Body Positivity or Insecurity?

So, we’re just classless nowadays, aren’t we? I guess more skin is the trend. Instead of calling it what it really is, we’d rather label it as “body confidence”. However, I never knew confidence came at the expense of disrespecting yourself.

You can call it whatever you want to, but I’m going to call it what it is. Unless your profession involves prostitution, stripping, or the like, then your confidence is creating confusion. Confident women sell class, not ass.

I can remember when spandex was enough. It grips your figure and accentuates your curves. If sexy was what you were going for, then spandex was all you needed. When worn right, it gives just enough without giving too much.

When you leave nothing to the imagination, you’re exhibiting an insecurity, not confidence, body positivity, or whatever you’d prefer to call it. Confident women don’t need to advertise their body parts to make a statement. Their walk alone speaks volume.

I’m not criticizing. I’m correcting because we all need that. As a woman, I’ve had my own insecurities, but I never addressed them by putting my body parts on display. I’m not saying I’ve never shown cleavage or stepped just a little outside my comfort zone, but I’ve never made it my daily uniform. Moreover, my behavior did not change.

Today, I see too much “body” but much less “beauty”. I’m not referring to looks, for that type of beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. The beauty of a woman is made up of so much more than looks. Beauty is behavior and attitude. That’s what makes you attractive. Case in point: Let’s say two identical women are dressed the same. Yet one is loquacious, defensive, and aggressive, whereas the other one is peaceful, positive, and patient. Which one would you consider beautiful then?

Nowadays, most people don’t pay much attention to what you’re wearing until you start acting out. That’s when your lack of confidence starts to show. You want to be seen and heard but not judged. I regret to inform you that you’re judged on so much more than what you wear.

You’re judged on how well you can carry on an adult conversation. You’re judged on how well you perform on your job. You’re judged by insurance companies on how well you drive. You’re also judged on how well you can tell the lie your lawyer crafted for you. So why shouldn’t you be judged according to the way you dress?

The “little” you wear says a “lot” about you. You’re easy to spot but hard to please because you have so many demands. Women who have many demands usually bring nothing to the table, other than what they’re already showcasing. If wearing less makes you feel good about yourself, then you have some serious soul searching to do. Once you find yourself, people will then see below the surface.

“The body seeks what true beauty speaks.”

-Bianca A. McCormick-Johnson ✍🏽

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Block Evil Before You Become The Next Victim

Why is it okay for people we love to hurt others, as long as we are not the victims? Did you know it could be just a matter of time before they hurt you?

Some stuff really isn’t our business and should not become our problem, but that does not make it okay either. For instance, if your friend is cheating on her husband, you shouldn’t get involved. But you can encourage your friend to seek other ways of dealing with her marital problems before the situation turns out bad.

Nevertheless, if your friend openly admits to being a scammer and you say nothing about it, then you’re a part of the problem. As long as she’s not scamming you (yet), that does not make her behavior okay. You should tell your friend she is wrong and needs to stop immediately. Go a step further and disassociate yourself with her if she doesn’t stop. Otherwise, when she does it to you, you cannot say she didn’t show you who she was.

A relationship is only healthy when positive energy flows in both directions. Associating with a person who has negative energy or evil intentions is no different from listening to bad music. Whether you realize it or not, you are being negatively influenced, and no relationship is worth the risk.

If you happen to hit a rough patch, you just might think about how your friend got away with her last scam and consider it. You may not act on it, if you’re strong-willed and have morals. However, the thought probably would not have crossed your mind had you not been entertaining your scamming friend.

Evil is not limited to friendships. Some people are sleeping with the enemy; hopefully, not you. That influence is more dangerous than the friendship. It’s easier to pick up on bad habits of one you sleep with every day. More so, you are likely to become the next victim. Leave that relationship before it’s too late. If you’re married to that person, you should seek spiritual intervention.

Good always wins. It may not seem like it in some instances, but you will gain peace of mind and sleep better at night. And that’s what counts.

“You’re only as good as the company you keep. Be the change you want to see in your circle.”

-Bianca A. McCormick-Johnson ✍🏽

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Don’t Change Your Hair For That Job

During my quest for gainful employment, I went above and beyond to be the perfect candidate. I pursued higher education, certifications, and any training or skill that would make me a more valuable asset.

I’ve always had a polished appearance. Nevertheless, I made sure my hair was straightened for all my interviews. Now what would that have to do with anything? Let me explain.

I’m a brown skin Black woman with kinky hair, which was not the preferred look in corporate America. Well, we’re the only ones with kinky hair or as some would say, “nappy hair”. Though a lot has changed since then, I still don’t think they like our hair, especially at the forefront. That’s why you haven’t seen Michelle Obama or any other Black politician wear their natural hair. First Ladies of mega churches don’t do it either, and their job is to serve the Lord. Our natural hair is not attractive to the general public, and it’s not deemed professional.

Sadly, some of my own people would say things like, “She needs to do something with that hair”, if they were to wear it natural. To my other races, when I say natural, I mean without straightening or chemicals.

So, when I realized my hair was not helping me get any of the jobs I had interviewed for, I quit worrying about how it looked during the time of the interview, as long as it was presentable.

I already have one strike against me for being Black, a second one for being brown skin, and a third one for having kinky hair. Sounds like we’re automatically set up to fail. But the good news is, I no longer give a damn.

I interviewed for one of my previous jobs with honey blonde braids in my hair. The style I had is called kinky twists, and I was not ready to take them down. Black women do not spend money on fake hair and the service, then sit in a chair for several hours only to take their hair down after only one to two weeks of wearing it. I was like, it is what it is. If they are interested, they are going to hire me with or without these braids. And they did.

However, the acceptance did not change anything. I was still going to wear my hair how I wanted to at work. In fact, I went to complete my onboarding packet wearing corn rows straight to the back. Again, they were neat and presentable. Oh, but you should’ve seen the look on the Human Resources lady’s face. Guess what race she was?…🤔👀

Throughout the duration of my employment, I’ve worn wash and gos (wet, dry, and wild), silk presses, single and double ponytails (high and low), and braids (with natural and fake hair).

I didn’t wear wigs and lace fronts because I’m just not a fan of them. They make me feel like I’m wearing a hair hat, and I really just don’t like anything covering too much of my head for long periods of time, which is why I don’t really wear regular hats as much either. But, to each her own.

Every time I changed my hair, I received genuine compliments from white people as well as other races. This is when I learned that many white people actually admire our hair. I would get asked questions like, “Is it tight, how long does it take, how is it done, etc?” But I never took offense to any of it. They were just curious. One of my coworkers made me laugh. He was a cool white guy who had good camaraderie with everyone at the office. When I came to work with it straight one day, then curly the next, he was like, “Oh, you can wear it puffed out too!” I was tickled pink because I can tell he was confused😂. Little did he know is that our hair has a mind of its own. Not all white people are tone-deaf. Some really are just curious.

However, a few have come off as tone-deaf when I wore it straight, saying things like, “I like when you wear your hair like that, or it really changes your look.” Excuse me, miss? I don’t care what you like, neither am I trying to appeal to you. I like my her straight at times, but I like it curly more. We often straighten our hair for one of two reasons or both: for manageability or a different look. However, if you care to know my truth, I straighten it so I can make it to work on time.

In conclusion, “do you” when it comes to your hair. God gave you that head of sheep’s wool because he knew you would be creative enough to figure out what to do with it. Besides, you’re too unique and special to wear your hair the same way every day. As for me, I’ve been blessed with a work from home opportunity that does not require me to comb my hair at all 😊

“Your skills pay your bills – not your hair. If an employer doesn’t accept it, then seek work elsewhere.”

– Bianca A. McCormick-Johnson ✍🏽

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