By the time you read this, you might already be watching “The Presidential Inauguration of Barack Obama.”
I’m off to M’s school to celebrate — the evite we got said, “A New Day For America. A New Era For Our School.” With pancakes for all!
If there are any Republican parents at her school, I feel for them.
Wish me the best, as I try to keep my emotions in check so as not to embarrass my sweet M. But no promises.
Politics aside, I’ve become fascinated by Malia and Sasha’s hair.
As you know, I’m the white mom of kid who was blessed with beautiful nappy hair. (I continually remind her how lucky she is: I used to beg my parents to let me get a perm so I could have curly hair.)
One of my after-hours blogging obsessions is to read advice for parents of biracial kids. (Yes, it gets that wild over here!)
One of my favorite blogs is Nappy Kitchen, who recently pointed out that the Obama girls’ hair is often pressed straight — instead of left “in its napptural state” or braided.
“How do you think the First Daughters will affect the self-image of your Biracial or Black daughter?,” asks Nappy Kitchen. “Do you think your cutie will identify with Sasha and Malia Obama?
Of course, no one is here to tell the girls how to do their hair — or not do their hair. But a mama like me would love the chance to get some behind-the-scenes tips!
Single Mom Odyssey recently led me to this post at The Root about Malia’s hair:
“We are all hungry for every minute detail about the Obamas,” begins Nikita Stewart in her post Why Malia’s Hair Speaks to Me.
Yeah, I’m hungry, too! How can I learn how to make those double-stranded twists?
Now, I’d love to know: Where did you watch the Inauguration?
Indulge me.
Photo of Sasha and Malia on their first day of school this month, from Obama-Biden Flickr photostream
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I’ll try and watch the inauguration from work today, but here in Canada we are living vicariously thru our American neighbours. The excitement is felt here and is inspiring.
Reading about M’s hair reminds me of picking up this magazine (http://swaymag.ca) and reading articles promoting nappy hair. Of course, the fashion models and the ads showed only women with straightened hair…
Bad Mummy´s last blog post…Reader’s Digest Condensed Version
I actually know how to do those double strand twists. One of those random skills I picked up as an elementary school teacher…who knew?
Watching the Inauguration,of course! More like inhaling every moment. Right now, alone with coffee and the newspapers. Later on, with friends.
What a grand and glorious day.
Dr.Leah http://www.singlemommyhood.com´s last blog post…Valentine’s Day party giveaway contest!
Afraid I can’t help you with the hair issue…
I will be watching Obama and America’s big day at home with my 3 year old. What a great day in history.
I also have a 1st date later tonight so the excitment and celebratory mood is a good backdrop. As long as he’s not republican!
MindyMom´s last blog post…Sex with the Ex
I was wondering when the focus would shift from Michelle’s wardrobe to her hair or the girls’ hair. Since they are in the spotlight, of course it’s going to be kept up and styles will likely frequently change.
I’m not the best at styling my daughter’s hair, but fortunately I do know how to make twists. I wash it and twist it, and she can wear those for a few days. Otherwise, if it’s a special occasion or she wants it down, we wait until it’s dry (usually the next day) then undo the twists and shape them with my fingers into cute curls.
As for the Inauguration, I’m not much for crowds (it’s just as crazy here in Chicago as it is in DC), but I’ll be glued to the TV. It is indeed a grand and glorious day!
I think I am in love with you… (for your straightfowardness.. I think that’s a word) and your daughter’s hair!
Pat´s last blog post…Almost missed it!
I love this post. As the father of an interracial child, I wonder what I’ll do with his hair. I’ve written often on my blog that living in my neighborhood makes it hard for me to find a haircut.
Kevin´s last blog post…Time to knuckle down
OH i forgot to mention in my last post, go to motowngirl.com, she mentions how to make double strand twits..hope that helps!
Pat´s last blog post…Almost missed it!
I’m watching live right now at work!!! Woohoo!!!
I’m going to an inaugural party later and the ex thinks that’s funny. Why is that funny? (He voted McCain, by the way…)
I had to explain to my children why MLK day was celebrated yesterday. Even though they seemed shocked that we ever treated people badly simply due to the color of their skin, I still don’t think they get what an amazing day this is.
I’m probably going to be bawling soon so… bye! Celebrate!
T´s last blog post…Let it be
I have a bi-racial daughter who happens to have almost completely straight hair. Though I miss the big beautiful ringlets she had a as a toddler, I am also grateful because at least I know how to handle my own kind of hair!
I work at a major theme park, and they put the Inauguration up on big screens in one of our soundstages and invited us to go watch. Some co-workers and I brought our lunch there and sat riveted with everyone else, clapping and cheering for our new president. It’s a very exciting day! I’m hoping my daughter’s teachers let them watch at least part of it at school today.
Kelly´s last blog post…Yes We Can
I was able to watch on my computer at work – up until five til noon when i had to go pick up Sadie from preschool. Then we listened to the rest on the way back to my office. The kids at her school were actually all together watching it in the conference room – which I thought was cool.
A historic day for certain.
Amy´s last blog post…Journal 121: January 2009 Feeling/Filling the Void ~ Part 3
I am a mother of two biracial baby girls and they have very soft lightweight long curly hair and I must admit being black and having “nappy” hair all of my life I love being able to play with their hair however there are times I wish I could just come it out and it stay! ha
on the Obama girls:
I wholeheartedly agree with Ellen and SavedBlackSister — who commented at Nappy Kitchen — and many who have posted here.
Their parents have done a fine job with their girls before they became political stars and I trust them to continue doing the same.
I look at it this way in a world where there is so much chaos if someone wants to wear their hair natural one day and pressed the next because that is what makes them feel good then nobody should really have the right to say anything. These are young girls who haven’t chosen to be the first black family and therefore every little black girls role models.
Plus I have two biracial daughters and we had a discussion about the girls and how pretty their hair looked today — so I guess more than anything, this could be a good time to have a conversation with your little ones about doing what makes them happy. And not also worrying about what other people are going to say that is what makes girls into strong young women.
ps Michelle is probably a product of her environment and if she is passing that same thing down well then they are off to a good start!
sorry some of my post was actually from nappy kitchen hence the names that have not posted on here. oops
I watched at home (as central NC was hit by snow storms all morning) with the girlfriend, daughter, and several of our friends. I then tried to explain to the daughter why I was crying.
As for hair, I have the opposite situation. The girlfriend and daughter are both blonds with straight hair while mine (when not bristle-length) is nappy much to the daughter’s utter fascination.
Kendall´s last blog post…A Brother’s Love
I watched online at work via cnn’s coverage. It was a great presentation and I too was awestruck. I look forward to seeing more about the “first daughters” this will be an interesting day with kids in the white house… again.
Katherine (SOLO dot MOM)´s last blog post…Online Dating versus Spontaneity
Bad Mummy: Thanks for that link!
Next time I see you, Dr. Leah, let’s have a “hair salon”?
Jenn: I love hearing from moms of biracial girls. Thanks!
I’m still glued to the TV… I did get a little weepy this morning. And M gave me a button: “Yes we did!”
I am biracial (African American mom, Russian father) and hated my hair most of my childhood even though my mother learned quickly how to braid and cornrow (I am the youngest of two biracial girls). When both my sister and I were old enough, we started using chemical relaxers in our hair (I think I was 12 or 13) and we both still do to now that we are grown (even tough I usually just wear my hair in its natural curls I like the option of blowing it out and without a relaxer I would not be able to do that).
I also have biracial daughters (African American, Russian, Irish & Italian) and they have different hair types. But both have thin enough hair (thanks to their father) that their hair is wash and go and I have yet to learn how to properly braid or cornrow. My niece is 1/4 white and her hair is almost always in braids and being only 5 years old, my sister has not yet chemically treated her hair and probably will not for some time.
I watch the inauguration at work streaming live on CNN.com and linked up to my Facebook account.
Ms-Educated´s last blog post…
My son has a cousin, who is half Barbadian, she has a beautiful barnet, but doesn’t it take a lot of looking after.
I haven’t taken in the inauguration, I am a bit of a straight-forward Brit. No room for razzmatazz, sentiment and protocol in my politics. Time for this geezer to actually get on with being as wonderful as everything thinks he is.
SingleParentDad´s last blog post…Only If You Say Please
My 9 year old biracial daughter and I were both home from school today…due to a snow day (although it never ended up snowing). We watched all day…had lunch on the couch while watching…and really enjoyed the day. As I sit here typing this we are still watching the parade on CNN. We talked a lot about today and this morning I had my daughter write an entry about how she feels about today in her 2009 scrapbook. I also felt overcome with emotion at various parts throughout the day and even shed a few tears.
School teacher here so I watched it in a classroom with the class… and another class that joined us…where I also watched 911…..felt our last big earthquake….saw the first mooon landing…took in the reports of the JFK and King shootings……….
Hair is a interesting topic for biracial kids. My boys don’t have course hair like me. My youngest likes to grow his hair out..and then put gel in it. Of course he can get away with it. My oldest likes to cut his hair short.. almost bald. He says it’s easier to play sports when it’s short.
A lot of biracial kids like to style their hair in different ways. So I’m sure the Obama girls will do the same.
I went to Outback with some coworkers and sat at the bar for lunch to watch the inauguration.
I have to say I am grateful I had a son because for my entire 9 months I worried I would know how to do her hair if my baby was a girl. Fortunately I had a son so I can keep it short and not worry. I hope you can pick up some good tips on doing her hair
Jen´s last blog post…Back in Shape
I’m just hoping Obama’s mere presence in The White House changes everyone’s perception — especially those who need it changed. There’s an element of “limitless” to the whole thing, and I pray it rubs off. For M and every other kid out there, I hope it carries something lasting.
Jorge Fitz-Gibbon´s last blog post…Eye-popping summer camp price increases
Had to burn my lunch hour to watch the inaug via CNN, which I was happy to do. I was very proud.
Lance´s last blog post…Is Sex a Distraction or Should We All Just Get Laid?
The Obama girls were beautiful today, loved their beaming faces while they watched their dad. Their hair looked fabulous as well!
Michelle Lamar´s last blog post…Jessica Knows: Top 10 Misconceptions About Mommy Bloggers
Working in a Veterans Clinic, you know we had it on tv in every waiting room all day. There were quite a few vets who stayed past their appointments to continue watching and everyone that came in was glued to the tv until they were called for their appointments. Luckily my desk is close enough that I was able to watch most of the day in between phone calls and things. My boys are biracial and though both of them have tightly curled hair, one of them has the texture of my hair and the other has coarse hair like his father. So far neither has wanted to grow his hair out so I haven’t had to figure out cornrows or anything like that yet.
I had some friends over to watch the inaugauration and gorge on junk food. I shed my first tears of the day when Sasha and Malia walked out to the swearing in. They looked so beautiful! I love the fact that littel girls all over the country will be looking up to them. I used to chemically relax my hair, but a few months ago, I cut it short and went natural. It amde my 3 yer old so happy. She says, “Mommy, you have curly hair like me!” I put her hair in twists a lot. I find it best to do it when the hair is wet. They stay better.
Tracey´s last blog post…Hair and other good stuff
Yesterday I watched the Inauguration at a friend of a friend’s home. Wonderful experience the oldest person in the room was 84 and the youngest person was 9 (my son). The elders shared stories of how they were part of the March on Washington, and how wonderful it is to see Barack Obama as the President of the United States. I cried a lot, and sat in awe and excitement of all that was unfolding. Never have I felt such a strong responsibility help a president carry out his grand plans. Now I’m convinced that I really can help to make the change so many of us want and need in this country.
It’s so great to hear all of your stories about the Big Day.
And thanks so much for all the hair advice… I need it.
My oldest daughter is 9 and biracial. She has gotten so in to this election and is in love with Malia and Sasha! I have had so much fun involving her in all aspects of the election from taking her in to the booth with me when I voted, to allowing her to stay up till the announced the new president, and then sitting on the couch while the new president was sworn in. The day before the swearing in we sat on the couch and watched Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream” speech and talking about the significance of that speech and what has happened this week. I am really enjoying sharing this with my daughter!
As far as her hair we struggle daily with it. She begged me to straighten it and didn’t really like it when I did. Wish I had a better solution but we usually just put it in a ponytail and put product in it to keep it from looking too frizzy.
Emily´s last blog post…Thursday Thunk #1