BrownGirlsFly

It’s pretty exciting for us to see Michelle Obama showing her daughters the world. Last year they vacationed in southern Spain and this year a good will trip to Africa! What an amazing way to grow up!

It’s Mother’s Day here in the US.  While many might argue that it’s an artificial holiday created by greeting card companies, there is something special about setting aside the time to reflect on your life, the role your mother has played in it, and the chance to thank her for all the love and sacrifice [...]

There’s something inside me that wells like a raging river when I hear stories of violence, abuse and discrimination against girls and women. Grappling with these realities, has influenced the work of BrownGirlsFly. Not only do we want to encourage brown girls in the Western world to exercise their travel wings, we want to spend time understanding and aiding, where possible, the lives of brown girls globally.

Step 1 is knowledge. We cannot pretend to exercise social responsibility until we first understand that there’s a problem, what dynamics are feeding it, and what needs exist. As we learn more in the coming months, we’ll share the highlights with you. In the Broken Wings series, we’ll share moving stories of brown girls who need a bit of healing and repair before they can fly.

Today’s focus will be on the role of women in Indian society, the pressure to bear a male child, and the consequences which have resulted from the overemphasis on male value.

It’s undeniable … the free-spirited queen of NeoSoul, Erykah Badu is a brilliant wordsmith. Whether or not she represents your personal life philosophies or your preferred music genre, there’s something to be said for her fearless pursuit of self-reflection, uninhibited self-expression and continual reinvention.

For someone like me who’s been obsessed with sitting in the window seat since I was six years old, I implicitly understand the draw of her latest single and had to see what she was really vibing about. Indulge me as I muse about Erykah’s Window Seat lyrics and what they say about this traveling brown girl’s emotional journey.

BrownGirlsFly has been celebrating Women’s History all month. Among other things, this means we’ve been “vibing” to songs highlighting women’s collective strength, courage and wisdom. Think Indie Arie, Christina Aguilera, Queen Latifah, Tina Turner and other soulful women who’ve faced and overcome great challenges.

Have a listen and enjoy. Any good ones missing from the list? Be sure to let us know.

By 1911, International Women’s Day became a global institution which nearly 100 years later still serves as a strong vehicle for women’s rights protection. This movement has shaped my life as a women in America, and I want all women to experience the same freedoms. But, there’s a fine line between protecting an individual’s rights and respecting (and thus protecting) a culture and its practices. And, quite frankly, I don’t know which side of the line I fall on. Do I challenge a rite of passage because of its physical and emotional impact on a women? Or do I accept and embrace it as a cultural tenet? There are more questions than answers, but the resolution begins with dialogue and desire to understand. Join us in the conversation.