Professor Locs: July 2013

07/26/2013

Hey guys I am back...smile

Since my corporate liberation last September, I have been looking for work but have also been working on myself, and I believe I have found a new purpose.

Along with a wonderful creative team, I have been working on an independent feature film called “One Day In June.” This project has given me new purpose on so many levels.

For someone who taught creativity in an academic environment for more 20 years, I feel as if I have been reborn by immersing myself boldly and excitedly in the creative process. It is exhilarating to craft a comprehensive story as an editor through the many trailers I have created to promote our film.

The film is being co-written by yours truly, along with director Narcel Reedus. I am also sharing producer responsibilities with Angela Washington. The mission of ODIJ is to create more than a movie; we want to create a movement of absent fathers taking that first step to reconnect with their children.

The subject of absent fathers is a universal theme, as we have seen this topic discussed on Oprah’s OWN network with special shows featuring both Oprah and Iyana Vanzant. But we do not have to look outside our own community to know that the plague of absent father’s has become an epidemic.

I, along with our director and co-producer, were on a radio show promoting the film, and I shared this observation: We have always dealt with the concept of alternative family structure within the African-American community. But he problem we are seeing today is that many of our young folks are growing up not only without a father but with a pool of male authority figures to support them in their development.

Growing up, nearly all of my friends came from divorced homes. But like me, their fathers were still very much a part of their lives. We also had a plethora of other male figures from family, church and community.

As an educator, I have had to step in and become that father figure to so many young people. I took on that role sometimes at great emotional cost to myself because, quite frankly, the needs were just so overwhelming.

By making this film, we have an opportunity to send a clear affirming message to not just fathers but to everyone involved that it is not too late to step up and represent.

“One Day in June” for us is not just a movie but a movement. We all have within our circles someone we know who is not taking responsibility. In our silence we implicitly give them a pass to continue their pattern of indifference and neglect.

We must begin to redefine the notion of fatherhood. Mothers, no matter how angry, should not hold their children hostage because a father is not contributing what they feel they should financially. I do not remember checks from my father, but I do remember Saturday outings, fishing trips and basically time he spent with me.

I share all this to say that I have found something that makes me want to get up every morning. I feel alive, creative and full of purpose.

My evolution has brought many revelations, including that I must ask for help when I need it. That is why I am asking those that have supported me in my creative journey to support me and this film. Please join our Kick Starter campaign. We have only a few days left to raise funds so that we can make this affirming film that challenges historical images of black men and fatherhood.

I know many of you are members of churches, sororities, fraternities or other organizations that have similar initiatives that mirror the message of our film. Let us know how we can partner and support one another.

We often complain that there is not enough positive or affirming programming to view, so here we have an opportunity to not only support local filmmakers but invest and be a part of not only a film but a shift in consciousness as it relates to storylines for African-Americans.

Please visit our website http://www.onedayinjunethemovie.com.

On the site, you can view character trailers, fatherhood initiatives and contribute.

I spoke to my grandmother the other day, and she said she had been praying for me. I told her that I loved her for that and that I had been praying as well.

My new mantra is, “God has me,” and I hope my supporters have me as well…..smile.

ODIJ Chris Character Trailer from Charles Easley on Vimeo.

Posted at 08:39 AM in African-American, Film, My Life, Popular culture | Permalink | Comments (1)

07/01/2013

A Ban On Afro Puffs...Really?

I have shared in the past that I have three sisters, so I am familiar with the ritual and routine of dealing with a black girl’s hair.

I grew up during the hot comb era, and I got to see my sisters endure the sometimes-painful process of getting their hair straightened. I know they loved the summer time, especially when they got to rock more relaxed styles like afro puffs and braids.

I guess that is why I was intrigued by the story of a school in Ohio that wanted to change its dress code. The Lorain Horizon Science Academy would rather face the heat from a hot comb of an impatient and shaky grandmother than the heat they are facing from folks from the natural hair community.

When the school drafted a letter detailing dress code changes, it included the following line: “Afro-puffs and small twisted braids, with or without rubber bands, are NOT permitted.”

I really like how the blogger who first wrote about this story put this new policy into perspective when she said:

“It’s unclear what the administration means by small twisted braids, but if they are referring to box braids they are banning a protective style that black girls have worn for generations. Afro-puffs are essentially the black version of the ponytail (when pulled back our hair puffs out instead of lying down), and yet the rules do not have a ban on ponytails for students of other ethnicities.”

This seems yet another attempt to undermine black culture. Such a policy makes a statement that natural or ethnic hair is somehow less professional or appropriate. While we are accustomed to this happening on a consistent basis, it is very disturbing that such tactics are now aimed at young girls.

Afro puffs are not just a beauty statement but a necessary tool in a family’s ongoing hustle to keep things together. A busy mom or dad does not have time for intricate hair styles every morning, so a quick brush, a few rubber bands and some stylish afro puffs allow a family to keep it moving.

Well there was considerable push back from families about the new policy, so much that the school released an apology that included this line: “By no means did we have any intention of creating bias towards any of our students.”

No bias? So who did they think the policy would affect, little Mai Ling?

I think back to my Mom’s busy morning schedule. She had to get up early, not only get herself ready for work, but for three kids, and two of them were girls. She had to fix breakfast, pack lunches, gets folks dressed, and if she needed do a quick brush through the hair afro puffs were always a quick go-to style for my sisters.

Now imagine that you have sent your black girls to school with clean clothes, lunches packed, homework done and permission slips signed and they come home with some note or letter saying that their ethnic hair styles are somehow now deemed inappropriate for a learning environment.

If you were militant like my mom was, you would certainly not take such a decision lying down. You would get up the next morning and not only style both your daughters in afro puffs, you would fashion two makeshift afro puff balls to your sons as well. They would all be dressed in black pants with mini Black Panther t-shirts and sunglasses.

And although my mom would not condone kids with cell phones, she would temporarily purchase three cell phone with ring tones of “The Lady of Rage” -- “I rock rough and stuff with my Afro Puffs” -- to strategically go off when she dialed our numbers after getting the inevitable call from the principal’s office.

I think an apology is not enough for administrators at the Lorain Horizon Science Academy. They should be made to have their hair hot combed and/or braided, and not by a professional stylist but by some chain-smoking cousin who sells hair and fish plates out of her kitchen, who is oblivious to the cries of pain from her clients because she is too busy watching her soap operas. What are your thoughts?