Stuff happens on the Internet sometimes that makes me wonder. Case in point: A photo of me turned up in someone’s blog post and beneath the picture is this line: “1971 Nightly News.” Problem is that image (which I was never crazy about because it looks like I borrowed my hairstyle from Albert Einstein or Don King) was shot last year, not 29-years ago as that line suggests. Also, Nightly News is the title of NBC’s network news program. I was never associated with it though I did work at WNBC-TV, the local station, for 5 years. There is a difference.
(You’ll find a link to the blog in question at the end of this.)
That said, I appreciate the blogger’s mention of me. But I disagree with the commentary describing the back-and-forth about natural versus permed or weaved hair as a debate. In my opinion it’s not a debate at all. More like people in media looking to stir up controversy on a slow news day, aided and abetted by fearful folks who think their way is the only way. And when you throw in Chris Rock and his movie, you’ve got distraction posing as a documentary fronted by a comedian who seemed to be in over his head trying to be funny (or is it serious?) about black women and their hair.
Real dialogue, on the other hand, is what occurred at last year’s Heads Up! A Soulful Celebration of Our HAIRitage. This program at Brooklyn’s Kumble Theatre was an invitation to “talk, laugh and be fearlessly tender-headed.” It featured an academic, a filmmaker, and an environmentalist joined by writers, hair care entrepreneurs, musicians and performers who engaged in a grown-up, thoughtful and multi-layered look at issues, implications and assumptions related to our hair. No name calling. No finger pointing. No taking sides about whose hair is better than anyone else’s. A standing-room-only audience walked away with plenty of food for thought.
In her commentary, the blogger asks, “What has hair to do with advancing our people or solving any of the societal ills black people are facing today?” I think whenever our hair prompts dialogue that gives us insights into these conditions, it’s a good thing. Whenever discussions about our hair opens doors for developing strategies to resist self-limiting ideas, it’s a good thing. Whenever reasoning about our hair helps us dismantle the insidious notion that being black is some kind of disability, rather than a gift, it’s a good thing.
So, I say let enlightened discussions continue. We’ll be doing our part on September 29th 2010 when we present the next edition of Heads Up! A Soulful Celebration of Our HAIRitage.
Stay tuned.
(You’ll find a link to the blog in question at the end of this.)
That said, I appreciate the blogger’s mention of me. But I disagree with the commentary describing the back-and-forth about natural versus permed or weaved hair as a debate. In my opinion it’s not a debate at all. More like people in media looking to stir up controversy on a slow news day, aided and abetted by fearful folks who think their way is the only way. And when you throw in Chris Rock and his movie, you’ve got distraction posing as a documentary fronted by a comedian who seemed to be in over his head trying to be funny (or is it serious?) about black women and their hair.
Real dialogue, on the other hand, is what occurred at last year’s Heads Up! A Soulful Celebration of Our HAIRitage. This program at Brooklyn’s Kumble Theatre was an invitation to “talk, laugh and be fearlessly tender-headed.” It featured an academic, a filmmaker, and an environmentalist joined by writers, hair care entrepreneurs, musicians and performers who engaged in a grown-up, thoughtful and multi-layered look at issues, implications and assumptions related to our hair. No name calling. No finger pointing. No taking sides about whose hair is better than anyone else’s. A standing-room-only audience walked away with plenty of food for thought.
In her commentary, the blogger asks, “What has hair to do with advancing our people or solving any of the societal ills black people are facing today?” I think whenever our hair prompts dialogue that gives us insights into these conditions, it’s a good thing. Whenever discussions about our hair opens doors for developing strategies to resist self-limiting ideas, it’s a good thing. Whenever reasoning about our hair helps us dismantle the insidious notion that being black is some kind of disability, rather than a gift, it’s a good thing.
So, I say let enlightened discussions continue. We’ll be doing our part on September 29th 2010 when we present the next edition of Heads Up! A Soulful Celebration of Our HAIRitage.
Stay tuned.
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