DIY History | Transcribe | Campus Culture | University of Iowa Afro-American Cultural Center, 1968-2009 | 2007-12-13 Daily Iowan Article: "Knowing why the caged bird sings" Page 2

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University of Iowa Afro-American Cultural Center, 1968-2009

2007-12-13 Daily Iowan Article: "Knowing why the caged bird sings" Page 2

The Daily Iowan- Iowa City, Iowa- Thursday, December 13, 2007 - 3A
News

Black & Beautiful

BLACK 
CONTINUED FROM 1A

Patrice Jones said she has struggled with her image throughout her life, especially going to a predominately white school in Iowa.
   " I was different," she said " I did not see people who looked like me." 
   He mother later asked if the women often face prejudice and discrimination. 
   " Every day," her daughter responded. 
   UI junior Danielle Holliday recalled in the difficulties she faced in high school as well as in college, noting that no one ever told her she had potential. 
   She also brought up the stereotypes that come with black women's dialects. 

[insert]
' It has taken me 60 years to appreciate [black beauty.]. I have learned we are beautiful and unique'
- Tish Jones UI Associate Professor of theater and leader of the forum. 

" I don't feel like I have to apologize for speaking a certain way" she said. 
     The women exchanged anecdotes throughout the more than hour discussion. In one, Patrice Jones recalled a day she wore her hair down. 
   " One boy said, " Did you stick your finger in an electric outlet," she said, recalling how humiliated and even more self conscious about her image that statement made her. 
    Tish Jones noted that it was through her seeing her beautiful daughter that she herself appreciated her own beauty. It was harder in the past when "white women were put on the pedestal," she said. 
   " It has taken me 60 years appreciate [black beauty] ", she said  " I have learned we are beautiful and unique." 
  Another point the elder Jones noted was that the insecurities and stereotypes the women face are still very present.
   " It is a battle, and we are going to keep fighting." she said. 

E-mail DI reporter Melanie Kucera at melanie-kucera@uiowa.edu

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The Daily Iowan- Iowa City, Iowa- Thursday, December 13, 2007 - 3A News Black & Beautiful BLACK CONTINUED FROM 1A Patrice Jones said she has struggled with her image throughout her life, especially going to a predominately white school in Iowa. " I was different," she said " I did not see people who looked like me." He mother later asked if the women often face prejudice and discrimination. " Every day," her daughter responded. UI junior Danielle Holliday recalled in the difficulties she faced in high school as well as in college, noting that no one ever told her she had potential. She also brought up the stereotypes that come with black women's dialects. [insert] ' It has taken me 60 years to appreciate [black beauty.]. I have learned we are beautiful and unique' - Tish Jones UI Associate Professor of theater and leader of the forum. " I don't feel like I have to apologize for speaking a certain way" she said. The women exchanged anecdotes throughout the more than hour discussion. In one, Patrice Jones recalled a day she wore her hair down. " One boy said, " Did you stick your finger in an electric outlet," she said, recalling how humiliated and even more self conscious about her image that statement made her. Tish Jones noted that it was through her seeing her beautiful daughter that she herself appreciated her own beauty. It was harder in the past when "white women were put on the pedestal," she said. " It has taken me 60 years appreciate [black beauty] ", she said " I have learned we are beautiful and unique." Another point the elder Jones noted was that the insecurities and stereotypes the women face are still very present. " It is a battle, and we are going to keep fighting." she said. E-mail DI reporter Melanie Kucera at melanie-kucera@uiowa.edu