Tuesday, November 24, 2020
Friday, November 6, 2020
Thursday, October 29, 2020
Monday, October 12, 2020
Friday, September 25, 2020
The Digital Divide During COVID-19: Controversies and Solutions
In case you missed it, check out my webinar regarding the Digital Divide During Covid-19! Lot's of questions and answers took place after the discussion of this important topic. I hope you will find it useful and feel free to share widely. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twFq4yzH14o&feature=youtu.be&list=PL1uGOXWHANCyz7ApvNAtggi-y1sV0ZU_u
#LetsTalkAbouSolutions #theDigitalDivide #Covid19 #healthequity
Wednesday, September 23, 2020
An Informative Webinar for All, Including Naturalistas: The Digital Divide During Covid-19
Today, check out my webinar-- Wednesday, September 23 at 1:00 PM EST I will explore a long-standing concern, the digital divide, which has been magnified during COVID-19. Registration is free and here: Lack of digital inclusion primarily impacts low income, racial/ethnic emerging majorities, rural communities, the elderly and other marginalized groups. After discussing key issues such as how #COVID-19 #lockdown policies impact low-income homes without computers and broadband access, language and literacy issues, #digitalhealth illiteracy, and geographic isolation, I will propose potential solutions including the need for technologically adept community health workers, #digitalempathy, #e-health, #telehealth and more. I hope you will join me for this important discussion!
Sunday, September 20, 2020
Wednesday, September 16, 2020
Thursday, September 10, 2020
Wednesday, September 9, 2020
Monday, August 31, 2020
Pattern Deluxe Styling Bundle Tryout: Did We Like it or Nah?
Recently, I received the new Pattern Deluxe Styling Bundle, as a gift from my son, and I decided to try out the products with my daughter, Courtney. So we grabbed the deluxe bundle products, after I washed my hair, and she was ready for a refresh (Courtney explains this term in the video) all set to decide if we liked the bundled products or not. Below is our video, which takes you through this little journey and at the end, you will find out if we liked the items that we used from the bundle, or not, with all kinds of insight in between. Our hair textures and lengths are very different so hopefully, that wll be helpful for you. So, enjoy the video below and feel free to comment if you also use Pattern. I would love to know your thoughts about it!
Please subscribe to my YouTube Channel as their will be many more videos to come! Otherwise, just enjoy and let me know what you think about the Pattern Deluxe Styling Bundle or any other products that you are using and remember, #NaturalIsCoolEnough!
Thursday, August 27, 2020
Breathing Trauma and Pain In and Letting It Out: It's Yoga Time!
The meaning of the word "Yoga" is "union" as derived from the Sanskrit root "yuj," (pron. "yug") meaning "to join", "to unite." As the pandemic continued and society gradually began to open up, I was finding plenty of time for introspection and reflection about the most meaningful and important aspects of my life, and the most important people in it. Then the death of George Floyd happened and literally, all hell broke loose in the United States of America. Society went from isolation to traumatic devastation due to the killing of another Black man, this time with a knee to his neck, until he died, as he uttered, "I can't breathe."
This took my yoga practice to another level as it literally became my way, along with my husband, to figure out how to breath through anguish, pain and trauma, as I watched Black people all over the nation cry, march, express rage and join together in protest, with other individuals, sometimes for the benefit of Black people and sometimes to our detriment. I also went to a March with my husband and we walked with a large crowd of protesters, in Miami, with our fists in the air, chants of support for George Floyd towards justice and more, in 90 degree weather, while being told that the pandemic is still in effect.
In the midst of this tragedy of the death of George Floyd, we continued our yoga practice, every single day, as we have done consistently throughout the pandemic lockdown, of which part of the process is to breath in and out, with intensity. I no longer take that breathing for granted because I realize, consciously, that it is a gift, beyond measure to do so. As I watched the breath of life being taken from a Black man, George Floyd, just because of the color of his skin, I felt the anguish of his suffering and the trauma experienced by Black people at large in the United States on a consistent basis. Now, when I breath in and out, I acknowledge the fear that we, Black people, have for ourselves and our children as we simply walk around, doing ordinary and extraordinary things. It doesn't matter who are what we are and what we do. Our Black skin continues to be a target for those people who have the audacity to think that they are superior--essentially racism in the United States. I breath that trauma and pain in and then I let it out.
In the meantime, while these tragedies continue to ensue, I will continue my Yoga practice with my husband, each day, and my daughter's adorable little dog, Riley, who joins us most days and now when I breath in and out, followed by meditation, I now know that I am not just doing it just for myself, but for every one of us, my fellow Black people, who are seeking to fully manifest one of the most important truths--United We Stand, Divided We Fall. We must breathe. We must breathe for George Floyd, for Jacob Blake for Breonna Taylor, for Ahmad Aubrey, for Trayvon Martin and countless other Black men and women who have died at the hands of white people, who felt that they had the right to take Black lives--to stop their breath. We must breath that pain in and then breath it out.
My suggestion for all Black people is to, keep the fight for justice going, in every aspect of our lives, and to stay strong by eating as healthy as possible, exercising daily, staying as natural as possible, including your hair as a show of our natural Black power, take care of your skin and your entire body, find time for relaxation including reading and doing absolutely nothing, except thinking, travel, once we can do so freely again, beyond the pandemic/lockdown, and stay close to your family and loved ones. While doing all of this, continue the fight for justice for Black people in the United States. Keep it at the forefront of your mind, body and spirit and in your healthy state, be prepared to protest when necessary, and call from wherever you can, for justice, when Black people are killed, simply for existing while Black. No matter your position on spirituality or religiosity stay connected to a source that reminds you that there is a force beyond your self to reach out to for comfort, solace and renewal and never that you can connect with through your breath. Keep that at the forefront in your mind and breath for yourself, while breathing for every other unarmed Black person that has lost their life, or who has been maimed senselessly. I am breathing in and out for me and for you.
This took my yoga practice to another level as it literally became my way, along with my husband, to figure out how to breath through anguish, pain and trauma, as I watched Black people all over the nation cry, march, express rage and join together in protest, with other individuals, sometimes for the benefit of Black people and sometimes to our detriment. I also went to a March with my husband and we walked with a large crowd of protesters, in Miami, with our fists in the air, chants of support for George Floyd towards justice and more, in 90 degree weather, while being told that the pandemic is still in effect.
In the midst of this tragedy of the death of George Floyd, we continued our yoga practice, every single day, as we have done consistently throughout the pandemic lockdown, of which part of the process is to breath in and out, with intensity. I no longer take that breathing for granted because I realize, consciously, that it is a gift, beyond measure to do so. As I watched the breath of life being taken from a Black man, George Floyd, just because of the color of his skin, I felt the anguish of his suffering and the trauma experienced by Black people at large in the United States on a consistent basis. Now, when I breath in and out, I acknowledge the fear that we, Black people, have for ourselves and our children as we simply walk around, doing ordinary and extraordinary things. It doesn't matter who are what we are and what we do. Our Black skin continues to be a target for those people who have the audacity to think that they are superior--essentially racism in the United States. I breath that trauma and pain in and then I let it out.
Now once again, we continue our practice after the shooting in the back that has occurred for yet another Black man, Jacob Blake. Each time it happens, I have to get quiet and absorb, digest and come to terms with the painful reality of what has transpired—another unarmed Black man, shot in the back by the police. This time, remaining alive, his body shattered, maimed and paralyzed while his mother and the rest of his family are in agony. Then, I have to confront the reality that I am the mother of a Black son and the wife of a Black man, both loved deeply by me. How do we, as Black people, process these lynchings/near lynchings shown on television and in social media, over and over again? I see that there is some action for this young man, Jacob Blake, including a federal investigation forthcoming, protests are in progress, the NBA and WNBA and other athletes are striking (so proud of these young people), the Black warrior lawyers are ready to fight in the legal system and beyond. All of this is laudable but how will this mend Jacob’s shattered life? This time, I feel weary and numb but connected to his mother, as always, because raising a Black son in this nation causes a kind of love that pushes you to FEEL Black motherhood as my hopes, and dreams include knowing that our seed, our son, will continue our Black family into the next generation, in this patriarchal society, while we love him deeply, now, along with our daughter. If THEY keep destroying our Black sons, primarily, and our Black daughters, how will Black people continue to be fruitful and multiply together? How will the psyches of Black people be healed from such trauma? How will Black parents function without worrying about their young adults as they walk outside? Black mothers and fathers can only hope that our sons and our daughters know that no matter what THEY say or do their #BlackLivesMatter to US with all that we have. I take pride in being Black. I love that I am of African descent, along with my husband and our children, with hopes for Black grandchildren someday, even if our Black bodies are not valued by those who do not recognize our humanity. I offer strength, courage and love to the mother and the rest of the family of Jacob Blake with prayers for his healing. It is a miracle that he is alive. May the miracles continue through him and his little Black sons, who watched their father being shot, at least 7 times, by those who are supposed to protect them from danger. I hope these young, Black, boys, are able, somehow, after being traumatized, to know that their father is a Black man whose name will be spoken across this world and that someday they will rise up and be stronger for him, carrying his name, while knowing an unfortunate truth as stated by our beloved brother and ancestor James Baldwin: “Please try to remember that what they believe, as well as what they do and cause you to endure does not testify to your inferiority but to their inhumanity.” This truth will serve all Black people in this nation, if we allow it to resonate deeply within us. May Jacob Blake and his family be blessed and may our voices and actions roar for justice on his behalf. Power to all who have decided to #RiseUp for Jacob.
My suggestion for all Black people is to, keep the fight for justice going, in every aspect of our lives, and to stay strong by eating as healthy as possible, exercising daily, staying as natural as possible, including your hair as a show of our natural Black power, take care of your skin and your entire body, find time for relaxation including reading and doing absolutely nothing, except thinking, travel, once we can do so freely again, beyond the pandemic/lockdown, and stay close to your family and loved ones. While doing all of this, continue the fight for justice for Black people in the United States. Keep it at the forefront of your mind, body and spirit and in your healthy state, be prepared to protest when necessary, and call from wherever you can, for justice, when Black people are killed, simply for existing while Black. No matter your position on spirituality or religiosity stay connected to a source that reminds you that there is a force beyond your self to reach out to for comfort, solace and renewal and never that you can connect with through your breath. Keep that at the forefront in your mind and breath for yourself, while breathing for every other unarmed Black person that has lost their life, or who has been maimed senselessly. I am breathing in and out for me and for you.
Thursday, April 9, 2020
During A Pandemic, Natural Is Cool Enough: So How’s It Going, Naturally?
For the most part, here are some services that are missing during the global pandemic, largely associated with grooming:
-Barbershops
-Beauty parlors
-Nail salons
-Waxing
-Eyebrow shaping
-Gyms
And the list goes on…
It is unfortunate on many levels because people offering these services may be out of work (some are offering these services privately or online, e.g. exercise sessions) during these times. We must send them love and support, however we can. For those who use these services things may be getting rough, literally. As a naturalista, occasionally, beyond maintaining my natural hair, I get my nails trimmed and polished, usually with a sparkly top coat added for fun. When social distancing and hoarding started to get real, I bought some nail polish remover (the last bottle in the store!) some sparkly nail top coat and natural cuticle oil (Vitamin E) that my daughter picked up for me. So, nail-wise, I’m good to go.
Natural Hair Rules
As for my hair, over a year or more ago (time flies), I took my locks out after 25+ years of having them. I now wear a fro, for the most part, with style variations. I have all sorts of headbands and clips so I wash, condition, oil, twist/braid/pick and go. Keeping it simple seems to be the logical way to go during these trying times. I also use an occasional Indian Henna, which is an excellent conditioner and color enhancer.
Getting Our Yoga On
For my body mind and spirit, I do yoga and meditation, everyday/night with my husband. The goal is to stay focused and relaxed, because during this pandemic, with social distancing etc., day-to-day life, along with ups and downs, still goes on. I do yoga outside in the sun so I get vitamin D and the experience of nature in my backyard with an occasional swim, before or after if the weather is really hot, which is usually the case in Miami. I say this in a state of complete humbleness with all due respect to any and everyone who may not have the opportunity to spread out in this way. I am very mindful of this daily and I never take any of these blessings for granted and express gratitude when I write daily in my journal. We are all blessed in some way, so whatever and however you are experiencing grace, be truly grateful and reach out to others who need a helping hand.
“Holding on to your mind” and keeping your body healthy is critical during this pandemic as the media takes us all on so many twists and turns, that we have no way of knowing what is really happening. I approach this by multi-sourcing the information that I take in and then writing my own pieces, from a public health vantage point, to contribute to the dialogue. Processing information and writing is part of my mental stimulation and reaching out to others. I also have a Mandarin language class one evening a week on-line and occasional Zoom meetings, based on invitations, or I enjoy the opportunity to speak with colleagues/fellow alumni on-line, and the occasional webinar.
Eating Right
In between all of this, I drink lots of water (usually with lemon) and I eat as healthy as possible to supplement the goodness that comes from my yoga regimen. I also enjoy a cup of coffee (organic) each morning and an occasional glass of wine/bubbly in the evening and enjoy lots of fresh fruits, vegetables, poultry (antibiotic and hormone free), lamb and beef (grass fed, antibiotic and hormone free), pasta and rice (organic and non-gmo) and fish (wild) for my various meals. Organic, antibiotic, hormone free, non-gmo and wild are some characteristics of my food that I prefer but with shelves that are not fully stocked, sometimes compromises must be made, but so far, so good. I have a sweet tooth so fruit, dark chocolate, nuts and the healthiest, natural snacks that I can find are up for grabs, in small amounts, as well as cheese and crackers. I’m a chocolate and cheese fanatic so I have to be mindful with those two items! The constant drinking of water, from my Propur, gravity filter, helps to keep my skin clear, along with lots of moisturizing.
The New Normal for Professionalism
Discussing my daily “stay inside” regimen may seem trivial on some levels but as I am watching folks on television, who are usually all dolled up with extensive make up, coiffed hair; suits, ties:, and “professional” attire providing the news, appearing on talk shows from various rooms in their home, etc. I’m realizing that we are seeing what these folks REALLY look like for the first time. This is rather refreshing. As for attire, I’m also realizing what I always knew. None of that “professional” wear is necessary to drop knowledge or share your gifts, nor is it necessary to be in an office to do certain types of work. it seems that all that is needed is a camera, video (a smart phone will do) spaces with good lighting, comfortable attire and the offering of whatever you have to give via writing, youtube, zoom, social media, etc. We are definitely finding out that working from home is a viable option for many professions. The working from home scenario is how I have been operating for years now, as an author and consultant, except when I travel abroad/nationally to lecture/speak.
Keep It Natural
In closing, to my fellow naturalistas, and everyone else, keep doing your natural regimen because natural is definitely cool enough during this pandemic. In the midst of this crisis, and all the time, it’s N.I.C.E.! Otherwise, partners may be looking at each other from head to toe each day, and getting some REAL hopefully wonderful, natural surprises. Ultimately, just try and find ways to relax and be you, naturally. By the way, until this is all over, my favorite color is green--as I see it as the predominant color of nature.
Patti R. Rose, MPH, Ed.D. - President and Founder, Rose Consulting, Miami, Florida
Note: The views and opinions in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC, the WHO, CDC or any other organizations. Statements in this webinar do not comprise medical or legal advice and are subject to change, particularly with respect to evolving public health issues, medical information and related guidance relative to COVID-19. We advise all readers to carefully monitor developments and advice of the CDC, WHO, and other public health experts and officials.
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