Sista In Tokyo

What's it Like--- Part II Hair and Cosmetics

Today is beautiful!! I have to tell you, I believe Tokyo is a top contender for "The City with the Most Beautiful & Sunny Winter Days".  I ventured outside earlier to visit the supermarket.  I'm still suffering from a cold and it's full of sneezes and sniffles.  (I like the way sneezing feels though--hehehe).

Anyway, just thought I would continue Part II of the "What's it like being a Black Woman in Tokyo" question.  Something came to mind a few minutes and I thought I should share...

Makeup and pantyhose.  If your skin color is beyond 'caramel latte' dark, then cosmetics like foundation and pantyhose for your skin color just don't exist in this country.  So your options are a) bring enough with you b) have someone send you things periodically c) find it on e-bay d) whine about it while wearing the wrong shade.  (D isn't really an option....)  I wear MAC's Select SPF 15 Foundation (which I absolutely LOVE, by the way) and it's almost impossible to find my color anywhere.  So, whenever I come across it on e-bay, online, or whathave you, I purchase it.   

I highly recommend this ONline Store for your cosmetics needs  STRAWBERRY NET.  Not only did they carry my color foundation, they also have FREE shipping!  Seriously!!!  I don't think I've ever received free shipping for anything I've purchased online before.  I must admit, I was terribly skeptical, because their website is in terrible need of a design overhaul.  But only 4 days after my online order, a cute little white box with a purple ribbon arrived in the mail!  And inside..... it was my MAC foundation-- the real deal.  Sit highly recommends!

Sail On.... The Night Shift-- Having an Alabama Moment

Lionel Richie is cool.  Especially back in the day when my daddy would blast his records, Lionel Richie was just great!  And, you know he a fellow Alabama-ian.  But you know what, the Commodores were bada$$!  Case in point, "Sail On"....

Sail on is yet another song about moving on from a broken heart....  But the way the guys hooked it up, it becomes something serious!  Check out Lionel Richie in the video.. Check out the guy on the guitar and the guy on the bass.  (Sigh)  The throwback video and it's just a fusion of greatness!!! 

The lyrics of Sail On are are simple and in your face , they make you want to laugh because they're so honest!   Yes, I'm really hype right now.  Yes, I'm really hype about the Commodores.  hehehe, I'm an 80s baby (1980) to be exact and I have my daddy's love for great music.

My Pop (stepdad) loves the blues, and my daddy loves old school.

Anyway, I'm sick (coming down with another cold, running a bit of a fever) and about to go to bed-- but I just noticed the link to "Sail On" and "On the Night Shift" on my Firefox favorites toolbar.  "Night Shift" is another favorite-- because the Commodores are still wonderful, only missing Lionel Richie.  But, notice that the band is still cool.  Further, notice that the bass player is still breakin' it down! 

I just thought I would post randomly about the Commodores and because it was on my mind.  Instead of having a Tokyo moment today, I'm having an Alabama moment.  These songs take me back to ponytails, homework, playing outside all day, and smiling faces of family.

Yeah, I guess you could say I'm feeling a little homesick right about now....  These videos make me think of my daddy-- he used to have a cool afro.

Afros & Coffee

During my Sophomore year of college, I made the decision to stop relaxing my hair.  Before this time, I'd never seen my natural hair (except for the 'new growth' that is the enemy to relaxed hair.)  Of course, I'd seen natural hair on other women, but considered it a really 'radical' thing to do.  (chuckles and shakes head at my thoughts from back in the day)

So, Sophomore year was a serious time for me because it was the very first time that I saw my actual hair-- without straightening chemicals.  I was in awe and I literally looked in the mirror for about 10 minutes straight, pulling little strands here and there, viewing it from different angles and simple admiring what God gave me.

A Warning to White Women from A Black Man

This morning, I came across something that had me rolling on the floor with laughter!  And, since I like to share laughter and make others smile, I thought I'd share.

To Speak or NOT-- Yes, that really is the Question

Being born and raised in Decatur, Alabama I was taught certain principles by my parents and family.  For instance, I say "yes Ma'm and no sir" to people at least 2 decades older than I am, I say hi or "hey" to others as they pass (not everyone, but usually those I make eye contact with), and I am friendly and treat people with respect, from the homeless man on the street to the cafeteria lady serving food or the CEO of a company.  This is how I was raised, and this is what I try to practice on a daily basis. 

Based on my experience having lived in living in DC, L.A., Sendai and Tokyo Japan, I do feel that such principles are practiced more by people from the South.  Taking this step further, I would also say that blacks and hispanics, especially practice the principle of "speaking" to others like them, especially in situations where it may be unusual to see each other like ummmm.... Tokyo Japan.

Update: Earthquake Preparedness Images Re-Drawn!

The New York Times recently posted an interesting article on the questionable images of Black women in advertising. The article titled, "An Image Popular in Films Raises Some Eyebrows in Ads"  provides an interesting read on the popular use of heavy-weight, sassy, and humorous African-American women in movies and commercials. 

Apparently, a particularly popular Universal Studios movie theater preview featuring a large African-American woman pressing her two children against here bosom and screaming with a look of horror on her face as she rides the popular Jurassic Park ride, has raised more than a few eye-brows.  Take a Look...

Representin'-- Black People in Japan

Last week I had an interesting conversation over a cup of coffee with one my Japanese friends. We were discussing various differences between Japanese and American culture and making a few cultural observations about Japan and the United States.  You know-- the regular conversation.

We rambled on about various things for a moment and the conversation began to shift towards African-Americans in Japan.  He explained that he has often felt as if African-Americans in Japan, myself included, do things because they felt like they had to 'represent' and create a good impression for the rest of world.  I was surprised...

::Hip-Hop STYLE in Japan::

Keeping with my "What's it Like Being a Black Woman in Japan"- series, here's my perspective on hip-hop and style in Japan.

Unlike some other old school hip-hop fans my age, I don't consider myself a 'child' of hip-hop.  During the 80s, I was only an elementary school student when the hip-hop scene began.  But it was during this time that I made a connection with the music and culture while watching my uncles carry their stereos on their shoulders, teach new break-dancing moves to my big brother, and lace up their Adidas in the 'checkerboard' style the night before going to school-- (with me looking on irritatingly asking, "uncle Greg, when you gone teach me how to do it?"- every 3 minutes.)  I connected with hip-hop while watching my aunt Tonya and her friends make up dance routines to Salt-N-Peppa and 357 songs while developing names such as "Sweet T" and "D Nice" for their own female rap group.  For me, my aunts and uncles were hip-hop.  They were a part of something that I could only admire and watch from the sidelines.  And through them, my cousins and I all developed lil' girl crushes on Kid-N-Play, Curtis Blow, & Big Daddy Kane.  Through them, we developed dance routines of our own-- (to be displayed at the skating rink) and we even tried time and time again to create our on rap lyrics, which usually began like, "Well my name is T, and I'm the Bessst...." (oh my goodness!)  (I never would have imagined how good it feels to recall these memories.)  For me, this is where I began to understand the delicate relationship between music and culture.

"Why Japan? Why Not Africa?"... (Updated)

Ever since I first expressed initial interest in visiting Japan, I have often been asked the "Why Japan, why not Africa?" question.  This question has come from strangers as well as friends who were, for the most part, simply curious to know why I had chosen to visit an Asian country before an African one.  I used to be offended by this question, because at times it felt as if the person was attacking my motives (intentionally/unintentionally) for expressing an interest about learning about Japanese culture.

I'm sure you've come across the type.  Usually the vegan brothas and sistas with locs and afros who feel as if everyone should eat and think as they do.  And if for one moment you just so happen to disagree with their philosophy of life, then they simply write you off as being 'unconscious' and not down for the cause. Well to them I say, "Been there & done that (Freshman & Sophomore year).  Have pictures if you'd like to see them."

What's it like?... Being a Black Woman in Japan

Before arriving to Japan in 2003, I constantly searched the web and read books trying to answer the many questions I had about Japan. I wanted my first experience going outside of the borders of the United States to be a positive and memorable experience.  I wanted to learn about another culture, learn another language, and meet as many people as I could.  I didn't want my experience to be filled with four months of derogatory comments and racist reactions from people judging my skin color.  So, I searched the web in attempt to learn a little about Japan from several diverse perspectives.  Though I found several informative "being in Japan" blogs and website from the white-male and female perspective, with the exception of Black Tokyo a web forum developed for those interested in learning about Japan from a Black perspective, I found a more diverse perspective to be lacking. Thus, the Creation of Sista in Tokyo, August 2003.