

I began to fight with my parents, until this day, about my hair because I wanted to fit in and be normal and straighten my hair and not put oil in my hair. By this point, I was in high school and they were both tired of fighting with me. I began to straighten my hair every day and get relaxers and everything was fine for a couple of years. Besides the occasional question of why my hair doesn’t grow or doesn’t grow fast enough. I was still told I was pretty for a black girl and I accepted that, because I wasn’t a freak show anymore and I kind of looked like everyone else. So, I still got over it.

           During middle school and high school, I eventually began to grow into my body a little more. I grew up to have an extremely skinny body with an abnormally large butt. I am a light skinned female so apparently having a huge butt was crazy. It was a joke and I accepted it even though it hurt a little, but whatever. Eventually, I got declared the black girl with the big butt and small body. Since my skin wasn’t dark, my butt and my silky, straight hair from harmful chemicals and heat my butt was declared the only “black” thing about me. I was embarrassed and began to tie a belt around my butt under my pants so it would appear smaller. I was pissed and I hated those comments, but I got over it.

I have always been articulate and the way I spoke was declared “white”, because I was articulate. When I would call my friends on the phone and three way sometimes, the person on the other side would always be surprised I was black because I spoke so well. I was pissed secretly, but I got over it again. It’s normal and fine, whatever.

After a couple of years of not maintaining my hair and being under a delusion I was something I’m not, I straightened and relaxed my hair and didn’t put oil into my hair until my hair was falling out. My mom forced me to get my hair braided into a protective style and I was mad, because I was in this blissful ignorance of looking like everyone else. The next day at school, I was back to previous years of being made fun of for having weird hair. The same day someone called me a creature from Alien vs. Predator. I took my braids out that weekend, but I got over it.

I’m 21 years old and the first time that I can remember seeing the real texture of my NATURAL hair was this year. I’m learning how to do it every day and going on my own hair journey in the process of this transition. I don’t know what I am doing because I allowed myself to do what I felt was right and was told to do. However, I’m learning. I know I look crazy and ridiculous sometimes but I feel like I’m relearning everything about my hair. Every time I would try to do something different with my hair, no one else’s hair, mine, I would be ridiculed into saying they liked my hair better that way and I didn’t say anything because I thought it was normal and kept getting over it.

I wore a hat the other day around a “friend” and they said “hiding the naps under the hat today” and laughed. It was a normal thing to acknowledge and say to them. A room full of black women were ridiculed in front of me from the room smelling like hair grease in front of me, a month ago.

Seeing people fighting and protesting to bring awareness to situations like mine whether it being the life of someone poor, trans, gay, white, black, and all the above, I don’t care. This needs to be brought into attention. We need to bring awareness and teach our kids and let people know that these things are not ok. It’s not ok to preach your form of normality. No, I will not get over it. No, I will not stop “whining”. I haven’t gotten over it and I will not get over. I don’t need pity but education and understanding.            At 21 years old, people are still being told what to do with their body. Whether it be a women’s hair being braided or dreaded in the work place to what to do with our reproductive organs or a “male” or “female” being told they can or can’t wear a type of clothing or makeup, it’s about time that people stood up and said no. So, I genuinely don’t understand the idea behind getting over it, but I  will not get over it anymore.

 Love,

Kendra Smith-Parks

[kendrasmithparks]

Top 3 Venues in MS:

1)  Greenhouse Porter, GPORT

2) The Thirsty Hippo HBURG

3) Big Sleepy’s, JXN

[kendrasmithparks]

Della Memoria

Saw an awesome band at the Keg and Barrel last night. Check them out!

[kendrasmithparks]

This weekend for me

This weekend I took a break from the south and traveled up north to Chicago. Photo reds not from me but look how beautiful it is/was.

[kendrasmithparks]

Yoga at Tap Room?!?!

Local brewery Southern Prohibition is now offering yoga classes in the brand new tap room every third Saturday.

Starting on December 9th, Yoga @ The Tap Room will be presenting it’s first yoga class. As mentioned in previous Yoga post, Greenhouse Yoga’s, Daniel Wise will be leading this class at 11:30 A.M.

Each class will last about 45 minutes. And for our 21+ beer connoisseurs, a guaranteed barstool is guaranteed to be awaiting you after the session. For more information check it SoPro’s website here.

Also look into Greenhouse Yoga to see about their meeting’s as well, just incase you can’t meet up with Sopro.

and don’t forget to look at the beers featured in the taproom. Some incentive to come and finish the class :)

Happy drunken yoga!

[kendrasmithparks]

December Holiday Art Walk

In Down Town Hattiesburg, THIS Saturday, be sure to check out the Art show this weekend from 5-8 P.M. to get a preview on what will be featured that day. 

For more information check to the Facebook page: here

[kendrasmithparks]

Today I got to take picture of local indie sensation Oh, Jeremiah. What a beautiful couple!

[kendrasmithparks]

Lo Noom is a child prodigy!

Producer, Recorder and Songwriter Andrew Nooman is the epitome of a musical genius.

With inspirations like Toro Y Moi and Mac Demarco. He is bound to get noticed. He is also from Hattiesburg. Check out his band camp tunes. 

[kendrasmithparks]

A picture of Style Editor from DIME Entertainment having fun at the Coin Toss Party.

Celebrating the first issue release!

[kendrasmithparks]

Behind the scenes: DIME Entertainment Style Shoot

For the November Issue, I got to go behind the scenes for Dime Entertainment Magazine. To get a sneak peak we got to help out with the pictures taken to be published!

Dime Entertainment is a local publication based out of Hattiesburg.

[kendrasmithparks]

Enough about me

What is yawls favorite venue in the south?

why?

where?

favorite moment?

[kendrasmithparks]

Long Leaf Trace

For my nature enthusiasts: The Longleaf Trace has been around for over 20 years. The trace is an ideal route to use to take ride your bike or walk.

With no twist and turns that some trails may have to offer, it is 41 miles of straight line to ride on and enjoy. The organization even went into the liberty of paving the course with asphalt. However it does have intersections with the road, so it is definitely beneficial.

The USM welcome center was just renovated by the campus.

Be sure to bring you’re favorite furry friend too (as long as their leashed).

To help out your local scenic route check out: here.

For a picture of the trail for a general idea of how extensive it is: Long Leaf Trace Map

[kendrasmithparks]

Downtown Gym’s are cool?

Adam Evans, owner of The Weekender Boutique and Body Barre, opened up a downtown gym conveniently located in the American Building.

When you walk into Body Bar it is beautifully set up and music is blaring in the background making it the ideal workout spot.

Cleaned from head to toe everyday, the shower and restrooms are flawless. Now, there is no excuse to not squeeze in that workout in between work and the kids. No worries about gross gym bathrooms are in place.

The gym is 24/7 to use so squeezing in work outs is easy.

The office hours are Monday-Thursday 5-7pm for tours and signups to get a feel of the gym.

We all know you are interested now and fitting into that new spring line featured at the Weekender is a must!

He is greeeeeat

[kendrasmithparks]

Eaglepalooza in Hattiesburg

Echosmith decided to come to Hattiesburg this month to celebrate the University of Southern Mississippi’s last home game of the season that they won!! 

Their student newspaper did an awesome article covering everything that was going on regarding the event. 

Local band, The DLX, featuring Southern Miss alumni Sean Chambliss. 

Look up the article on: Student Printz article on Eaglepalooza

[kendrasmithparks]

Fall Art Walk!!!

On November 7th, come walk true streets around downtown Hattiesburg. Hattiesburg Art Council will be presenting the annual fall art walk! Check out local artist from Jackson to the Bay. Most of the painting will be available for purchase as well. Not only do you have the ability to admire the paintings, but you have the ability to meet the artists as well.

Downtown shops and restaurants will be opening house selling their displayed art. From the Carter Building to brand new spirits store Twin Oaks, walk around rain or shine to find your next centerpiece to put across your table.  The show will feature the Saengar Theatre showing a silent film serving complimentary drinks.

If you’re feeling risqué wine and drinks will be offered throughout the event as well. Support the local scene, shop and get some exercise in.

For more information on a full list of locations: Fall Art Walk.