From time to time we discuss names black Americans give their children. I have seen some pretty outlandish names encroached upon innocent children black and white alike who have to grow up and live in this society. Some names subject children to endless bullying. Having survived childhood teasing and possible bullying there is employment to consider. It is indeed unfortunate, but some names will net resumes right into the trash can. In the case of black Americans it seems unfair, but this another one of these near unprovable discrimination cases.

I stumbled across this video of the fabulous Barbara Hillary a couple years back and revisited it today. As a relationship coach, I meet many women who don’t think they could go across town alone. Some will call their mothers for something as simple as breaking a necklace, or have a fit if they can’t figure out how to program a simple XM satellite station. Their families have done a job on these types. These women were not brought up to be independent. Any inkling of dreams were quickly dashed insuring mental dependence on a mother or siblings. I wish I could say I was shocked, but I am not.

Many in the world were horrified to hear of an 8 year old Yemeni bride named Rawan who died on her wedding night. The poor little baby’s body was abused to the point of internal bleeding that caused her death. That was too much for most of us to imagine as we look around at our own daughters this age, or nieces or students.

I posted the photograph below on my Facebook page last week. It brought back fond memories for Brenda Thompson so she shared a nostalgic story with me. And now I am sharing it with you. Enjoy!

Here in America even we black folks take things for granted. We have had our civil rights movement behind us for decades and though the struggle continues, we can pretty much get what we want in this country with education and hard work. But there is an invisible group I would like to focus on today. That group would be our Afro-Latina sisters.

I am not trivializing or trying to diminish Raeana Roberson’s outrage upon seeing a choice between African American and Negro on a jury questionnaire. Unless someone can prove that there was malicious intent, or intentionally using the word in a negative context it was probably just an oversight. But I do understand where Ms. Roberson is coming from on the issue. I get it, I’m an uppity Negress.