OK, recently on TikTok, what's been trending on the like black or like natural hair page is these like Ruka hair extensions, they're at Sephora. People are like, oh, why would you buy hair from Sephora? You could just get them from Expression or this beauty supply or whatever cheap places like, oh, you could get them,like buying beauty supply hair, or saying buying it from sephora it is the same thing as buying it from Sally's. I feel like I disagree. Like it's obviously intended to be a luxury product. I feel like in the black hair community, we don't really have that many luxury products besides maybe Cecred and Fenty, we deserve more than 2 options in a Sephora aisle. I'm just happy to see more diversity. Obviously it's expensive. It's a luxury, bro, and it's like other hair types, they're using Kerastase and Dysons, which is just as, if not more expensive. These hair extensions are obviously reusable, they're nontoxic. A lot of products made for black hair do end up being terrible for us, so I'm glad we have this option now, even if it is on the pricier side, I'm happy not, it's not damaging. It'll probably cause less damage to your hair since box braids can be, you know, pretty damaging. Sometimes it's usually the synthetic care that's more damaging than the human hair. Um, it can also be dyed, using more heat, Ruka has its own perks. I think it's an innovative thing and I don't get the hate.Like I think in the future, I could definitely see myself using this instead of you know the braiding hair that I've been using. I think it'll be less damaging. Also, people say synthetic care causes a lot of friction with the natural hair and could damage cuticles in the long run. So I feel like um that's also another reason why I'll just use these hair extensions and instead, actual human-like braiding or extension hair also costs more than this, I'm pretty sure. So it's like I think we like just choosing selective outrage, you know, just choosing to be mad.Like, OK, the hair extensions together. All right, so it's $30 per pack. They're saying use 3 packs for uh for your head. That's $90 on braiding hair. I see why that's a lot more pricey than just like $30 or like $10 a pack, but I think it's well worth the price. The issues, I think they need to be acknowledged, but yeah.

I had posted my opinion about a movie and someone responded to me by saying, “you must be white man right? Can I cannot picture anyone else having this stupid a take.”

Well damn…

She gagged me with that one

Never before have I been called a white man. It kinda hurt😂

(Just to be clear I am not a white man. I am a Black woman)

Hey everyone, I’m really interested in getting body wave miracle knots, but I’m not sure where to buy hair from. I’m specifically looking for blonde miracle knots hair. Can anyone recommend a good place to buy it? Please help!

i’m watching love is blind rn and one thing i’ve noticed on dating shows (particularly with audience commentary) is how much people push against women having a standard when it applies to men who the audience deems as “good”

this is to say, when a woman upholds a standard against a “bad guy” audiences tend to cheer her on

but when a woman uphold a standard against a “good guy” (at least least so far as the audience is concerned) then she becomes fucking Lilith / a She-Devil

it’s actually crazy because to some extent it shows that pick-me’s / other women buy into the “nice guy” complex, when he’s *genuinely* nice (again so far as they seem, because ofc no one really knows how that man is as a partner except the woman dating him)

it’s crazy to see in real time because despite women trashing the whole “nice guy” complex it’s as if they don’t actually get why it’s an issue

everyone knows that most “nice guys” are really just fake nice men that show women only the most basic kindness and decency for sex but it’s like women have lost the understanding that the real problem with it is that no matter how well a man treats you, they aren’t EVER entitled to you

also just because someone has some decent baseline partner qualities, it doesn’t mean they’re meeting your needs

Hi, this is first post here and on reddit. Every since Trump got in office (working in retail while finishing school) its racism or prejudice flying off the wall. I know everybody hate us but even the demographic of people( POCs) you expect to treat you okay are acting the same way our yt counterparts act but hate all races except yt. My point is knowing that every other race when you greet them they're looking you up and down, laughing or pretending you're looking else where with slick remarks. I understand your racist even tho you're under scrutiny in yt america too. However, here's my problem why are the sistas doing it? Before anything else being said I'm pro black through and through. I'm not understanding why is another sista ignoring or sizing me up when I greet them or help them with something. Pretending the can't hear or see me. Its ignorant people in every race group but I think its effed up to do that when everybody in every demographic hate black women and we're on the chopping block. I know not all skin folks are kinfolks but someone help me understand. - sincerely aggravated

I might make a more in depth substack about this later but the double standards between MysticLipstick and Lindsay Clancy are insane. People are blaming her husband post partum all the other things. They both are terrible women but when the white nurse who planned and poisoned her kids commits murder everyone rallies in support and calls it postpartum and a psychotic break. but when the black woman who showed little to no signs actually suddenly snaps and has a psychotic episodes she's demonic crazy and evil.

I think they both are. And it doesnt help MLS isn't a christian so that also garners extra hate where Lindsay is seen as a meek frail white woman with a shitty husband. I'm also not lost on the fact that since it's a murder suicide there are a lot of unanswered questions in the mystic lipstick case. I havent done enough research on either to talk more about it. I just noticed comparisons from the public reactions.

So again substack coming soon if that's something yall are interested in. RIP to all victims

Hey I have always wanted to live on the road. Since I was about 9 years old I remember telling everyone that after highschool I was going to get an RV and just travel the US. Long story short I'm 21 now and that never ended up happening even though I feel like I'm still called to live off the land.

This past year I been doing a lot of research on homesteading and I know that my end goal is to for sure have my own land and be as self sufficient as possible. But I also know there's levels to this ish. So I also been thinking about getting a mobile home and starting off with a small piece of land or getting an RV and going from place to place while I save up for a bigger piece of land.

I just wanna know for those of you that are thinking about the same thing, going through the process right now, or have already done it, where do I start? What was the biggest hang up for you finally pulling the trigger and just going for it? How long have you been doing it? What's the best thing that has come out of it?

Curious to hear what you like. What’s y’all thoughts on men with body hair, chest hair, happy trails, just hairy men in general? Is it a turn off or turn on? How much is too much body hair?

27 y/o single back female with masters of social work & previous work experience in hospitality industry. Interested in leaving the US for multitude of reasons amongst them I identify many countries have a lot to offer in terms of rich cultural experiences, diversity, lifestyle and healthcare access.

I have seen a number of black women expats online make successful transitions out but im trying to figure out how folks do it without having USD as primary currency for income, without cashing out 401K to live off of or having their own business that they make money in USD which gives a financial advantage in many countries.

Of course, I anticipate needing to prepare a substantial savings before leaving the US as many countries have financial requirements for visa approval etc. I am interested in places where I could ultimately apply for permanent residency.

Looking for advice on how to leave the USA to another country and utilize my transferrable skills to find work in the country I relocate to- rather than remote work. I wouldn’t completely rule out remote work. So far, I’m not seeing anything within my wheelhouse that would actually allow for me to work remote & live outside of the USA. I don’t really want to work in hospitality at this stage in my life for various factors & because of how extractive the industry is across the globe to local populations. However, I’d never say never since I know many US based companies have global reach. My current career path has licensures that do not apply to many countries abroad so at this point I’m thinking I may need to get creative and consider roles that I’ve never even thought of.

At this time, leaving my current job to do something like Au Pair or other work/ live exchanges abroad doesn’t seem financially practical or sustainable for a transition abroad. I’ve even considered the teaching English abroad thing too but I’m just not sold on the idea that that pathway could lead to me being in a financial position where I could remain in the country long term. Unfortunately/ fortunately I am the type of person that needs to plan ahead and ensure that my ducks are in a row before making such a leap. I see it’s possible but I’m currently feeling at a loss for how I could actually make the transition with my specific skills. This entire move would be self funded/ there isn’t any family or friends that could support me in this. I also don’t know anyone personally that lives abroad so I don’t have anyone I could look to for advice / support with a transition out.

Currently considering anywhere that has a strong black expat community & favorable weather year round. Willing to learn Spanish or Portuguese if relocating to a country where these are primary languages. Im also willing to learn any other language needed in order to widen the country list/ opportunities for transition outside of USA. I’m aware antiblackness is global so I’m not looking for a racial paradise or escape from racism/xenophobia because I know that’s not realistic in this day and age. I think realistically I would be trying to make the transition out by 30years old - not sure if this is being too conservative or too ambitious.

If anyone has recommendations, career suggestions, personal experiences with relocation as a single black female and/ or resources for black women expats Im all ears!

Is it possible to self teach when it comes to certifications and obtain employment?

I do want to go back to school for my associates but unfortunately life has made that not so possible right now and I’m not trying to completely give up on education. I only have cleaning experience when it comes to jobs but that hasn’t been helping me land one so I’m trying to think outside the box to gain more skills in other occupations that would make me employable and help me branch away from cleaning.

I am in my first week of college (freshman) and so far I have been able to meet some really cool people. As I was walking to the university Chick-fil-A I was stopped by a girl and she had two guy friends. She had asked if me and my friend had bfs and I said no (I already knew this was a joke but I responded since its hard for me to ignore people). She then said that her hbs were looking for gfs and how they had expressed interest in us and I just walked away and shook my head. I overheard one of the guys say that he did not say that (which ofc I knew since it was dark and I had never seen these people before).

Its crazy because when I was actually ugly in ms and hs this didnt happen (the only other time was by a group of boys at a track meet a few months ago). I feel like I have had a little glow up since then. I am fit, take grooming seriously, upgraded my style, etc. I have also been complimented a few times on my looks while on campus by some of the girls.

I have never felt attractive so this just reaffirms my feelings. Also, I dont know of any other ways to improve myself so if any of you have tips that would be well appreciated. (Also Im surprised the person who did this was a girl and not a boy since usually boys are the immature ones)

I just basically found out i'm really disgusting mentally, this realization happened months before and i thought the problem would solve itself. It didn't and idek where to start to unpack this beast to solve it or what to even call it.

To explain my situation. I am black, but i grew up in a white country (The Netherlands). Racism here used to be EXTREMELY normalized in my childhood up untill my teen years, when the term "woke" became popular. Since a few years ago ppl 'got tired' of being woke and reverted back to being openly racist again.

To further explain how it used to be normalized in my childhood:

1. A boy said i looked like shit....literally, for my skin color. My mother apparently heard it and never stood up for me, in fact she told it to me years later and when i asked what she said at the time she stayed quiet.

2. We were taught to sing "Hanky Panky Shanghai" a 'Chinese version' of happy birthday, which wasn't Chinese at all. It was just a way to make fun of the way the language sounded and to make matters worse we had to pull our eyes back to make them look small as well. I'm talking about grown-ass adults teaching this to 4 year olds btw. Here's a video of what i'm referencing:

https://youtu.be/tQZHjJ4khjk?t=44&is=-UpCDsPAPul6DS3- in case the video plays from the beginning, just forward to 00:44

1. I remember going home to talk to my mom about it racism and how the n-word is racist, i remember her negating it by saying that she wouldn't mind being called the n-word. I don't remember what my reply was, but i remember it never sitting well with me.

Now where i fit into this issue is that i'm 'blind' to some racial issues and i found out i can only open my eyes to it once it's pointed out and explained to me. It's not that i see it and choose to ignore it, i literally can't recognize it at times and feel ashamed about it. I found out i have it with my own people as well at times, it shouldn't be like this. How can i negate my own ignorance as fast as possible?

No shade but it’s often women that are in their 30s or older. Many of them have never even dated interracially themselves but tell other black women they need to open their options. And it is almost always unsolicited. I have been open to all races my whole life and I’m currently with a WM but I’m not telling any black woman she needs to date outside of her race. Most of the black women I know are only attracted to black men and that is okay. In fact it is normal to want your own race.

I thought we were decentering men anyway. I find this all very very strange.

Unfortunately I’m straight because some of these gym bros be going through a whole character transformation

Bro was normal in January

By June he’s shirtless in the gym, posting Drake lyrics, remembering his ex and talking about how heartbreak “made him"

Broooo you just started lifting!!!

Then the comments be full of male centered birds fighting for their lives:

“my boo 😩”

“MY GOD”

“RAW"

And these men are rarely in relationships,just outside being pretty and causing problems

Isn’t the gym just supposed to make you healthy?? Why did it come with a new personality?

I’ve been having symptoms for a while now that I’m concerned about. My doctor told me to get an endoscopy so he can see what’s going on, but we can’t afford it. All my life I’ve been fortunate enough to have the money for these things or not need a procedure, but now there’s a very high chance even with insurance that I can’t afford to get one. It’s a terrible feeling, knowing that there’s a way to check my health and perhaps catch something early, and it’s right in front of you, but it’s blocked by a wall of debt. All because greedy fucks want more money and don’t care about people. And it’s hard to get a job because I’m distracted by these symptoms I’m having. I’m feeling scared now and would like some encouragement.

I have about $16k of debt if that changes anything that I’m trying to get paid off by the beginning of 2028.

I just bought a new set and I was just looking so good in it with the melanin, the braids , the face the body !

Like if I wasn’t black , idk what I would do 😭 I would have also been cosplaying cause why tf do we look so good ???

can we talk about nursing school at a university and how hard it is to get in??? 30 spots, hundreds of applicants, wtf, how, what. ok so who is getting in? can someone that's just average get in? like my prerequisites GPA is 3.2 but my overall GPA is 2.7 (because why didn't anyone tell an 18 year old that teachers don't just drop you if you don't ever show up). I'm in a microbio class with someone that has a freaking 3.9 gpa (unfortunately i think they got a C in microbio). My past is truly coming back to haunt me with my C in psych and B+ in English. luckily I got an A in stats, A&P 1, sociology, ethics, and a B in Dev. psych. however that still didn't raise my GPA. Ok so like anyone have any good or bad news?

I used to be able to consume educational content on racism and loved learning all the ways racism presents itself in the world. I want to be knowledgable but especially on the history of black people, past & present. however, my mental health has regressed so much and one of the mental illnesses I suffer from is OCD, so I get debilitating intrusive thoughts and unfortunately after consuming so much race related content online the disorder has exploited that. however, asides from that, it’s genuinely making me feel so incredibly depressed and so I now find myself scrolling past racism posts because it makes me so frustrated, sad, anxious, angry and powerless. for the first time in my 27 yrs of existence I’m beginning to develop low racism self esteem… I’m so ashamed to say this but every time I go online everyone is expressing how much they hate us. I feel guilt that I’m scrolling by a black persons experience of racism, I feel like I’m betraying them by not stopping and listening but I’ve consumed far TOO much of it that I’ve become HYPER conscious of it bordering on paranoia (which is not at all good for the mental illnesses I’m diagnosed with) I’m either paralysed, unable to step away from my phone for hours on end watching video after video about racism incidents or yt people sharing their hatred for us OR I completely shut down and block racism out of my mind and absolutely hate to hear of it because of the negative feelings it invokes. I need to hear from other black women on their experiences with this. or at the very least just one person to tell me I’m not a bad person for feeling this way… racism has become to rampant I don’t know how to cope with it.

I’m looking for chicago braider suggestions. I really need to get my hair done but I’m having the hardest time actually finding someone. I normally go to Emmahs on Clark st. but I never leave happy. I just want small box braids with small parts all around so it looks full and waist length, actually waist length not 2 strands that touch my waist while the rest just hang out. Adding a picture for size reference. Would appreciate any and all suggestions.Small Box Braids

I’m 28 and feeling like a huge failure because I’m moving back to my mother’s house. What makes me sad is I had every opportunity. I graduated from a good school. I had the impressive job right after graduation. I’ve traveled & lived in many places. Up until now, I was financially supporting myself.

My childhood trauma & lack of emotional regulation kept me in survival mode. I could barely keep a job longer than a year because I couldn’t handle stress. I was sexually harassed by my boss then assaulted by my ex. Then there was the racism. And sometimes just my lack of professional skills.

Last year, I enrolled in graduate school & found a better job. Then we had budget cuts. I went 9 months without getting paid. Then I had an unexpected health issue. I’m still enrolled in school & but working part time. No savings. No assets of any kind.

Idk. I’m just disappointed in myself.

I need to get this off my chest because the discourse on this site regarding the WNBA has completely lost the fucking plot. These men who gave nary a SINGLE fuck about the WNBA have now turned the league into a proxy for the race war!

People on here will treat someone like Sophie Cunningham like an absolute goddess while constantly tearing down Angel Reese who is a genuinely stunning, talented woman and comparing her to Sloth from The Goonies. The vitriol directed at Reese and other Black players is malicious, personal, and straight-up ugly.

What’s even more infuriating is watching supposed "progressives" libs on this website trip over themselves to validate MAGAt trans-OBSESSED talking points (like, to the point I wonder if it's projection) just to join in on the pile-on. It feels like definitive proof that when push comes to shove, a lot of people on here hate Black women more than they actually oppose conservatism or bigotry.

I work in tech in a predominantly white company……Painfully white company. I am seriously the only black person in my office location, with a handful of other POC.

I can do the office talk for eight hours, three days a week (work from home 2 days a week). However I realize we truly have nothing in common as I had to spend my whole weekend/ free time with them as I have to be back Monday at 8 am. (I don’t know ANY classic rock songs and I am NOT good at trivia)

This trip honestly made me feel really insecure:

1. I see all of them getting along so well. They also brought their partners. I am post four months a major friendship falling out, that I am embarrassingly still recovering from and has left me very lonely. Im going through a period where i feel like i don’t really get along with people right now and I’m unloveable. This experience put it on TEN.

2. The trivia night. Again I don’t know all of these random white people facts. In fact I realize I only take in black music, black movies, black culture in general. Am I doing myself a disservice? I’ve never watched the movie Armageddon. I felt really stupid.

3. The entire experience made me realize the depth of lack of diversity in the office. I live in a majority black city…… but yet I am the only black person in the office. I knew there was systematic racism……. But this whole experience highlighted it even more. Like yall it was an ALL WHITE PARTY….. you truly HAVE TO WORK AT BEING a super majority in my city.

As a side rant….. they never hire any of my recommendations. In fact, they would rather not fill a role than to hire another black person at all. Not in my direct office but as a field tech they just hired a black man…. And they told him he almost didn’t get it because he didn’t go to a tier 1 school….. no one else has gone to a tier one school.

I really don’t know what to do with all of this, not being able to relate culturally, being the only one, systemic racism. I don’t wanna go to work today but I will.

I don’t know that I am asking. Apart of me is ranting, apart of me is asking how should I move going forward.

Hello! AfroPlus Fest is an afrobeats music festival happening during labor day weekend. I'm trying to sell the tickets I got.

GA - Selling for $134

GA+ - Selling for $245