By: David P. Casal
Sulma Arzu-Brown is a Garifuna from Honduras. Her parents were both college graduates, who majored in accounting, but her mother was overlooked for a promotion at a bank in her home country because she was black. With hopes of better opportunities, the family moved to the U.S. In America, Sulma became a college graduate and made it her mission to educate people about the Garifuna people. She spoke to us about the Garufina people and her book, “Bad Hair Does Not Exist! (Pelo Malo No Existe).”
- Who are the Garifuna people?
We have our origin in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. We are a mixture of Africans, Yellow Carib and Arawak Indians. But in a war against the British, 5,000 Garifuna people were deported off our land. The goal was genocide, half of my ancestors perished. In 1797, the survivors were placed on ships and ended up in Roatán, an island that is now part of Honduras. Fast forward 217 years later, we have an estimated 200,000 Garifuna living in New York.
- Your mother didn’t get a promotion in Honduras because she was black. How does that experience compare with racism in America?
In America, racism was a fact of life. Racism in Honduras was more unspoken. It was easy to forget how prominent racism was. My mother was devastated. It prompted difficult conversations in our family. My parents decided to leave for a better life in the U.S., and my brother and I soon followed.
- You wrote a book called “Bad Hair Does Not Exist! (Pelo Malo No Existe).” As a Garifuna, why is that important to write about?
The book was not written as a Garifuna. It was written as the mother of a little girl whose thick, curly textured hair got labeled as “bad hair” by her caregiver. It was that her caregiver said that in my presence. I was angry by what she said to my 3-year-old Bella-Victoria. My husband and I work hard to ensure our daughters are confident individuals. With girls, that often means complimenting their hair. That day, the caregiver and I discussed alternate terms to describe hair. Terms such as long, short, straight, curly. I explained that bad hair does not exist. We managed a good relationship since then.
- There’s talk in pop culture about how celebrities deal with their children’s hair. What do you make of all that?
This issue is blind to socioeconomic status. I remember watching [Beyoncé’s daugher] Blue Ivy during the Grammy’s with her free and beautiful hair. It was exactly how my daughters wore theirs. It was devastating to hear the bullying remarks that a 2-year-old received, even from grown black women!
- Have you ever disliked your hair and wanted to changed it?
My dad would always say “la belleza de la mujer es el pelo” meaning the beauty of a woman is her hair. My mom relaxed my hair at the age of 12. I don’t recall ever disliking my hair. It was more about imitating my older cousins. When I became a mother, it was difficult to teach natural beauty when I did not adhere to it. So I came home one day with natural hair and my older daughter Suleni breathed a sigh of relief. She said, “Mommy, “Mommy, we finally look alike.” It seemed to me that her internal battle to look like Mommy was finally over.
- You have very cool illustrations in your book.
The artwork was created by my best friend Isidra Sabio, the president of Afro-Latin Publishing. Isidra is a self-published author and illustrator. She created greeting cards with Afro images and was inspired to create them because of the invitation to her baptism. Her mom sent invites with the image of a blonde, blue-eye baby. Isidra is of a rich, smooth Nubian complexion. As an adult, she realized that finding cards with Afro-images was still an issue. I knew her art would be perfect.
- Who should read “Bad Hair Does Not Exist”? (Pelo Malo No Existe),” and why?Everybody! “Bad Hair Does Not Exist” should be a part of family time and table discussion for children of Black, African-American, Afro-Latinos, Garifuna and children of mixed ethnicity.
- As a mother yourself how do you teach your daughters to appreciate their cultural background?
My husband, Mho, and I do not just talk about culture, we have our girls experience it. For example the girls and I had the opportunity to go back home to Honduras. It was my mission to visit a remote Garifuna village far from modern civilization. The experience was priceless. I love being Garifuna. I love my Jamaican-Canadian husband. But most of all, I am grateful to God for making me complete enough to share everything that I am with my girls and the world.
Updated below by LT staff
Comparing racism in Honduras and America:
Racism manifests itself in various forms and degrees across different societies. Sulma experienced firsthand the stark contrast between the racism in her home country, Honduras, and that in America. In Honduras, racism was often unspoken and subtly pervasive. However, the incident involving Sulma’s mother being overlooked for a promotion due to her skin color shattered the illusion of a color-blind society. The devastating experience prompted Sulma’s parents to seek better opportunities in the United States, hoping for a life free from the constraints of racial bias.
Embracing natural beauty and identity:
Sulma’s personal journey towards self-acceptance is one of profound significance. Growing up, she did not harbor any dislike for her hair, but rather, sought to imitate her older cousins. However, when she became a mother, she realized the importance of teaching her daughters to appreciate their natural beauty. Sulma made a decision to embrace her natural hair, which had a transformative effect on her eldest daughter, Suleni. Finally, Suleni felt a sense of belonging and similarity with her mother, bringing an end to her internal struggle for acceptance.
The captivating illustrations in Sulma’s book:
“Bad Hair Does Not Exist!” captivates readers not only with its powerful message but also through its visually stunning illustrations. Sulma’s best friend, Isidra Sabio, the president of Afro-Latin Publishing, created the artwork. Isidra’s journey as a self-published author and illustrator was motivated by a lack of greeting cards featuring Afro-centric imagery. Inspired by personal experiences, she recognized the need to provide representation through her art. The illustrations in Sulma’s book beautifully complement the empowering narrative, enhancing the overall reading experience.
“Bad Hair Does Not Exist!” – A must-read for everyone:
Sulma Arzu-Brown’s book transcends cultural boundaries and resonates with readers from various backgrounds. It is a valuable addition to family discussions and a catalyst for embracing diverse identities. The book holds particular significance for children of Black, African-American, Afro-Latinos, Garifuna, and those of mixed ethnicity. By challenging societal norms and advocating for self-love and acceptance, Sulma encourages individuals to appreciate their unique beauty and cultural heritage.
Nurturing cultural appreciation in Sulma’s family:
As a mother, Sulma is committed to nurturing her daughters’ appreciation for their cultural background. Beyond mere conversations about their heritage, she ensures that her girls experience their culture firsthand. Sulma embarked on a journey with her daughters to a remote Garifuna village, far removed from modern civilization, during a visit to Honduras. The experience proved to be invaluable, fostering a deep love for their Garifuna heritage. Sulma also cherishes her multicultural family, as her Jamaican-Canadian husband plays an integral role in enriching their cultural exchange. She is grateful for the opportunity to share her identity with her daughters and the world.
In conclusion, Sulma Arzu-Brown’s story serves as an inspiration to all, showcasing the power of education, self-acceptance, and cultural pride. Through her advocacy for the Garifuna people and her book “Bad Hair Does Not Exist!,” Sulma has ignited important conversations surrounding identity, discrimination, and embracing one’s natural beauty. Her empowering message resonates with individuals from diverse backgrounds, encouraging them to celebrate their uniqueness. Sulma’s remarkable journey stands as a testament to the transformative impact one person can make in fostering understanding and acceptance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Q1: Where do the Garifuna people originate from? The Garifuna people have their origins in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, with a unique blend of African, Yellow Carib, and Arawak Indian heritage.
Q2: How does racism in Honduras compare to racism in America? While racism in America is more overt and widely acknowledged, racism in Honduras was often unspoken and easy to overlook. However, Sulma’s personal experience with her mother being overlooked for a promotion due to her skin color shattered the illusion of a color-blind society in Honduras.
Q3: Why did Sulma write the book “Bad Hair Does Not Exist!”? Sulma wrote the book as a response to her daughter’s hair being labeled as “bad hair” by a caregiver. The incident sparked a determination to promote alternative terms to describe hair and celebrate diverse hair types.
Q4: What impact did celebrity discussions about children’s hair have on Sulma? Sulma was disheartened by the bullying remarks directed at Blue Ivy, Beyoncé’s daughter, during a Grammy Awards ceremony. It highlighted the pervasive nature of hair discrimination and its impact on young children.
Q5: How does Sulma teach her daughters to appreciate their cultural background? Sulma and her husband ensure that their daughters experience their cultural heritage firsthand. They embarked on a journey to a remote Garifuna village in Honduras, fostering a deep love and appreciation for their Garifuna identity.
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