Everyone is talking about this article from For Harriet, A New Model For Black Motherhood: Why We Need More Jada Pinkett Smiths. I read the article, and agree with some of things that were said, and of course I have a huge BUT. Jada Pinkett Smith has received a lot of comments questioning her parenting style because of Willow’s freedom to make certain choices regarding her style, including hair cuts and coloring. In response to the critics, Jada had this to say:

The question why I would LET Willow cut her hair. First the LET must be challenged. This is a world where women,girls are constantly reminded that they don’t belong to themselves; that their bodies are not their own, nor their power or self determination. I made a promise to endow my little girl with the power to always know that her body, spirit and her mind are HER domain. Willow cut her hair because her beauty, her value, her worth is not measured by the length of her hair. It’s also a statement that claims that even little girls have the RIGHT to own themselves and should not be a slave to even their mother’s deepest insecurities, hopes and desires. Even little girls should not be a slave to the preconceived ideas of what a culture believes a little girl should be. More to come. Another day.

I agree with Jada’s parenting style for Jada and the Smith Family. I don’t necessarily think we need more Jada Pinkett Smiths as mothers, but Continue Reading →