HOW WAS YOUR DAY? LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT MINE.

[mad4u19]

WHat if they don't want better for themselves? You can do so much and no more to help some of them, they have to make the decision to change, or to do better. my sympathy level only goes to a certain level, if they don't want better, i move on.

[MsBronxprincess]

girl we have the same crap ova here in New York City. to beg is a hustle and if not that then they house got "caught on fire" or they "homeless" and all of it is bullshit or they in a wheelchair but they can walk and it anint theirs. so im the type i just walk past they begging ass.in New York they do it big time and it's all a scam...i mean they do it hard body and u just can't believe anybody they ask if you live in NYC you HAVE TO WALK PAST them or else they'll sucker you in!

[GooGoo32]

I have those same frames! lol Cute!

[SexyLeo84]

so did you give him money? lol

[SexyLeo84]

omg why you got me lmao at 1:30 in the am toooo funny oh I cant whooooo

[MsReeezy]

dope glasses! where are they from?

[AFRICANEXPORT]

@MsReeezy xWalmart!!!

[REEidentified]

When you spoke about the population of "hurting people" and how it's growing is so true. I too live in Oakland so the scene @ WalMart is all to familiar. I agree that we know someone there, have been there and some may be there now. I believe in each one teach one. If you have some knowledge to share than by all means impart that to someone else- the work is up to them but to not share pearls of wisdom that can help is self defeating to society.

[ladiescorpio06]

i ♥ U! U are so like a big sis!!! Keep doing whAT YOU DOING HONEY!

[MzChellesoul]

Did you spare the young man some change, gotta know? Also, I'm from the parts of Tx where people asking for money more than likely just want to drink/ smoke it or that's how they make their living making more money than you do. So nope I don't talk to them, I kindly say "sorry, I dont' keep cash" which is true. If I have food, I offer it, I donate clothing to shelters and volunteer at soup kitchens. That's how I give back and know for sure I'm helping and not contributing to foolishness.

[kittrin]

I bought the AE leave in cause i love that it has castor oil in it. N might I say that I LOVE the fact that you've been on here so much. I like ur videos! Ur a friend in my head!!!!!!!

[AmberinTrees]

the glasses are fierce... but as to self-destructive people.... i'm working on getting my mouth, to open, you know? coming from the south, i never want to be rude... presume too much, but i've seen it too many times where someone could have said a kind word.

[BrwnNSweet]

you hair looks great still feeling the cut

[TrulyPeculiar]

Thank you for the Bear fruit hair promo!!! I love this stuff, but I am about to have a brain aneurysm trying to squeeze the conditioner out the bottle LOL. How do you get it out the bottle without overheating it?

[AFRICANEXPORT]

@TrulyPeculiar I leave mine upside down , lol You can also take the top off if need be.

[TrulyPeculiar]

@AFRICANEXPORT Thank you! I forgot about doing cause i had some conditioners that were so thick that I had to use the double boiler method to get loose. Glad I didn't have to heat it up.

[ChooChoogirlelle]

Thanks for sharing,Miss AE. Keep your positivity flowing.

[nappilyevaafta]

"Thumbs Up"

[brnize1969]

A.E. keeping it real!

[MeaILoveYou]

THAT WAS BEAUTIFUL!!! You made sooooo much sense & I said LOTS of important things that i REALLY do wish many others agreed with. You are very well spoken & the fact that you shared such an important message in less then 10 minutes is AMAZING!!! I LOVE YOUR VIDEOS & It's mostly because your so real & honest & because your AWESOME personality shines through!!!

[MsKfreeman]

VERY INTERESTING AND UPLIFTING...YOU SHOULD DEFINITELY DO MORE OF THESE KIND OF VIDEOS..

[shearer1405]

hey girl I work with people with mental illness, alot of them are young people,they self medicate themselves with street drugs to get relief. the people I help live better than u and I , but they beg for money to buy smokes and drugs. I hope this info help u. once again u kept it real. ur hair look nice, r u still using the pineapple method at nite? that video was helpful to me

[DasheenMagazine]

Lady I so feel you. Just wrote about the selfsame issues surrounding positivity over at Dasheen!. My fave quote "Let your achievements be something that helps society, humanity...someone aside from yourself." I tell ya the things you learn on the YT. Love it!

[adore1908]

Loving the hair lady! Is that a two strand twistout?

[wugambina]

Well I'm glad there's a good samaritan to balance out my evil cuz I don't play that. People are crazy...deraaaanged (c) Martin - and to have a man approach me, especially when I'm alone - nah bruh. You gotta move around.

[Stayls]

LOL...If I had a nickel... I'd be a millionaire. I tell you that much.

[leediva]

love this video cuz i like how u kept it real about life in general.... you are so just you! I was wonderin though, are you still goin to do thrifting vids?

[candacereneejones]

Love your glasses!!! Where did you get them from?

[ikkinnikk]

LMAO at the guy turning the pages trynna holla.

[supercuteism]

only in oakland... trust me lol... i live in fla now

[nisha912]

I believe part of my purpose as a Christian is to give an encouraging word or a little money to those who so clearly need it. And that means even if they have an obvious substance abuse problem. My job is to give and I hope they do good with it but if they don't then it's between God and that person.

[MrsLilLady86]

Girl...I have much luv 4 ya. When this video first started off...I was wondering where you would go with the subject matter...in the end I was like you are the kind of person we need in politics..or working the system. I am glad that you did the video, cuz it is so true. You keep it 100%. love ya!

[jaurre2007]

love the hair is that a twist out

[MissLucky87]

Well isn't your hair gorgeous!

[VictoriousLat]

True words girl, and your hair is fabulous

[evyo91]

Thanks for this video it was very nice because as humans we can be harder on ourselves sometimes than we should be. So doing a little something special by just saying hi and having a conversation can make someone feel better. I hope you have more of the How was your day videos.

[zheahra]

Loving those earrings. I hate for a man who ask a female for money. I know the drill it could be you and you don't know their story. Some want to, as you said, use women and play on their insecurities. Plus, you just don't know now-a-days (you really don't) who is faking or who really needs your help. Some of us are barely scrapin' by ourselves and we really can't give them our "spare" change. Ppl have the tendency to think you got it when you don't. Give only if you can and really want to give.

[queeny107]

thank you, my daughter make jewellery which she sells in out-door-market, she is learning and finding out of to make it a business to do full time. thanks again for replying!!!

[foreveropti79]

As for people on the street, sometimes it is best to keep your distance and keep it moving, you can also get knocked upside your head if you're not careful.

Otherwise, I totally agree w/ reaching out and helping each other.

[leigh4health]

I agree that we should take some time to encourage people when they are down on their luck or stuck in their self destruction. My younger brother is in that place and has been all his adult life. He is in his 40's and not ready to change. I would hope that people have compassion on him when they see him in need.  If I got it, I will give a few dollars cause it could have been me!! I feel you on that.

[bebegurl31291]

your hair is so awesome:)

[bionca22]

I need those glasses, so HOT! Love your side eye movements! Half the time, I am so scared to say anything, especially when I have my kids with me. But your making a good point, because it can be anyone.

[mommyanme]

The thing is you never know where you could be tomorrow. This is why we need to focus less on material security and acceptance by other people and reach for ultimate security that can only be offered by God almighty. I find that most people just need someone to listen to them. At the end of the day we all are made of the dirt, no one is better. Always be compassionate and never be prideful, I've been through a lot but it's only the grace of God that I'm still here today.

[JinakiSweetness]

excellent topic. we need to make eye-contact, talk to, be kind to those of US who are down on their luck. it's just the right thang to do.

on a lighter note, love the glasses. i have the same pair! :)

[cassochinadoll]

Im glad someone else does this, my friends always think that I'm crazy when i talk to people who are currently mentally unstable. Glad you talk to them too. Some people just need to be heard. a lot of them don't even want help.....they just want to talk to someone who views them as just another human being.

[kzique73]

girl you are too funny. you keep it real with a bit of humor. very well said!

again thanks for getting us that discount at bearfruit. i put my order in the other day!

[firebrandsgirl]

I love watching this videos.

[domino18717]

@drdawn86 ok you know what, I'm not going to argue with you over whoopie goldberg. It's dumb and I don't have time. AFRICANEXPORT I apologize if my words have offended you.

[mpenny226]

Great Vid Sis. Living in a big city, you run into this all of the time so I know what you mean. We are all at least 1 ck away/1 bad incident away from that situation. I just got back from a Literary conference in ATL, I'm tired but I had a great time! Natural hair was EVERYWHERE!!!!

[domino18717]

@drdawn86 Chill out. I said I hope you don't take offense because there are people who don't find whoppie goldberg attractive. And I think africanexport is beautiful. Looks like you're the one whose getting all defensive over nothing. Don't make a mountain out of a molehill. If I had just flat out said you look like whoppie goldberg would that have quelled your sensitive nerves?

[mrsconversationpiece]

awsome vid.i think that "we" as a ppl have gotten to a point of "go for self". when we are all by the grace of god 1 step from being "that"person.

[shaunesethenatural]

I agree with you here! So many times we get caught up in our own hype and forget that we could never be where these people are. It is sooo important to keep this in mind, especially when life takes us on a high and things are going well.

[7389sd]

love the glasses!

[domino18717]

I hope you don't take offense because I don't mean it as such but you remind me of a much better looking Whoopie Goldberg with a fro.

[whitneysolier1]

Love your spirit. You always bring a smile to my face. Yor facial expressions and little quotes crack me up. You are 100% right in regards to see ourselves in others. I always try to give a minute or dollar or two when I come across those in need. Giving is about the heart, whether its money, time , etc. Besides that I can not count the number of people (some who appeared to be in difficult situations) who have helped me out in the smallest way.  A kind word, navigating a new city, etc.

[queeny107]

what is your hobbies?

[AFRICANEXPORT]

@queeny107 Youtube, jewelry making, crochet, and sometimes knitting and when I am up to it entertaining friends.

[Titus2Chic]

i looove your hair! is that a twist out? i need specific instructions, details ... products, size of twists, night routine, all of that. i'm pretty new to your site so i have some catching up to do;-). on my way to pour over your archived videos because i just cannot get my twist outs to look like that. my twists turn into a soft fro by the end of the day.

[solidice242]

my grandmother used to say you dont pass nothing until your dead so you shouldnt just people cause you dont know where you will be some day.

[LekiaLPTBeauty]

This is oh so true. I am guilty of it myself, growing up in a inner city and seeing this so much sometimes I am insensitive to the true problem and may just think, oh just another "head" asking for money to get a fix. Good video!

[DolceVita]

i am soooooooo hating on your hair, its always so damn beautiful!! How is that fair??

[mignondee]

Hey, Sis! Okay, so my day was sooooo lazy! LOL...I have been wanting to do videos but it just ain't happening... Ready to have this baby... like right now! I forgot what it feels like to be normal! LOL... Oh, but I do have a small vintage costume jewelry vid that I am going to do that I think you will like!!! So be looking out for that... Oh, yea, I think we all have encountered men like you discussed... sad situation... smh

[onli1luv]

love this!!! sooooo true, i hate when people look down on others< thanks for keeping it real!!!

[Sheshe416]

What a generous spirt you have. We all need to take the time to recognize the God force in everyone. So cool of you.

There but for the grace of God......

Many Blessings

[yagurlnell]

UGH I'm sooo jealous of ur hair right now! Is there a tut somewhere? Med school has really put me behind, I need to catch up on ur vids! But you look hot! We have the same hair type and i'd love to rock this style asap lol. But anyway, love the vid...real talk! I'd do the same thing u did, and have done so. LMBO @ the "ur pretty beautiful" haha...kills me everytime

[blessedone337]

People need to have more compassion...like you said regardless of where the person is in their life; they are still hurting.

Good word sis!

[olamina]

did you get a new camera? it looks great. which one is it?

[AFRICANEXPORT]

@olamina Same camera Zi8 by kodak

[niebunny]

I had a terrible morning i was coughing up my lungs..gurl. i had to miss class and everything but neways i started to feel alot better after i got some much needed rest but my allergies plus this weather is going to kill me(not literally)...Neways, i grew up in Jersey so I know exactly what your talking about and I am one of the people that give away the money. I have actually sat down and talked to a few people but I still give what i can...oh and you look beautiful as usual..many blessings

[shortysgs03]

You took it too far...we were just talking!! ahaha I like the idea of this..keep it coming!

[pintofowl]

im so mad my dad curse me out again saying i should relax my hair cause it does'nt look good and i will not find a job i feel so sick and tired of this, First of all i have 4a/4b hair earlenght my hair has never been healthy i groom my hair it smell good i feel so bad.i dont know im tired of thr bring down im a student going in the medical field it would be stupid not to get a job for hair smh thats my day thanks for the vidoe africanexport. god bless.

[astrozier1]

girl my mama is like that any money i get i have to give to her to pay the bills because when she gets paid she spends all of her money on the lottery people look at me like (when i did have a job) why do you have a job and don't buy clothes and your hair not fixed because all my money goes to my mama even now im in school and most of my refund checks go to her. its sad

[GRACEnFAVOR]

I drive for the city and see it all day every day. I have had groups of them sit at the back of the bus bragging about the gov. check they get and how they don't have to work. I'll drop them off on one trip and come back and they r standing on the corner hustling for money or selling stolen goods. I also see where it makes it harder for those that really need the help to get help. In the begining all i felt was disgust but I have learned to send up a prayer b/c it could easily be me

[mschris014]

See, chatting with that cat was coo' and all, but I had the situation where dude had a sign asking for food, and I just so happened to have a banana. I flag him over to get the banana and dude reaches in the car for my purse!! Now I have to pull over and chase this fool for my sh*t!! Little did he know I used to run track!

[bebegurl31291]

@mschris014- Man you had me lauging like WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ikkinnikk]

@mschris014 You should of went up to him and gave him the banana! Oh no! Thank god for track!

[ettisen]

@mschris014 LOL. Haaaaa! Too funny! But sorry about your purse.

[ThePinkSongstress]

Great topic...

[my0hmai]

v, i simply adore you! love the video!

[Br0wnSgr]

I remember my grandma told me though ' It is not up to us to judge. The one we may turn away, may be the one who we will have to turn to help in the future.'

[Br0wnSgr]

Pause 'He looks like one of them ones, who is kinda self-destructed' I feel bad for laughing, but I did, I KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT! -Ok play...lol

[shootingstargaze]

"One of them ones"...LMAO, you crack me up AE:)

[bmw0688]

Hey girl! Love your videos! How do I request the coupon code for Bear Fruit Hair? I'd love to try your leave in :) Thanks!

[naturallocksdvm]

My dog bite a homeless man in the azz as we were coming out of Petsmart. He was digging in the trash at the entrance. He man started hollering for the po po &I apologized. He dropped the matter, but I felt sorry for him & thought the least I could do was buy the man a hot meal. I didn't have cash so I stopped at the closest fast food spot & got him a combo & went back to find him. He was thankful but tried to hit me up for cigarettes too. I don't carry cash so he had to settle 4 the food.

[modhutch]

It's great that you tried to help him. We can all learn from everyone and should never think we're better b/c of status. PS - Love your glasses, where are they from?

[GROFOOPERS]

I hear you, AE. I think we've all ran into this situation. You were probably the only "Christ " this man had received that day. You allowed your light to shine, but you always do. Thanks for keeping it real!

[naturallocksdvm]

those situations R hard, because I feel sorry 4 them & if I have something to give I will. But nowadays we live in a debit society when folks don't carry cash like that anymo...at least I don't. I also have to be on my guard not to get BUSSED IN DA HEAD so I keep the interaction brief & send up a prayer for them, cause ya never know when it might be U...God forbid.

[katrina10027]

All I can say is Amen, Amen, Amen. I truly believe we are all a paycheck away from being homeless or down on our luck especially with this recession. My day was a test. God is always testing us to see if we will pass or fail. Hopefully I passed even through my frustration I still gotta GRIND to take care of my family. Thanks again for the 2 cents we all need a reminder.

[enaruvie]

Kudos to you for stopping - I prolly would not have, just handed over some dough and been on my way!

[jewelleg]

u look so fly, love your style

[maximuslyricus]

At any rate, if u have any knowledge or experience with this type of situation, I'd love to hear about it.

[maximuslyricus]

spent in school was a day wasted. Things seem to be going even further downhill. I truly believe that we lose our black boys not when they drop out of high school, but during the time when the teachers shuffle them through middle school. From there it's just a waiting game on the boys' part - waiting to get old enough to drop out so they can be done with the nonsense. But not my son. At least not as long as I live.

[PearlfectJourney]

Wisely spoken words, AE! Thanks for sharing your experience and letting us know how your day was.

[kneenee71]

Gurl, when you broke out with the lyrics. I had to go on and hit the like button , while LMBO!

[maximuslyricus]

forth with my 12 year old son's teacher and administrators. Fact is, if I can't get no satisfaction/cooperation/care from her nor the school administrators asap, I'm gonna have to pull my son and home school him for the remainder of the school year. Too wore out to go too much into it. Bottom line is I'll be d--n if I let these idiots shuffle my son through school uneducated. Up til now, when I've assisted my son and/or checked his homework, I've always gotten the feeling that the day he

[maximuslyricus]

Hey AE. In a situation like that, I definitely give a buck or two and keep it moving. I know that some people might need the money and others might be just trying to get that next fix or etc, but the way I figure it, what they do with the money is between them and God. As far as lingering to offer a kind word of advice, be careful, cause u never know who might be a little off center. As for my day, I'm going back and

[VickyVue]

@maximuslyricus Exactly, you just have to use WISDOM! yes, giving someone assistance is fine, however, using wisdom prior to is key, especially when you're a woman. maximuslyricus, I have to agree, an ounce of precaution is far better than a pound of cure, period, and yes, that's keeping it real!

[lyfeluvdrama]

Did you go to the one on Hegenberger by 880? Lmao! Girl...that Wally World is off the hook!

[missladyt317]

"One of them ones...lol Love the "Realness"

[prettyinpink97]

I truly understand. Im from New Orleans and its everywhere you o. I give but I recently came across a clean shaven guy he asked for money I didnt have any all I had was my card he then asked me well can you buy me som stuff off your card?!?!? I was stunned last time I checked beggers couldnt be choosers. I find that the ones that need dont ask and the ones who can make a change ask for change down here

[KillaKham89]

"It's written all over his faaace" LMAO girl you had me dying!

[tiffhoney207]

speak on it sis!

[TheSoulfulSista]

your hair looks great today! good thing you talked to the young man. you plant the seed someone else comes and waters it and something else waters it a little more and eventually it grows into a full grown tree that produces fruit for itself.

[Jadison03]

You be killing me AE!! Not a lil lint, not a lil change!! LOL!!

[FireBallThePony]

yup Philly all around lol my day was kool but it could of been better. i wouldnt give him change, just hope :) i meet these kind all the time

[LuBellaCoils]

Why do some men think that the only thing they need is a **** *****! That does not pay the bills, take me out to dinner, etc, etc. And your last statement was nicely said. God doesn't give us our gifts/talents to look down on others.  Its to help others.

[vivacious1083]

Great topic. We all need reminders to not be so quick to judge and realize that that could be us. Living in Nyc, in a way, I've become desensitized to homelessness but when I went almost two years unemployed, I realized that it could have easily been me if I didn't have a good support system and wonderful family which many don't have. That experience change my outlook on a lot of things. Love the hair and glasses today too. :D

[AFRICANEXPORT]

@vivacious1083 Yea its like that in SF. People literally walk over somenoe sleeping on the concrete. It's like damn, no second thought!? Its crazy how it is. I told him how the world wont give a damn about him, so he needs to do better for himself. I know its hard but I couldnt listen to excuses... trust me he had many

~keep it real

[arluvsista]

Thanks for keeping us real on situations like the one you had. Thanks for sharing that story!

[160Days2Lose2]

Uhhh what kind of Wamart are you going to? LOL I guess Walmarts aren't always the same. I never been to one where people were selling things or begging for anything.

That's unfortunate that people can't shop in peace! Ugh! I would have to ask the manager to call 504! For real!

Anyway, nice for you to talk to that young man. Hopefully his words got through to you. Did he end up leaving the parking lot to go ponder on your advice?

[Kandie0101]

LMAO @ it's written all over his face. Girl you a fool, lol

[shanihunt]

wanted to say some would say. I guess you are right a video response would have been better



[shanihunt]

I feel you on what you said about being better, but I think some people feel like I'm tired of people begging me and you know they want just your money. If a person is hungry and you offer some food instead. So will so no. because they want the money. I'm not saying all. If you have the time and that person is open then cool talk, but most I feel are not. And you are right sometimes that person can be your family and they have to hit bottom. but let them know you are here for them.

[tycw1932]

"GIVE 'EM A LIL LINT..A LIL CHANGE.." LMBO HAAAAAAAAA!!!! oh wow, i'm dyin here mamacita lol

[ConnectedToMeNow]

The situation of the person wasn't funny, but You had me rollin...

[yardiechick1276]

I LOVE THE HAIR TODAY!