Lyonside

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  • in reply to: Lice-less black people? #33607

    Lyonside
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    Just wanted to add that it is true - hair lice is specifically adapted to cling to straighter hair, typically found on people of European descent (among others). The kinkiness of typical African hair is what keeps lice from clinging.

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    Name : Lyonside, Gender : F, Race : biracial: African-American, European-American, Religion : Catholic, Age : 27, City : Philadelphia, State : PA Country : United States, Occupation : Environmental Scientist, Education level : 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 
    in reply to: Black women dating white men #25598

    Lyonside
    Participant
    My mother is European-American (White), and my father is African-American and African-Bermudan (Black). Among many people who are first-generation biracial and born since 1967 (when interracial marriage bans were legally ENDED in the US), this is the case. The reason has to do with the legacy of slavery and the post-slavery racism, segregation, and oppression. Before the civil rights movement, a majority of black/white 'unions' were at best coerced and hidden, and at worst, rape. Invariably, this was a white male and a black female. At the same time, a black male who even hinted at flirting w/ a white woman, however unintentionally, risked being arrested, beat up, or killed. This was the legacy of racism and slavery, that taught that black males were sexually aggressive and 'after' white women. White males were encouraged to maintain segregation and separation to 'save' white women. With that history, a white female/black male relationship may be more tolerated than the reverse, among people who know the painful history. There is also the possibility that since 'white' has still been used as the societal beauty standard (although that's changing somewhat); therefore, people unfairly see a 'white' female as better/more acceptable/desirable for everyone to want. In general, the more educated/socially aware peopel are, the more accepting they are of any interethnic (i.e. inter'racial') couples.

    User Detail :  

    Name : Lyonside, Gender : F, Race : biracial: African-American, European-American, Religion : Catholic, Age : 27, City : Philadelphia, State : PA Country : United States, Occupation : Environmental Scientist, Education level : 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 
    in reply to: Lice-less black people? #45110

    Lyonside
    Participant
    The head louse is communicated person to person or through contact w/ utensils (hairbrushes, ponytail holders) that have lice eggs. The lice attach to the hair shafts. African-Americans that have typical extremely curly/kinky hair are LESS likely to get head lice due primarily to the differences in the hair shaft. Turns out that head lice evolved with humans, and they are adapted to thinner, straighter hair shafts.

    User Detail :  

    Name : Lyonside, Gender : F, Race : biracial: African-American, European-American, Religion : Catholic, Age : 27, City : Philadelphia, State : PA Country : United States, Occupation : Environmental Scientist, Education level : 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 
    in reply to: African-American children’s names #45340

    Lyonside
    Participant
    First, A-A children do NOT always have 'unusual names.' By 'most people' I assume you mean European-American (i.e. white) Americans. The Civil Rights Movement for African-Americans really started in the 1860s through the 1970s, and it's not over. But during the hey-day (1960s-1970s), many people started to feel as if the 'traditional' names did not reflect their heritage. Malcolm X and the miniseries 'Roots' are often cited as examples of this. Many people chose to give up 'slave' names and use names that are of African descent and/or Arabic/Islamic descent. There were some areas of West Africa that had been influenced by Islam, and some enslaved tribes were practicing Muslims. Over time, people have also given children 'traditional' (i.e. European) names, but spelled a unique way. This may reflect a need for individuality, to stand out, to express yourself through your children. This may be more important when you are lower-income, politically invisible, and/or socially oppressed, regardless of ethnicity.

    User Detail :  

    Name : Lyonside, Gender : F, Race : biracial: African-American, European-American, Religion : Catholic, Age : 27, City : Philadelphia, State : PA Country : United States, Occupation : Environmental Scientist, Education level : 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 
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