Celebrating Us this Black History Month.

> Dressed in Igbo attire for an Ibiriachi (Madam), with natural untreated hair, braided in pig's tail braids. This hair-do cannot be worn to the office of course, but goes very well with traditional attire and headgear. Relaxed natural and coiled hair, which involves chemical treatments and rollers, or long braided hair with synthetic or natural attachments, or wigs made from synthetic fiber or natural hair offer choices for hairstyles to the office. Low cut natural hair, while

convenient is also not very easy to maintain. Black hair and the care of it remains a problem which is also a multi billion dollar industry taking money from the black community and not bringing much

into it.

February is Black History Month in the United States. With the tight economy, not much is happening this year for Black History Month despite the fact that for the first time in the history of the United States, a black man is in the White House as the President of The United States of America.

Black people across the globe continue to struggle with several issues. The recent devastating earthquake in Haiti thrust the bleakness of the lives of black people to the awareness of the whole world once again. With it came the numerous reasons behind the tragedy of the nation of Haiti, the first black independent nation in the world. Destined by design to fail from the beginning, Haiti has continued to struggle until this total collapse which will make room for a rebuilding.

Haiti is not alone. Many black nations continue to struggle, even when blessed with immense wealth. Nigeria is a good example. Blessed with crude oil which generates billions of dollars annually, Nigerians continue to live in abject poverty and squalor. After almost fifty years of independence, Nigeria is yet to get her footing right. Taking a close look at the foundations, the same kind of manipulations seen in the case of Haiti are evident again, deliberate flaws in the foundations to guarantee failure. Nigeria continues to struggle to gain her footing and stand as a nation. The problems facing her are numerous and difficult. To cut across these problems and build a formidable nation, Nigerians,need to make some personal changes individually.

Most of the problems we have as Black people come from the fact that we do not appreciate ourselves how much more each other. We do not appreciate ourselves as God's creation which results in our trying to be who we are not, the other person. Trying to be who we are not results in a myriad of problems which sprout negative feelings like hate, jealousy, senseless competition, strife and all the accompanying ills. We never trust each other.

I know that what will come to mind for some when they read trying to be who we are not, is the hair, the wigs, attachments and braids black women wear. There was a drawn out discussion on one of our forums on the subject. The conclusion drawn at the end, in my opinion was that black women wear braids from artificial and natural sources or even wigs because the African hair is very difficult, if not impossible to manage. To have African hair in the form and shape acceptable in a place of employment, these aids become necessities. The African hair perfectly fits with the reality of the African environment, so it is not in any way inferior to other hair.

By appreciating ourselves, I mean our inner selves and our numerous blessings collectively and as individuals.

After watching two video clips on Africa posted by a sister on the forum yesterday, I was moved by the beauty of Africa, which we as a people have not noticed or cherished, how much more promoted.

To get to that level of cherishing our homelands and continent, we must cherish our individual selves first. I guess the reason I was that moved by the video is because I have been thinking about Africa especially the Igbo lately during this black history month. Twice this month I wore ethnic clothing and jewelery to work, a long authentic kente skirt with a matching one color top, a Nigerian fabric outfit, with cowrie beads and earrings, small Nigerian leather bracelets and each time it made people around me remember that this is Black History Month and light conversation on Africa, the Nigerian movies and other positive conversations followed.

We have so much in us as individuals and as a people and we have allowed the gifts and talents lie dormant while we engage in useless strife cutting each other down for various reasons be it political, religious or ethnic/tribal. Nigerians are only remembered for fraud and recently terrorism. Numerous contributions by Nigerians are deliberately overlooked and downplayed.

Many of us failed to transfer our languages to our children, a very grievous offence indeed which has deprived our children of a very important asset. It has been heart warming to read some of the attempts to communicate in the various Nigerian languages on some of the forums. It is a good sign. A sign of good things to come. We need to celebrate who we are, who God created us to be, and appreciate each other, even with our differences, and project that appreciation to the world. Only then will they respect us. Thanks for reading.

Nwada (Lady) Chinwe Enemchukwu

Onye Uwa Oma

na Orlando, Florida.