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| Smiling French Singer Inna Modja |
A SMILE is one of the most wonderful human expressions one can make. A smile denotes pleasure, happiness, and sociability. In fact smiling provides a positive feedback loop to our brain which generates a more positive feeling from within. So contrary to what some people belief a genuine smile does not show a sign of weakness but rather a powerful gesture when used correctly.
Over the last 15 years or so, there’s been a heartening evolution in the works that I’ve been proud to be involved with. A while back, I launched le coil, a curated collection of natural-hair web finds and original photography. The more I worked on it, the more I started to realize that it was helping me explore a facet of the black female experience that went beyond just hair. I noticed that I instinctively leaned more toward more joyful expressions and regal poses, faces basking in natural light, and an overall tone that was warm, relatable, and encouraging. There had been countless conversations with friends where I lamented something along the lines of “I just want to see brown ladies having a delightful time and riding bicycles — and maybe having some brunch.”
Right now with the advent of the internet culture there are new range of ideas and concepts and archetypes. As of now the new archetype I am completely enamored with is the carefree Black girl.
A carefree Black girl is aware of the political and social climate but does not let the negativity consume her or let negative stereotypes define her. So she goes about her day to day being fantastically brown and glowing, enthusiastically happy, wearing her hair proud and crowned in floral headbands, and of course dressed in bright stylish clothing. However for me what tops off the look of a carefree Black girl is the all in the spirit of an authentic smile! When another Black woman smiles all the Brown angels harmonize in union ship. Okay, okay I know I'm being just a tad bit silly or a bit fanatical about smiling but...it's true :) If I was a person to constantly be a consumer of mainstream culture and entertainment you would swear Black women almost never smiled, because according to them Black women mean mug, smirk, nod and salute fists in anger but almost never smile. With the current political and social climate Black women have every right to display a current range of unhappy emotions. But to see Black women still smile through it all day by day and to not constantly wear emotions on our sleeves is a truly wonderful thing. Seeing another smiling carefree Black girl is a like sign your allowed to be stylish and whimsical and just plain awesome basking in your own brown beauty!
Wonderful post! I love the Carefree Black Girl movement (even though I don't exactly fit the look). I also love seeing a black woman smile genuinely, it is heartwarming. Plus, Inna looks so lovely. That picture is one of my favorites. :)
ReplyDeleteHey girlie, thank you :) Where have you been?
DeleteYes that's one of my favorite pictures of Inna too. What's your look exactly?
Hey Colleen! :) I am in school, so I haven't really been able to comment much, but I have read your recent posts. As for my look I don't really have one yet. However, I really like the Parisian style. I was trying to cultivate a look, but I realized that it was based off of what I read on other blogs. I was trying to mold myself into preferring the vintage or girly style of dress, but I read a blog post by the blogger of the Proper Lady and I realized that I don't have to mold myself into a certain type of femininity. I was moreso referring to my interests, as I am a nerd/geek and not really a girly girl.
ReplyDeleteOkay that's great to hear high school or university? I just started classes this week at university myself.
DeleteOh yes the Parisian style is quite nice I believe they gave us the art of chic style.
Okay I understand, yes cultivate whatever style feels best for you as long it aids in you cultivating your version of femininity :)
Cool what are your particular interests?
I attend an early college, its my last year actually. My particular interests are reading (i.e. The Hunger Games, Harry Potter, etc.) video games, cartoons, anime, sci-fi/fantasy/adventure/superhero films (i.e. Marvel, The Hobbit, etc.), and recently I have been learning how to play piano.
DeleteOh great :) I'm a very big Harry Potter fan myself, I have the entire book series and the game board too. Mmmm I watch Marvel movies from time to time with my father.
DeleteOh that's wonderful, I always wanted to learn to play the piano. Are you learning at your university or through personal lessons? I'm not too familiar with classical music compositions but I do love a few modern film composers.
I always get excited when I find someone that is a fan of Harry Potter because I tend to see that moreso online than offline. Which house are you in? I'm Ravenclaw. I have never played the gameboard. Is it like Scene It or another type of game? I am learning at my community college, it is a keyboard fundamentals class. Actually, I just learned how to play Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, so its not anything advanced, the instructor informed us that that's another class. Lol.
DeleteI'm in Ravenclaw too. The sorting hat says I'm witty,capable, and intelligent :) I have never played Scene it but its a trivia board game with two sets of cards, marbles, and toy pieces. Okay cool, good luck with your piano classes and always practice practice practice :)
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