A letter to my daughters

My youngest rockin' her natural crown.

Last week my youngest daughter cried because I put her hair in an Afro. She said people would make fun of her. My oldest wrote and essay on how at times her skin tone made her feel ugly. And my middle daughter cries when they tease her at school. I can hug them and love them til they can’t stand it but there are images everywhere feeding into their insecurities. The only Black Disney Princess was a frog for 90% of the movie. Fashion magazines didn’t accept braids until Kylie wore them. The imagery and messages are incessant. So I wrote this to remind them of their beauty.

A LETTER TO MY DAUGHTERS

So what you don’t look like a princess,

Paraded around on TV and movies with long flowing hair.

You don’t have a tiny little nose and big blue eyes.

Don’t cry when you look in the mirror.

Don’t worry that others might not understand the beauty

That God designed just for you.

He gave your hair the ability to stand up

And reach out towards him so he’s always that much closer.

Your melanin allows you to bask in and absorb his ever-loving glory.

Use those full lips to announce your presence and demand respect.

Those thick thighs and broad shoulders will allow you to carry on.

You can’t be broken.

He made you that way on purpose.

You never need to cry

Because the generations before you have cried rivers so you don’t have to.

Your body and your hair tell

one of the greatest stories ever told.

Wear it proudly as you write the next chapter.

My youngest rockin’ her natural crown.

 

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Lanae Lumsden
Lanae is lifelong Pittsburgh resident with a brief stint in Ohio for her high school and middle school years. Most of her life she lived in Wilkinsburg but recently became a resident of the north boroughs. Lanae holds an associates’ degree in fashion merchandising and a bachelor’s degree in business management. After college, Lanae, entered the insurance and financial services industry by becoming a licensed agent and a claims specialist. Lanae also is an advocate for cloth diapering and baby wearing. Through her website drybabies.org she offers information and sources offering cloth diapering to all women and families in need. With two boys and 3 girls ranging in ages from 18- 2 most of her time is spent traveling to ballet lessons, band practice, and cello lessons. Also, two of her children are special needs and require various appointments and therapy. When there is time left, she enjoys writing, sewing and cooking. She is currently finishing up her first novel with more already in the works. With a love for travel, Lanae and her family have been to 5 different Caribbean islands and 2 countries in South America. So, look to hear more about the organized chaos that is traveling with 5 kids.