Successful Women and Racist Hair Banning

I saw a couple articles in MORE Magazine (I know I"m outing my age ;) Anyway, the articles are by women building or changing their careers and aimed at women but you guys could learn something too ;)

Reinventing Real Estate - two women who broke the NAS's monopoly on house sales by launching the country's largest for-sale-by-owner web site

The Cost of Passion - women who have left high paying but soul killing jobs for lower pay but higher creativity, satisfaction, and affirmation

The Voice of Authority - women increasing their power in media, politics and world affairs yet still struggling with how that voice of authority should look and sound. .....

This article is especially interesting today as in the news is an article about a club banning certain hairstyles: braids, corn rows, dread locks. So interesting that appearance, hair styles and mostly hair color, has been used against women to suggest we are flighty, loose, frumpy, etc. and now appearance, again hair, is being used against men, specifically black men, to suggest they are violent.

I wonder that since the playing field between men and women, and between minorities and the dominant culture is leveling in terms of education, income, resources, etc. Is appearance going to become the way to suggest someone is lesser-than? In the article, they describe the barrage of negativity aimed at Couric becoming news anchor is solely focused on her gender and appearance - not her perfomance (and she hadn't even started yet) - as a means to already undermine her cred. So, here in a city that is becoming African-American dominant - where it is becoming a more level field in terms of education, presence in politics, presence in medicine and law, and buying power, is the braid banning is happening as the new way to undermine and label as violent the new generation of young black males? While we do have gangs (which is the population the hair banning is aimed at) in Richmond, and the most visible gangs are black men, we also have a large population of educated black men who give their time to social work, politics, medicine, civil rights, teaching, and the arts. And guess what, a lot of them wear braids, corn rows, and dreads. They don't carry weapons, they don't do drive-by shootings, and they don't sell drugs, but they wouldn't be allowed in that club.

Art Therapy is one of the Top Jobs for 2007

How awesome is this, being an art therapist is finally considered a top career opportunity. From obscurity to top ten lists. Yeah!

MEDIA ALERT— FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ART THERAPIST AMONG 10 HOT JOBS FOR 2007
Alexandria, VA--- CareerBuilder.com, one of the nation’s leading recruitment resources in print
and web media, has identified Art Therapist as one of the top 10 “hot jobs” for 2007 by (see
http://jobs.aol.com/article/_a/10-hot-jobs-for-2007/20060822125209990005). Candace Corner,
writer for CareerBuilder.com, says, “Demographic shifts, legislative changes, business trends
and consumer behavior factor into what’s going to be the next big thing.” A changing employment
market, longer life span, access to higher education, and later retirement are determining
what jobs are on the cutting edge.
Art Therapy is a mental health profession that uses the creative process of art making to improve
and enhance the physical, mental, and emotional well being of individuals of all ages. It is
based on the belief that the creative process involved in the making of art is healing and life enhancing.
Art Therapists use their knowledge of visual art (drawing, painting, sculpture, and other
art forms) and psychotherapy to help individuals manage emotional problems, develop interpersonal
skills, reduce stress, and achieve self-awareness.
The American Art Therapy Association, (AATA) Inc., was founded in 1969 and develops and
promotes educational, professional, and ethical standards for the practice of art therapy. The
AATA provides information to its members and the public regarding the field of art therapy
through publications, a scholarly journal, conferences, and a web site ( www.arttherapy.org).
Paula Howie, President of the American Art Therapy Association and board certified Art Therapist,
comments, “Employment opportunities for art therapists in healthcare, community agencies,
education, and independent practice continue to increase for our members. It is exciting
that leading job recruitment services are recognizing the field of art therapy as a cutting edge
career.”
For more information, please contact Cathy A. Malchiodi, AATA Professional Relations, at
info@arttherapy.org, call 888-290-0878, or visit the AATA web site at www.arttherapy.org.

Leading Elsewhere

Through this class and self-development that goes with it, I now am more ambitious it seems. I'm no longer satisfied with staying where I am at now in all of my places. I'm seeking new things to do and new areas to grow. Certainly areas to lead more in and develop more creative programs. So I'm out looking to expand myself in all areas.
With my private art therapy practice I am trying to talk my partners into moving into a bigger space that we could have 3 studios (at least), an enclosed office for privacy from the waiting area, and a couple of storage places for supplies and client artwork. I want to share space with artists I know that have had a co-op in the past and want to do that again. I found a great place with plenty of display space for them with large street front windows and rooms in the back for us. Some of it needs to be refurbished but that's good as we can make it the way we want. So it's a matter of talking everyone into my idea! I'm working on my partners and trying to herd all the artists into action and movement. I have a month before we have to give notice on our space to get eveyone agreeing and gathering their money for deposits and start-up.
Then for the non-profits to get going more. I am already the identified leader in that arena, so to put plans into place.
Off to chat people up and be the super saleswoman!!!