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I had decided not to see Chris Rock's "Good Hair" since my time is limited and so many smart observers had dissected the film thoroughly. But, when I was invited to discuss "colorism" and "Good Hair," on KPFK's radio show "Some of Us are Brave," I had to see it.
My reaction? Well let's put it this way, I was pretty heated and very thankful that I had an outlet to talk about my feelings right away. Call me relieved that Thandisizwe Chimurenga, creator and host of KPFK's "Some of us are Brave," hit the nail on the head when she linked "colorism" and "Good Hair," for our discussion.
The intra-racial disdain for natural, kinky, nappy hair was relentless in "Good Hair," and I was not prepared for it.
I had expected the discomfort of being bombarded with images of so many black women and girls chemically relaxing and weaving in hair. But I did not expect to hear so many black women express full-blown disdain for those of us who choose to wear our hair in kinky Afros or other natural styles. It makes me sad and angry that so many of us have internalized the Caucasian standard of beauty without even questioning it.
Free to be you and me? I am all for that. But in 2010, to have black women and girls believe that their natural hair texture is ugly and less "put together" than hair shorn from some woman's head, on the other side of the world, and sown onto their own, is mind blowing.
WHY do we love the weave and relaxer? WHY do we embrace white styles so enthusiastically?
To listen to the show - Click on the KPFK archive page and scroll down to 'Some of Us Are Brave, Thursday, October 23' - Our segment hits at 35 minutes in.
Comments: (15)
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By: Diva the Queen on 10/28/2009 12:43PM
I used to have relaxers and sew ins. I decided I didnt like chemicals and so much heat on my hair. I went natural and now I have locks. I love them. I figure any hair that grows out of your head, is good hair!
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By: sharon jackson on 10/28/2009 12:43PM
I applaud "Black Women" on what they do to their hair which consist of many changes. Please note that "Hair" is a "fashion" and it doesn't stay the same, so therefore we "add weaves or pieces" to enhance the look that we want. I say to "all women" stay "focus" on what you "believe and you shall achieve no matter what.....because that's what really counts!
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By: Peaches on 10/28/2009 12:45PM
I do not see what the problem is. Let black women wear there hair anyway they want to. Straight, weave, cornrow or nappy. If it makes them feel good about themselves then good. I believe this is 2009 and I believe it is about personel freedom. I have been wearing my hair in a long ponytail forever. I dont care what people think. My hair is clean and is pretty. It is easy to take care of and I dont spend money on it. But if you want a weave then go for it.
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By: peaches on 10/28/2009 8:27PM
Yes it is. You go girl.
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By: Ms.M on 11/07/2009 10:56PM
Black people in the United States and abroad have to realize that our concept of self is largely influced by white supremacy. That is just a fact. So knowing that we should no longer continue to accept the mainstream media's standard of what is beautiful, and in my personal humble opinion we should learn to work with accept the skin color and hair texture that God has given us-whatever that is. It is said that we use toxic chemicals that seep into our pores and our bodies just to look "pretty". We should "accept our own and be ourselves".
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