Dispatches from Nappyville: WTF, NPR? Way to totally mischaracterize discussions about black women, hair and Michelle Obama
by Guest Contributor Tami, originally published at What Tami Said
That Farai Chideya is no longer holding it down at NPR’s “News & Notes” is abundantly clear. Yesterday’s “News & Notes” segment–” The Obama Effect on Black Women’s Hair Issues–was some serious insipid nonsense. Since the dawning of the Obama era, I’ve sensed a disturbing trend in coverage of black women’s issues by mainstream media. Having a black First Lady seems to have inspired the media to take some notice of the unique lives of African American women. Good. Problem is, the gently increased coverage is shallow and inconsequential, and often has the feel of detached voyeurism–academically peering at the exotic world and strange habits of black women (oddly, this is so, even when the work is presided over by black women). A product of these travel guides to Blackchicksylvania is the “Lawd, us black wimmin’s hair sho is complicated” story, which usually includes the meme that Michelle Obama’s hair is a hot topic among black women. And so goes the “News & Notes” piece by Allison Samuels, featuring celebrity stylist Marcia Hamilton.
Says Samuels, “We now have an African American president, with an African American wife and two African American daughters. So now we talk a lot about hair–things we probably didn’t talk about when we had First Ladies who were not African American. So, the conversation has gone from one end to the other. Should Michelle wear more natural hair? Should she cut her hair? Should she have a perm? Should she press and curl? Why do we have such an obsession, even now, in 2009, with black women and hair?”
First, I would love to know where these purported conversations about Michelle Obama’s hair are taking place. Where is this obsession with her tresses flowering? So far, I’ve seen several articles about the phenomenon (I believe Salon has peddled it, too.), but have yet to experience it among any, y’know, actual black women. As far as I can tell, in real life, no one is riding Michelle to bust out the cornrows at the next State dinner. (According to Samuels, black female bloggers are calling for Michelle and her daughters to be champions of black hair. Why’s everybody got to blame the bloggers these days? I’m plugged into the top black blogs and haven’t seen any such discussion percolating. Hmmmm.)
Now, there has been some discussion about how the politics of black hair might effect the politics of the nation. It is no coincidence that when Michelle Obama was portrayed as a radical on the cover of The New Yorker, the cartoonist drew her with a big ass afro. And many nappies have noted that Barack Obama may not have been elected president if the woman at his side had been rocking twists or locs. Natural, black hair is demonized in our society. People often attach meaning to it where none exists. I assume that Michelle Obama likes her hair just fine. But anyone with a lick of sense should understand why the styles she chooses tend to be straight and conservative. If I were Michelle Obama and my spouse were a black man seeking the highest office in the land in a country still struggling with racial bias, I’m pretty sure that I’d wear a flattering, conservative, straight style, too. Not to mention the look she had to maintain while climbing the corporate ladder herself.
Recognizing the politics involved in Michelle Obama’s appearance is not the same as calling for her to be the poster child for nappydom. Although you all know I advocate natural hair, I recognize that the decision to wear it is not one to be taken lightly. As much as I might like to see more black women decide that nappy is beautiful and professional and elegant, I’m not about forcing my choices on other women when I won’t be the one living with the consequences.
Many black women have fraught relationships with their hair because we are the only race of women who are expected to change the natural properties of our natural hair to be deemed acceptable–professionally and personally. Rather than discuss this in a meaningful way, Samuels and Hamilton normalize the pathology surrounding black women’s hair.
Some choice quotes from the report:
“Our hair needs certain enhancements…”
“Black female hair can’t handle the stress of ‘getting done’ every day…”
“Don’t all little black girls get their hair straightened on special occaisions?”
“In our community, straight hair represents a more polished look.”
There is a lot of discussion about the damage created by heat and manipulation to achieve straight styles a la Beyonce…the need for weaves and extentions…and some offhand acknowlegement that the deifying of straight hair is a learned societal value, but the conversation never comes back around to the ridiculousness of black women having to go to such great lengths to be accepted. No one ever brings up this simple fact:
Black hair can be styled every day and maintained with ease if it is worn as it is naturally meant to be.
White women’s hair would be deemed “difficult” too if society suddenly decided that ponytails and straight bobs are “radical” and “too ethnic,” and only tightly-kinked hair is acceptable. If white women had to use chemicals and extreme lengths to maintain afros or kinky twists, then people might roll their eyes and snicker “you know white women and their hair,” too.
But Samuels and Hamilton position straightening and weaving as simply what we have to do to look good. Even as they decry the idea of “good” hair, they also dish about special suppliers that provide the best Indian hair for high-quality weaves, stashing your weave in the glove compartment of your car in case you need it (Huh?) and Hamilton actually suggests that men wanting a black woman with real hair “go to Africa.” She then acknowleges that even women in Africa are wearing weaves. (Yippee! Sarcasm.)
I am offically over the Michelle Obama/hair discussion. If we can’t have a real talk about black hair, then let’s not have one at all, particularly in the mainstream media. And let’s leave Michelle Obama out of it. With her fierce intelligence and accomplishments, there is so much more that she can be to our country and the black community than our “Great Black [Hair] Hope.”
Carmen Van Kerckhove is co-founder and president of
Solange wrote:
About 7 years ago my hair began falling out in clumps. I went to ever doctor I could (they told me they had no idea what the problem was) until I was able to find an African American dermatologist that specializes in women of color. He informed me that i had an allergic reaction to the chemical relaxers that I have been using basically all my life and it has cause me to have scarring alopecia (the hair does not grow back). He added that if I continued to perm my hair I would be completely bald. Luckily I was able to stop before I lost all me hair (still have a couple of bald spots though.
Anyway this forced me to go natuaral and I mean forced. My hair is veru coarse and I did not know ow to do my hair natuarally (crazy many of us do not know what to do with our natural hair) so I locked my hair. The transition was difficult, i felt like my identity changed, the way people black, white and every other color viewed me was different. Suddenly people would ask me things like ‘have you been to Africa?”, “Are you Ms. Black Power”. and these were from people of color. other races would often look at my lock in amazement or disgust.
I love my locks – even if I did not choose them at first. I will admit to missing my perm because it allowed me to assimilate a bit more.
Posted 05 Mar 2009 at 12:37 pm ¶
Monie wrote:
The media loves to examine Black people as if we are not quite human, as if we are some sort of alien species. Black people in the media are not immune to this narrative and some seem to take pleasure in advancing it. I suppose they get big kudos from some of their White counterparts?
Anyway I’ve never in my life altered my hair chemically. My mother didn’t force that on me (thank whichever higher power I’m acknowledging today) and I’m not going to do it to myself.
Also I might add that the media seems to conveniently ignore the fact that many White women and women of other ethnic groups wear weaves, hair extensions, perms, etc.
BTW, Allison Samuels is a hack.
Posted 05 Mar 2009 at 12:42 pm ¶
Cara wrote:
wow, thanks for this post. Actually I saw the responses on the npr site and I didn’t bother litening to the segment……I’ve been natural for 8 years now. I press my hair on ocations….but damnit, it’s just not that serious to me! At the end of the day, it’s just hair. It’s not worth a national conversation. Sorry if I T ppl off, but you shouldn’t be a “slave” to any type of hair style – natural, weave, or otherwise. Really, when did Hilary Clintons hair b/c a topic of discussion on national radio during the Clinton presidency….and did it ever become a topic that related and generalized all white women’s hair – NO of course not.
Posted 05 Mar 2009 at 12:42 pm ¶
Sooz wrote:
Maybe it is because I am a white girl and therefore missing out on the Black Women Hivemind or something, but most of the stuff I’ve seen about the First Lady has been more, “Man, y’all, she has awesome outfits!” I haven’t seen thing one about her hair.
Posted 05 Mar 2009 at 12:50 pm ¶
Jasmine wrote:
@Cara, I definitely agree w/ the whole “you shouldn’t be a slave to any hairstyle”…because it truly is *just* hair! No matter how you wear it, it’s not what defines you as a person and it doesn’t make you any better or lesser if you wear it one way as opposed to another…
Posted 05 Mar 2009 at 12:58 pm ¶
A.D. Nix wrote:
That was a mess (the segment, not the post). My god, those quotes. Also:
“Explain to the audience that our hair texture is . . . well, you know . . . ” No what? It’s what? And then they launch into a “good hair” “bad hair” ‘oh, why those concepts still exist???’ discussion. Well, dears, what ideas do you think you just reinforced with all of your “better” “polished” talk?
And all little black girls did not/do not get their hair straightened – and even if they did, why not get into the ‘whys’? Jesus.
This was a waste of a conversation. Infuriating. I’m maxed out on exasperation.
I don’t see what the point of this was. Other than to recommend clip-on extensions to Michelle Obama (WTF!). You know, for “volume.”
Posted 05 Mar 2009 at 1:00 pm ¶
SayNay wrote:
“I am offically over the Michelle Obama/hair discussion. If we can’t have a real talk about black hair, then let’s not have one at all, particularly in the mainstream media.”
I definitely co-sign on this. As a woman with natural hair, the last thing I think about Michelle Obama is why isn’t she a representative for natural hair. There are far too many issues surrounding her position as the first black woman in the white house for discussions of her hair to be of note.
I mean let’s talk about how recent public obsession with her wearing sleeveless dresses is sparking discussions about black female hyper-sexuality (WTF!) Or how we’re only seeing the tip of the iceberg of racism (oops I meant satire) surrounding the Obamas in the white house. There’s more but these are the two that are really irking me right now.
Any media discussion about black hair is and will continue to be superficial and anecdotal because as Tami stated people don’t want to get at the heart of the real issues. I too would love for all black women to embrace their natural, but support individual choice. Yet I wonder to what extent that choice is individual when many of us are trained from birth that the natural has got to go.
Posted 05 Mar 2009 at 1:13 pm ¶
CEdwards wrote:
Anyone hear the narrator of “Wild Kingdom” speaking whenever the media starts talking about black women’s hair?
“….Here we have the black woman, large and majestic, pruning her thick, unruly and wild hair into amazing curls and tendrils…”
I swear sometimes I feel like they’re talking about us again as objects or animals behind cages. Why is it I know SO much about the care, styling and management of Caucasian hair and the mainstream still knows so little about ours?
Posted 05 Mar 2009 at 2:00 pm ¶
Chris Chambers wrote:
I haven’t seen many comments from women who don’t go “natural” so far on the blog. I don’t see, work, socialize or party with video vixens, weave queens, hip hop moguls’ trophy grielfriends or Real Housewives of ATL. Just working sisters, whether they’re up on the Hill, or at Georgetown (or black female Georgetown students), or hell, at Giant or Safeway or at huge law firms. I’d say the the number with “natural” hair styles (whatever that may be) are outnumbered 2-1. My wife, my sister, my sisters in law. My late mother, my nieces…all spend time and expend sweat at the salon because yeah, in our society it represents a more polished look. Such is life. If NPR wants to turn it into an anthropological/sociological turned fluff piece, so?
I’d be thankful we have a black First Lady and the media’s covering, by extension from her, the more mundane and intimate aspects of our lives, no matter how superficially, than ignoring us. We were studied like violent zoo animals before. Now, we have a foot in the door of coverage, though dumb often, is still not on pathology. I wish they’d extend that to black males who try to dress, speak, comport themselves like they had sense, class, an education. That’s my only beef with NPR and others. Michelle and the sistas get all the ink. But then again, and here’s the rub: females make up the audience. Invoking curiosity in, say, a demo of white females means market share increases. If Missy Ann wants to know about black women’s hair, Jesus Christ so what?
I think the travails and triumphs of minority MEN is much more interesting…;-)
Posted 05 Mar 2009 at 2:01 pm ¶
gatamala wrote:
sigh
Posted 05 Mar 2009 at 2:05 pm ¶
Jaya wrote:
So far, we’ve seen people obsess over Michelle Obama’s ass, arms, clothes, and now.. hair?
Did they do this to Laura Bush??
Posted 05 Mar 2009 at 2:29 pm ¶
thesciencegirl wrote:
@Soozm I’m sorry, “Black Women Hivemind?” WTH is that?
Posted 05 Mar 2009 at 3:02 pm ¶
Lisa J wrote:
@ the sciencegirl cosign I guess we are space aliens or bees now too.
Posted 05 Mar 2009 at 4:00 pm ¶
Amused0472 wrote:
I can’t believe that piece was 17 minutes long. I think there are more important things for people to be obsessing over if they are going to spend that much time and energy. But I did think it was hilarious when the stylist said she kept her hair in the glove compartment. I think if anyone were to ask Michelle Obama to her face about her hairstyle and how to support black women and women in general, I hope she would simply reply “Do you.”
Posted 05 Mar 2009 at 4:17 pm ¶
Dane wrote:
I think that the “hivemind” comment was referring to group think. Since the NPR hosts seemed to imply that black women, as a group are having this giant behind doors hair conversation–the hivemind–of the borg must have sprang to mind for the commenter Sooz.
Don’t know where to put it other than that. Also, all of this attention to the hair, clothing and bare arms on Mrs. O are starting to become annoying.
Posted 05 Mar 2009 at 4:24 pm ¶
Miles Ellison wrote:
Stories like this are the reason that people NEED to give money to NPR? What insight are they providing that people are missing? Is this even important?
Posted 05 Mar 2009 at 4:49 pm ¶
Lisa J wrote:
@Dane. Except in the context of this post and another one, not sure if it was this or another blog, I have not discussed in real life Michelle Obama’s hair with anyone and have only really thought about it in terms of, “it looks nice.” Not sure where this group think thing is coming from b/c we, like every other major “racial” group in the country definitely do not think teh same thing on everything, or even most things. Not to say you are saying that just that the original comment was sort of a “say what!” thing. I assumed that was where she was going. A little over the top.
Posted 05 Mar 2009 at 5:06 pm ¶
Winn wrote:
“BTW, Allison Samuels is a hack.”
@Monie,
Goddess, do I co-sign with this! One of the worst things about Farai leaving before the end of News and Notes is the increased airtime Samuels has received. How the hell did she get a gig at Newsweek? She’s supposed to be an entertainment reporter, yet she seems to know virtually nothing about filmmaking , actor resumes, Hollywood politics, or anything that might actually, you know, shed some light on what she is supposed to be discussing. However, at least then she was confined to brief segments one day every couple of weeks. Now her insipidity has invaded the show.
And excuse me, but as a former actor who keeps her foot in the field as a voiceover artist, how the heck did someone so inarticulate get on the radio? I cringe whenever I hear her, because she sounds clumsy and unsure almost all the time. I’ve hearted Farai for years, so I admit I’m biased, but she is a great example of how to be professional, confident and casually accessible at the same time. Samuels just tries too hard, and it comes off as obnoxious. I NEVER thought I’d say this, but I’m ready for News and Notes to end. It has devolved quite a bit from what it used to be, and now only a visit by Carmen to the Blogger’s Roundtable compels me to tune in.
Posted 05 Mar 2009 at 5:06 pm ¶
harrietsdaughter wrote:
ugh…. I’m glad I missed the segment. And yes, @2 Moni – I agree with you re Allison Samuels.
Posted 05 Mar 2009 at 5:28 pm ¶
Sobia wrote:
Man! This combined with people’s obsession with the fact that some Muslim women cover their hair makes it seem like mainstream media is totally obsessed with minority women’s hair. WTH?
Posted 05 Mar 2009 at 6:34 pm ¶
Ruchama wrote:
Interesting. I’m white, but with very curly/frizzy hair. I was complaining once that whenever I go to get my hair cut, the stylist always tries to convince me to straighten my hair, and it usually takes a while to convince her that no, I want it curly. Then I’d generally end up with a weird-looking cut, because they’d cut it as if I were planning to wear it straight, which just doesn’t work when I want to wear it curly. A black friend who heard me complaining told me to try going to a black beauty parlor, since they know how to cut curly hair. I gave it a try, and the stylist at the black salon was even more insistent on straightening my hair than the ones at the white salons usually were.
Posted 05 Mar 2009 at 7:18 pm ¶
Alicia wrote:
After hearing this segment during the week, I was shocked. I’m ready as well for News and Notes to end. Between this and the fronted “barbershop” segments, it’s starting to drive me crazy. I’m just glad we still have Tell Me More. : /
Posted 05 Mar 2009 at 7:31 pm ¶
Monie wrote:
@Winn & harrietsdaughter
I’ve wondered how Allison got the gig at Newsweek too.
What a sad way for N&N to end. They should have killed the show when Farai left.
Sigh.
Posted 05 Mar 2009 at 8:35 pm ¶
Eleanor wrote:
I think there is also a dash (or more?) of putting all uppity women in their place, whatever their race or ethnicity via discussions of the strange rituals of grooming themselves to be publicly presentable – what with their weird, strange female bodies – slightly less than human bodies.
I’m old enough to remember the endless discussions of Hillary’s Clinton’s hair styles when Bill was running for President in ‘92. I even remember a photo spread from sometime early in his fist term (late in the election cycle?) showing head shots of Hillary with all her different hair styles as she and the early Clinton stylists struggled to find something they/she/the MSM was happy with. I still remember being pissed off that there was this strong tone of satisfaction that press harping on her various styles had actually had an effect because she kept changing her look… I mean, here was this accomplished woman who was a full time part of her husband’s political team and her freaking headbands and cookie recipes were what they wanted from her.
Which is not to derail from the full on ‘how weird are Black Chicks and their HAIR’ shit going on now – but only to complain (again) about that whole interconnected ‘isms thing.
Posted 05 Mar 2009 at 9:01 pm ¶
anna wrote:
I use “hivemind” when talking about the internet as a group of people all linked together (borrowed slang from the ask metafilter site). I always thought of it referencing any online community, just by how they’re connected (electronically, not ideologically.)
Posted 05 Mar 2009 at 10:43 pm ¶
Lisa J wrote:
@Anna, thanks for clarifying.
Peace
Posted 06 Mar 2009 at 12:46 am ¶
Jen wrote:
@Eleanor Totally! It’s a variation on the “Whee, those Ladiez, they sure do spend a lot of time in front of the mirror, don’t they?” line that gets trotted out at all female politicians. Just with a charming edge of “Wow, and black chicks are extra weird!” for good measure. As a female journalist, I really do wish my similarly gendered colleagues would just not take part in this crap.
God forbid that Mrs Obama just be left in peace to do whatever the hell she wants with her scalp. And what sort of hideous scrutiny are the girls going to come under later on? Remember when Rush Limbaugh compared Chelsea to a dog? And he’s still around. Awesome. Sascha and Malia should probably just get really big hats to wear for the duration of their dad’s presidency.
Posted 06 Mar 2009 at 1:29 am ¶
Jess wrote:
I had to post this here because one of the initial comments, Solange’s, pained me. Really.
I never looked at cornrows or dreads with “disgust.” That reaction seems so inhuman to me. I mean, it’s just wrong.
But I was curious — has anyone here got a handle on the history here? Is straighter styling is more or less popular these days than in years past? Did the Reagan Era mean anything viz. pushback on the ‘fro?
With the increasing number of people I see wearing dreadlocks and rows, I’d have thought straightened hair would have fallen out of favor, but I have zero fashion sense and I am not connected with the whole culture in any real way. Plus, Beyonce and Tyra are out there as the standard bearers for beauty these days, or so it seems to me.
My childhood was in the 70s, and I grew up around a bunch of radicals, so maybe that colors my reactions as well.
Posted 06 Mar 2009 at 9:10 am ¶
Candelaria wrote:
None of the Black women I know has said anything derogatory about Ms. Obama’s hair. Most of my friends have gone from straight to natural (whatever that means for their particular hair type) to locks back to other styles. It’s made up nonsense.
Posted 06 Mar 2009 at 9:45 am ¶
Jeromi wrote:
Its interesting that you should mention none of the blogs seem to be talking about Michelle’s hair but a lot of blogs that cater to African-American hair are talking about it.
Posted 06 Mar 2009 at 10:04 am ¶
Nicole wrote:
I have beautiful long locs. Many Black women, where I live, want their hair natural, but they don’t think Black men will accept them with natural hair, which is so odd because Black men give themselves a pass to be natura–locs, afros, and suchl; and so, I really believe Black women should do what’s best for them when it comes to our personal identity, which is the way we want to dress, act, and wear our hair. We shouldn’t feel that our hair will get in our way of living a happy life. People who really like and love you will love should love and like you regardless of how you wear your hair. I have been wearing locs for seven years now, and I fell more beautiful than I have ever felt in my entire life. It’s a hairstyle that fits me.
Posted 06 Mar 2009 at 11:11 am ¶
Joseph wrote:
::Pokes his curly head through the door::
@Sobia
Cosign. I was thinking the same thing “This is just like the obsession with the veil…”
Best response I ever heard to derail that discussion was by Rania of Jordan who said “I am more interested in what is going on inside women’s heads, rather than what’s going on top of their heads.”
…Seems like that sentiment applies here as well.
Posted 06 Mar 2009 at 11:36 am ¶
bluesky wrote:
I don’t doubt that websites dedicated to Black hair are talking about Ms. Obama’s hairstyles. But, those sites are specific and are not necessarily representative of Black women.
I’d wager that more people are talking about her clothes than her hair. Her hairstyles are relatively conservative and nondescript. There is really not a lot to say about her hair if you aren’t going to address racial stereotypes, the othering of Black women, etc. As Tami as others have pointed out, NPR seems pretty content to tackle the subject in a pretty superficial manner.
Posted 06 Mar 2009 at 12:53 pm ¶
bluesky wrote:
I meant to write, “As Tami and others have pointed out, NPR seems pretty content to tackle the subject in a pretty superficial manner.”
Posted 06 Mar 2009 at 12:54 pm ¶
Lola wrote:
I read several black woman and/or natural hair care blogs and never once have they discussed Michelle Obama’s hair texture. I call BS.
Posted 06 Mar 2009 at 1:35 pm ¶
A. wrote:
Except – my black ass doesn’t gives two shits about Michelle Obama’s hair. I don’t really CARE about her hair texture. I’ve never even heard the “good hair/nappy hair” argument ever used in regards to her or her daughters.
I’m telling you, America cares way too damn much about our hair. Is it that intriguing that folks feel like they have to TOUCH IT inbetween my damn perms?
Posted 06 Mar 2009 at 3:42 pm ¶
David Cone wrote:
My wife straightens her hair. Her choice. She’s worn it natural before, so either way works for me.
@Solange,
I can’t believe how folks would have the balls to comment on your hair other than “I like your hair” of course, the old rule: if you can’t say something nice…… what is wrong with people these days.
Then again, my wife has experienced the opposite when folks, black and white, as her if our son’s father is white (I’m black) because his hair has a different texture than hers. He’s also lighter than his moms (as am I.) The wife is getting tired of being mistaken for the nanny.
But that’s the world we live in.
Posted 06 Mar 2009 at 3:59 pm ¶
jordan wrote:
I was getting ready to defend this piece (the NPR piece) as a worthy human interest story. Then they went on for 17 minutes about the hair styles of black women as if Michelle Obama were first black woman in American rather than the first black first lady.
I was hoping for some comparison to past first ladies and the mixed feelings we seem to have about their physical appearances. Americans want their first ladies to be kind of feminine but not sexy, kind of serious looking, but not to exceed the seriousness of their husbands.
I think Michelle has to walk a thin line between looking like a traditional first lady and looking like the young, stylish black woman that she is personally. I feel like she has a very good grasp on her image in the same way that her husband seems to control his image. They are self aware, but not self conscious. I find it pretty fascinating. Judging by this NPR piece, I don’t think the mainstream media has yet to find a way to talk about it without essentializing the role of race.
Posted 06 Mar 2009 at 6:25 pm ¶
MelMel wrote:
Hairhairhair-hairdy-hairhair,Michelle’shairhair,hardyhairhairgoodhair-badhairhairdyharharharrrrr
enough.
Posted 06 Mar 2009 at 10:08 pm ¶
Hibbs4Prez wrote:
You ladies beat me to the punch. As soon as I saw Alison Samuels’ name the first thing that came to my mind was “oh, that hack again.” But I became aware of Ms. Samuels’ hack-ness from a different perspective than you folks.
A few years back when latina Eve Mendes was asked in a woman’s magazine about the various black male onscreen love interests she had had, Mendes made a comment that would eventually make some shock waves . She commented (and I’m paraphrasing a bit) that Hollywood studios would not pair white females with black male stars on screen so they would go after Hispanic women like herself. She mentioned she was fortunate to benefit from this type of thinking but she also pointed out how ridiculous racist it was for Hollywood, in the 21st century, to still be that bigoted in its thinking in pairing a black male with a white female in a mainstream Hollywood flick.
When I read her remarks I almost cheered because she had spoken about something that had basically been a taboo subject. I felt it was great that someone had brought it up and maybe it would lead to some dialogue . It led to dialogue alright but not the kind I was hoping. You see Alison Samuels picked up on the comments and decided to do a piece about Mendes’ words for Newsweek. But of course Samuels had a reaction to the comment that I’m sure 95% of black women (at least would). And that reaction was basically “What about all the black actresses out there?”
Yep. Samuels took the conversation in a different direction and that direction was the notion that black actresses were not even getting the opportunity to star alongside black male stars. In fact she even elicited ridiculous comments from folks like Nia Long who stated that black actresses would be shut out as onscreen love interests of black men and therefore would essentially be out of work. Not only was that comment by Nia Long paranoid and preposterous (and also an obvious combination of both a pity party and a rallying cry), it was also a bit hypocritical considering Nia Long had at that time done a couple of films in which she had a white love interest.
Around a year later I came across another of her Newsweek articles. This one was even more bizarre. Her complaint was that Raven Simone wasn’t getting the same tabloid coverage as white celebs such as Britney and Lindsay Lohan. I kid you not. Essentially Samuels came across as a strange dunce who was bemoaning that Raven Simone wasn’t getting stalked by the paparazzi like all the white girls. It made no sense. First of all Samuels was putting Raven on the same pop platform tier of girls like Spears and Lohan. Secondly she was saying it was unfair and racist that Simone was leading a more normal life because the media folks weren’t staking out her driveway. This who dissing by the media of Simone led Samuels into talking about how biased the press is towards white stars (no, duh). As an example she mentioned how black female celebs didn’t get nearly as many magazine covers as white female celebs.! Welll….and? I thought to myself that there were far more white people in America and that they were responsible for most of the magazine buying. Another thought entered my head too. You see during this time I worked part time in a book store in which I was in charge of the magazine section. And I can assure you that back then black female stars were at least five times as likely to be on the cover of a magazine aimed at women than black men would be for mags directed at men. Outside of sports magazines and the occasionally mainstream music mag, black men were not put on covers all that regularly. It would have been nice if Ms Samuels, a black writer with an impressive forum, had addressed that but she kept her writeup strictly about black women.
Finally late last year after Obama won I read a Newsweek piece about Michelle Obama. In it the journalist, who described her self as a black woman, wrote that while it was good that Obama won for many lack ladies (I’m thinking herself included) the most important part of his victory was that a black woman would be First Lady. In fact she made mention that a large number of black women voted for Obama simply because they wanted a First lady who looked like them.
Now I’m not saying that the journalist got her information wrong. But I thought it was absurd, if true, that some black women were so narrow minded concerning the SERIOUS issues facing this country that their vote came down to the race of the First Lady. It presented black females as fools who were more likely to make a major decision based upon race and wanting to see a black Jackie O than they would on knowing a politician’s record. Even more I thought it was a joke that the writer was exploring (and celebrating) this point of view. When I checked out who the journalist was I saw that it was the one and only Alliosn Samuels. A hack indeed.
Posted 07 Mar 2009 at 12:08 am ¶
TM wrote:
“My conditioning has been conditioned….” I speak for all of us (I think). As a black man, I see what black women (mothers) go through in trying to ‘please’ society. CATCH 22? I believe it will take some generations for society to appreciate everyone’s (Black people’s) natural attributions- be vigilant, yet patient. However, by the time we get there, everyone will look the same anyway…? Who knows?
Society “tells” black men (oh so subtly) that ‘you shouldn’t come to work with you hair looking…so “natural”‘. So you should spend $40 a month to keep it in shape OR completely shave it off. (THEY ALL LOOK ALIKE). (I think this strips ALL the personality out of black men).
BTW, I LOVE the look of some of these African women with their hair, either in a ‘Nina Simone’ bun, or in a loose- wavy afro. I’m beginning to see more African American women wearing these styles. Hopefully, this will be a more acceptable look in another generation or so.
EVERYONE IS A PRODUCT OF THE POWER OF THE SUN…..(I’m shocked that many people don’t actually know this).
Also, white women with “truly” white hair, really can’t do much with their hair either- it just hangs. (Not hating, just saying). Even the most European American is mixed with someone of color- some generations ago. So most white women in this day and age, “benefit” from generations of ’smoothing’ from ‘other’ gene pools.
Posted 07 Mar 2009 at 10:54 am ¶
TM wrote:
correction: “Attributes”.
Posted 07 Mar 2009 at 6:24 pm ¶
Hibbs4Prez wrote:
“Society “tells” black men (oh so subtly) that ‘you shouldn’t come to work with you hair looking…so “natural”‘. So you should spend $40 a month to keep it in shape OR completely shave it off. (THEY ALL LOOK ALIKE). (I think this strips ALL the personality out of black men).”
Yes! Absolutely concur that it takes the personality (to an extent) out of black men. My God its like all of us have have to have the same conservative, boring hairstyle, especially if we are to be on Tv or in the movies. Like you said its either the short, short cut or the bald look. But the society that instructs black men to do this is not the mainstream (white) society as much as it is the black society of this country. Black men and black women almost expect (demand) that black guys get a haircut every two weeks and keep it low. Only then do you get the “it looks good” comments. Black parents fret over what they are going to do with their daughters’ hair and spend so much time and money on making sure that the girls get hairstyles that they and especially the parents can be proud of. As for the boys they just drop them off the barbershop and ask the barber to give them the same old cut that can be done in less than five minutes.
Posted 07 Mar 2009 at 6:40 pm ¶
Fiqah wrote:
@TM:
“Society “tells” black men (oh so subtly) that ‘you shouldn’t come to work with you hair looking…so “natural”‘. So you should spend $40 a month to keep it in shape OR completely shave it off. (THEY ALL LOOK ALIKE). (I think this strips ALL the personality out of black men).”
Wholeheartedly seconded. I have said for a while that we talk about how Black women are pressured to relax our hair, but the only TRULY “acceptable” option for a Black man (because locs are not accepted everywhere) is to rock “good” (<—:::shudders::::) hair or a baldy. I mean, I have seen parents bring their infant sons in for hair cuts. Which HURT them. I’m not sure there is absolutely no correlation between how Black men learn to view their own hair and how they view Black womens’. Self-loathing tends to project itself; I mean, if you hate yourself, hating me is easier, right? Anyway, something else for the Black gender relations discussion.
Posted 07 Mar 2009 at 8:55 pm ¶
Aris wrote:
“Society “tells” black men (oh so subtly) that ‘you shouldn’t come to work with you hair looking…so “natural”‘. So you should spend $40 a month to keep it in shape OR completely shave it off. (THEY ALL LOOK ALIKE). (I think this strips ALL the personality out of black men).”
You’re right! I never even noticed. But most Black men do have that same hairstyle….
And about relaxers, weaves and the like…. Am I the only one who hates it when people say, “Well White women weaves too.” GAH! It’s NOT the same thing. You don’t see White women wearing weaves, lace fronts etc. that are completely opposite their hair texture. Like Type 4. When they do throw on a lace front, it is usually straight or wavy–hair types that many of them have naturally anyway. An afro wig is usually only worn for Halloween…..
Sooooooo, when I see 80% of White women donning Type 4 lace fronts, THEN maybe I will see the correlation….. Until then…… =/
Posted 08 Mar 2009 at 9:50 am ¶
TM wrote:
Indeed. I also believe that our hair is tied directly to our health. WE ARE A STRESSED PEOPLE. Neither our parents, nor their parents, encouraged us to run a 10k, or rock climb, ride a bicycle…(You get the point).
BUT THEN SOCIETY DISCOURAGED US ALSO. (’Wanna go to school? Here, take these attack dogs….) I digress.
I’m not talking about high school sports. I mean having a personal daily regimen that promotes health, i.e.. eating properly, running, etc. Black parents have always been guarded with their children when it comes to dealing with (white) society and trying to do what ‘white’ kids do- or can get away with doing. They were right (to a great extent). But WE need to be healthier all around. And then that will positively affect us psychologically and physically. Then we can address our (society’s) hair ‘issues’.
‘Don’t mean to sound like a health nut (I’m not). It’s just that I only see white women jogging/running where I live. I don’t even see white men running anymore (I think they’re at the gym). I see ’some’ black women walking, but rarely see any black men. (For the record, I don’t see Hispanic, Asian, or Middle Eastern men running either). My point? We have to get healthier as a people and then we can be ‘ultra’ proud of our physical attributes.
So where do we go from here? Revolt? And just wear our hair out however????? I’m down.
Posted 08 Mar 2009 at 11:18 am ¶
SenoraChin wrote:
I just celebrated 20 years of natural hair grown in dreadlocks and am convinced that I am one of the finest women on this side of the Mississippi River. I’ve viewed my own hair as dreadlocks, to Nubian locks & now back to embracing the power of dread, all w/in relative comfort in my dark cinnamon brown skin. My hair is always well groomed, beautiful & has always received compliments. I’m in my late 40s I have been married to the same professional Black man for nearly 18 years and have continuously been the receipient of flirtations from numerous men & dare I say so inclined women, over the last 20 years. My professional career has allowed me successful access to work in corporate America, non-profits org. & back biting academia and I believe that my success is because I carry myself like this is the standard of beauty. Yep, I am very fortunate to have confidence in my cloak as I stare down the face of ignorance, nevertheless I heard the N&N broadcast & wanted to throw my radio out the window, b/c I know that tongue tied Allison Samuels nor NPR would have been able to disseminate that insipid dribble over the airwaves on Farai Chideya’s watch. Nuff said.
Posted 08 Mar 2009 at 3:39 pm ¶
TM wrote:
#46 was @ #44 & 43.
Posted 08 Mar 2009 at 7:39 pm ¶
Betty Chambers wrote:
I never thought about Mrs Obama’s hair. It looks great, good, and easy to maintain. It makes me think of cutting my hair to that length. Not.
I like her healthy physique. I’m inspired by that. Her hair is not an issue to me.
Posted 11 Mar 2009 at 1:55 pm ¶