blackhairstory

Moved to wordpress

2009-02-17T10:55:00.000-05:00

I have moved to wordpress. The new address is www.blackhairstory.wordpress.com

What I am Loving: Janelle Monae's Style

2009-02-10T19:23:00.004-05:00

Nominated for a Grammy for "Many Moons" in the Best Urban/Alternative performance category, Monae, who insists that she is "not a Red Carpet gal", commands attention with her elegant coiffe and non-traditional outfit.

Halle Baldy

2009-02-08T16:38:00.006-05:00

I almost killed myself trying to find the remote to turn up the volume, when I heard that Halle Berry was going to shave her head bald for her role in the upcoming film Nappily Ever After. Although Halle won't be wearing her hair for this role, she will be wearing two hats; that of an actress in the film and that of co-producer.

“It’s a movie called “Nappily Ever After” and it deals with this issue of women and their hair,” Berry explained in a recent interview. “As women we define ourselves by our hair. I always have my whole life. When my hair's not right, then I’m just not right and many days I won’t leave the house if my hair is not right. I still struggle with this hair issue," she remarked while pointing out that her character "is forced to look at what beauty is, and it comes from inside...I'm going to get the lesson on film, and hopefully other women will get it, too.We get so fixated on our hair and so this movie is about this woman whose hair gets damaged and she decides in a drunken stupor to shave her head completely bald."

Based on the eponymic novel by Trisha Thomas, the movie promises to explore themes central to the lives of many women. Interestingly, Nappily Ever After is only the beginning of Venus Johnston's hairstory. In Would I Lie to You, Trisha Thomas' character moves across the country and leaves all that is familiar behind her. In Nappily Married, Venus is forced to reconsider her decision to cut her permed hair when she decides to take on a new job.

******************************************************************************************

About the novel:
African-American advertising agency executive Venus Johnston has had enough. Enough of the painful, expensive hours spent relaxing her "good" hair and enough of her four-year relationship with medical intern Clint Fairchild, which has lasted too long without a ring. She shaves her hair to a quarter-inch stubble, tells Clint to pack his bags and spends the rest of Thomas's empowering debut novel building a new life to match the new woman she's become. Clint, on the rebound, meets beautiful, longhaired and marriage-ready Kandi Treboe and proposes on an impulse, despite evidence that he's not over Venus. Meanwhile, Venus confronts issues of sexual harassment and racism in her predominantly white Washington, D.C., firm, where she begins to receive threatening notes. The crisis at work fuels Venus's fears that she's not strong enough to survive her new freedom. Has she made a mistake by abandoning the security of her boyfriend and her long, straight hair? Kandi develops into a complex character, with her own set of concerns and a sense of humor about the lovers' triangle. Her perspective provides an interesting counterpoint to Venus's obsession with the consuming culture surrounding black women's hair. Clint's confusion over his choice between the two women is treated honestly, and Venus's discovery that she has moved to new psychological territory carries emotional weight. This exploration of an African-American woman's journey to self-acceptance is not without flaws (spotty writing and loose ends tied up too fast), but Thomas refuses to let her characters slide into stereotype, and she keeps the pace fast and funny. -Publishers Weekly

Talking about hair: Just my thoughts

2009-02-05T18:06:00.004-05:00

So I'm a graduate student at a PWI (Predominantly White Institution) and the second semester has started. In one of the first sessions for a class that I am taking, the professor asked us to introduce ourselves and talk about a cool new piece of media that has captured our attention or that we absolutely love. (It's a class about designing and producing educational media) Although we all sat in a circle, he called on us randomly. The entire time, before he called on me, I argued with myself over whether I should discuss my favorite program (LOST) or this blog. Remember, this is a PWI. Discussing LOST would be much easier and many more people would be able to identify with me. I opted to talk about my blog and was pleasantly surprised by what happened next.

I told my new classmates that I had very recently created a blog devoted to African-American hair care, and the uniquely political aspects of our hair styles and choices. People seemed genuinely interested and some asked me to share the site, but this wasn't the most surprising part. Right after I discussed the blog, my professor told me that he was recently reading a book about Madame Walker. He asked me, 'Do you know Madame Walker?'. I smiled when he said this and nodded yes. He explained that it might seem weird to me that he is reading a book on Madame Walker but that as a native of Indiana, he had become particularly interested in hair and hair products because of the variety that are available there and the fact that Madame Walker is from his hometown. I told him that it wasn't weird and that blackhairstory was all of our history, which brings me back to the debate that I was having in my head before I told my classmates about the site.

I was nervous about sharing the site, nervous about appearing radical or afro-centric, nervous about being placed in a black box by my white classmates and professor, nervous that they might visit the site and be totally confused and nervous and that it would just be dismissed. But I believe what I told my professor. Black hairstories are part of American history. It made me so happy that my professor was reading a book about Madame C.J Walker. It also made me realize how we are often engaged in internal dialogues about ways to minimize or diminish our differences. Maybe if we ignored our internal dialogues and started speaking honestly to each other instead, we might be able realize the similarities in our differences and just be ourselves. White students have approached me and talked about how some of the issues on the site resonate with them because they have curly hair that they are compelled to straighten very frequently. What a first class!

Aunt Jemima's Hair

2009-02-01T16:03:00.006-05:00

1889: Rutt and Underwood create an instant pancake mix. Aunt Jemima's image comes out of the logo used on a vaudeville program featuring Black face minstrel comedians. "Aunt Jemima" is a song that they sing during the show.

1893-1980's: Real women are chosen by various owners of the company to represent Aunt Jemima at restaurant openings, fairs, grocery stores and food shows. Ex-slave Nancy Green's (left) likeness is used for the Aunt Jemima logo. Aunt Jemima's head is adorned with a kerchief.

1968: During the civil rights movement, activists threatened to boycott the current owner of the company (Quaker Oats) if they did not change Aunt Jemima's mammyish image and free her from the past. Her headscarf is replaced with a head band and she loses weight.

July 1989: Aunt Jemima trades in her head band for a perm and pearl earrings. Quaker Oats believes that Aunt Jemima's make over shows "Aunt Jemima in a more contemporary light, while preserving the important attributes of warmth, quality, good tastes, heritage and reliability."

You need to try this: Dredlock Victory Roll

2009-01-31T02:22:00.001-05:00

I love Chescaleigh's Hair how to videos. I will be trying this soon.

What I am loving: Sasha and Malia's natural hair

2009-01-29T22:51:00.005-05:00

a counternarrative for little girls

Mane Magic: Why does it matter if Michelle Obama has Lye Free Natural Hair?

2009-01-28T23:42:00.008-05:00

I am a little confused about and uncomfortable with the attention being devoted to Michelle Obama's hair. While I have never followed the President's family closely enough to be sure, I doubt that other first ladies have been so seriously scrutinized. There are a number of conversations in the blogosphere and on websites making claims about the first lady's hair. Some think that she has lye free natural hair and others are arguing that her hair could not possibly look that way without a relaxer. Scariest of all, a sizable group of advertisements are popping up with the claim that smooth hair can be achieved without a relaxer. Actually that wasn't the scariest thing of all. The really scary thing is that her "chemically relaxed" hair has been discussed in Chicago's local news. The Philadelphia Inquirer insists that all black women have been focused on her hair more than anything else. No, we have not been listening to her wonderful speeches. Black women are only concerned with her "heavenly mane". Apparently, all black women " have been trying to get that hair nirvana - without chemicals." Is this really what is most important to us? I promise, I am not making this up. Does that seem a little bit odd to you? Or is it me?

Black Is In?

2009-01-26T14:00:00.004-05:00

Black is in, according to Larry King, but no one wants to admit President Obama's role in ushering what I hope becomes more than a seasonal fashion trend that will be passe by the end of his term.

So far two companies, Beanie Babies and Mattel Inc. have launched a line of black dolls. However, both companies assert that the timing of the creation of their dolls has nothing to do with the election of the nation's first black president.

What does the sudden spotlight on African-American dolls mean for little girls? African-American girls? Will little black girls now see girls of every hue playing with brown dolls? Will mothers who are not black allow their children to own black dolls? What if their children come to prefer black dolls over white dolls in a classic reversal of Kenneth Clark's doll test. ?

Mattel To Launch New Line Of African-American Barbie Dolls

2009-01-26T13:30:00.004-05:00

January 23, 2009 · CNN MONEY

Mattel Inc. (MAT) will launch its first complete line of African-American Barbie dolls, a company representative said Thursday.

The line, which features three adult dolls, was previewed in a video at the Mattel and Fisher-Price Sneak-Peak Tour in New York one day after America’s first African-American president, Barack Obama, took office.

The “So in Style” dolls, expected to be released in fall 2009, come with little sisters as part of a mentorship theme.

The company has shown the dolls to prominent women in the African-American community to ensure their authenticity and in an effort to possibly recruit a spokesperson for the new line, the Mattel representative said. The company wouldn’t release the names of the women it consulted.

While Obama’s election shows a diminishing racial divide in America, the company representative said, the doll line was conceived prior to Obama’s announcement that he intended to run for office.

The line was inspired by Mattel toy designer Stacey McBride. The price of the new line will be in the same range as other Barbie lines.

The line differs from the company’s prior releases of African-American toys, in part, because of its facial features. As an example, the toys have fuller lips and different cheek bone placement and nose structure.

The company has shown the line to several retailers and said many have responded well, the company said.

In 1968, Mattel introduced an African-American doll named Christie, according to the company’s Web site.

-By Aja Carmichael, Dow Jones Newswires; 201-938-5218; aja.carmichael@ dowjones.com

Angela Jolie is Raising A Beautiful Daughter

2009-01-25T23:12:00.008-05:00

When it comes to Zahara Jolie-Pitt, many self-appointed cultural critics feel that they have a lot to say about the beautiful four year old daughter of actress Angelina Jolie. Among many blacks there is much conversation about Zahara's hair and the fact that her mother is not, "doing anything about it." However a recent comment in the Herald Sun suggests that Jolie is doing a lot more to affirm Zahara's sense of self than many black mothers are doing for their own.

What do you think?

" ...When it comes to the subject of adoption, like when my daughter, who's African, wants her hair to look straight like mummy's . . . and I look for a Barbie that's African, and the African Barbie has straight hair! And you know, why has Disney never made a film with an African-American princess?"
-Angelina Jolie

Herald Sun; November 14, 2008

Lola, you have great hair!

2009-01-25T23:06:00.004-05:00

[Chris Rock, Lola(C) and Zahra(R)]

Lola is the muse behind Rock's film Good Hair

Following black dollars

2009-01-24T10:00:00.003-05:00

• Even though African-American women make up less than 10% of the population they buy 70% of all wigs and extensions purchased in the United States.

• Where does the money end up? Following the money, we see that black dollars are pumped into Korean owned businesses. Koreans dominate the Black hair industry. In fact, a top beauty magazine about African -American hair is only published in Korean (Beauty Times) for black beauty store owners.

• In South Central, Los Angeles, the owner of Beautiful Wigs says 99.9% of his clientele are African-American.

• Koreans have been creating their own products, which are sold in black beauty supply stores. By creating their own line, they buy out existing black-owned companies and control retail and wholesale distribution.

• Many Korean owned stores refuse to purchase black produced hair products. They are telling black companies that their products are no longer in demand.

• The archives of a (The Chosun) respected newspaper in Korea reveal a relationship between early Korean business owners and the United States that has existed since the 60s. The government was urged to ban the export of raw hair so that no one, except for Koreans, could export Korean hair. Months after the Korean ban, the US banned the import of wigs made from Chinese hair! This ban on Chinese wigs allowed Korean wig merchants to have a monopoly on the wig and weave business.

• A quote from The Chosun: “In the past, wigs were considered luxury goods in the West, but these days they are considered a necessity, especially among black women in the United States.”

For more information, check out Aron Rainen's documentaries on black hair. They can be found in the side bar under the documenthairies section.

Chris Rock has good hair

2009-01-23T13:32:00.004-05:00

As a young comedian on tour in Atlanta in the 1990’s, Chris Rock had the wonderful fortune of touring the burgeoning black mecca at the same time as the Bronner brother’s hair show. While witnessing the myriad tributes to the unique characteristics of black hair as well as the business that has always been black hair, Rock thought that the hair show would be a great centerpiece for a documentary on blacks in America and their unique relationship to their hair. Unfortunately, Rock was ahead of his time: “ I thought, wow, this would make a great movie, but that was like 15 years ago.” Currently faced with the task of raising his young daughters in America, Rock realizes that this is the perfect time for his documentary “Good Hair”. At this year’s Sundance film festival in Park City, Utah, Rock’s film made its debut among 15 other films in the popular documentary competition.
Rock takes viewers on a journey from the neighborhood salon to the streets of India where human hair is manufactured for direct export to the scalps of black consumers. While the film does seem to cater to a specific segment of the population, “Good Hair” has enjoyed praise from everyone at the festival this year. Couched in Rock’s trademark humor, the film raises many important questions about the legacy of ‘mainstream’ (read white) and accepted beauty ideals and their impact on black women as many of them pursue a life-long and painful quest to emulate a hair type that is not their own. Rock’s film features many interviews from male and female African-American stars who candidly discuss their relationship with their hair and the loaded phrase ‘good hair’. As the executive producer of the film, Nelson George, points out, “It's this whole thing about approval. That approval is not simply, `I want white people to love me.' It's like, `I need a job. I want to move forward, and if I have a hairstyle that is somewhat intimidating, that's going to stop me from moving forward". Having just returned from D.C. I share the sentiment of Nia Long, who hopes that the images of the first family will help blacks to be more accepting of themselves and their beauty. "Just seeing that family photo and seeing the daughters with their hair in cornrows sometimes, it resonates for me in such a huge way," Long said. "I just feel finally we have an image that's the most powerful image in our country that actually is a part of who I am."
"Good Hair" will air on HBO, but Rock and his collaborators are considering a theatrical release first.

Dressing Your Hair

2009-01-14T21:16:00.014-05:00

As the winter blankets everything in cold and darkness I am adorning myself with feathers. Feathered earrings are my current favorite and I am now jumping on the feathered head band wagon (a little late I admit).

I am sure that you have seen these headbands. They made their debut over the summer. It often takes me a little longer to imagine certain trends on myself. I think that these picks would accent a simple up-do, bun, or pulled back hair style. While they can be used to add color to your outfit on a night out, feathered head bands are are great way to add flair to a causal outfit.

These headbands range in price and can be anywhere from $16(www.urbanoutfitters.com
) to $50(www.pluma.com).

Make Your Scalp Happy

2009-01-11T18:35:00.011-05:00

I am often shopping at drug stores or in my friend's closets for something that will quench my scalp's thirst. Usually, when I apply an oil/moisturizer to my scalp before going to bed, all traces of the product have disappeared by morning. Recently, I saw Dr. Miracle products in my sister's bedroom and thought I should give it a try. WE HAVE THIS WEEK'S WINNER! As I am writing to you my scalp is tingling! I have been using Dr.Miracle's Gro Oil for two weeks now and recommend that you try it. When I use this oil my scalp is moisturized for at least 3 or 4 days and my locks have a wonderful, healthy sheen. The tingling sensation is caused by Dr. Miracle's "Feel It" formula which promotes "strong growing hair and healthy scalp". The oil can be used daily before styling or as a hot oil treatment when you are washing your hair. Before going to bed, I strongly recommend tying your hair with a scarf so that you do not also moisturize and strengthen your pillowcase or ruin your sheets. The oil will stain your pillowcases if you do not wrap your hair. The best thing about this product is that it is recommended for relaxed, braided, weaved and natural hair!

$: 7.99

Medusa-Parallels :)

2009-01-10T17:45:00.006-05:00

(Click comic to read)
Was Medusa Black? Why were people turning to stone when they looked at her hair? Why was venomous gas used to make her hair manageable? Did she lose her strength when she cut her hair?

One sista's comic interpretation of going nappy

2009-01-10T12:42:00.004-05:00

(Click comic strip to read!)

Please check out Val &Nadine: One sista's comic interpretation of going nappy. The author, L.V. Burns uses the comic strip to chronicle her experience as she decides to abandon the perm. She has received many glowing reviews from Motown girl, Naturally You Magazine and Lulu Marketplace. Regardless of your position and preference you will find this comic strip enlightening, entertaining and funny.

Natural and beauty are not mutually exclusive terms

2009-01-10T02:11:00.008-05:00

(Click picture to enlarge)

Many assume that wearing a natural hairstyle begs conversion to an ascetic daily regimen or lifestyle. While my crown is adorned with locks, I enjoy looking and dressing very well. I especially love to style my hair! A natural coiffure is not incompatible with the latest trends. Discover the website of the Haitian Bruno sisters in Brooklyn. See yourself differently. Their refreshing website redefines beauty.

Their philosophy: "missbruno sprung from the marrow of our lineage, making twists and turns jusqu' it morphed into the trans-worlds collection you see today. specifically, we are two sisters: brooklynites by way of Ayiti; designers, by way of musik and film; independent, by way of clothing made directly from our collective hands. our designs thrive on our philosophies on life: wholistic, lush, simple. we make things meant for sustainable living and other unassuming revolutions."

www.missbruno.com/philosophy.html

Imagine seeing these beauties on glamour, vogue, seventeen, allure, people, etc. imagine that!

2009-01-08T17:26:00.003-05:00

When will the waves in our hair no longer create political currents?
Listen to Staceyann Chin

2009-01-08T16:39:00.002-05:00

Black Hair Care Basics

Many of my girl friends who are thinking about transitioning to their natural hair have said that it would take too much to manage their natural hair. I understand where this statement comes from. Many of us have simply never learned how to care for our natural hair as it has been labeled by many as tough or unmanageable and tamed and hidden with a variety of hair care products. To get us started on loving and caring for our hair I would like to share some advice from www.treasuredlocks.com

All phrases that I have added have been italicized. Certain phrases have been highlighted in bold for emphasis.

Hair care basics

useful for all natural hair styles: braids, locks, twists, etc.

You should picture your hair as a collection of fine fibers. You should treat it as gently as you would a fine washable silk blouse. The better you treat your hair, the easier it will be to grow and the better it will look. African hair will tend to be dryer and more prone to breakage because the structure makes it more difficult for the oils to work their way from the scalp to the ends of the hair. If you relax your hair, you've weakened the hair and reduced the ability for the scalp to naturally oil it. The points where the hair curls and twists are also points where the hair tends to break. The more of these points (as in African hair), the more the hair is prone to breakage. Also, because our hair is kinky, it tends to tangle more and pulling these tangles out can cause breakage.

Either section the hair and plait it, tie it back or wrap it up using a scarf before going to bed, this will reduce the number of tangles you have to comb out the next morning, reducing the chances of breaking your hair.
Sleep with a satin scarf or sleep cap on your head or with a satin pillow case. This helps avoid split ends caused by the rubbing of your hair against a "rough" cotton pillow case. It also avoids moisture being wicked out of your hair into your cotton pillow case.
Wash your hair no more often than every week to week and a half. More than that can dry it out.
Comb your hair out while you're conditioning it to remove the tangles while it's wet and relatively slick.
Oil your scalp on a regular basis with a good natural oil like shea butter. A daily moisturizer is not a bad idea. I will suggest some great daily moisturizers in an upcoming post.
Do a deep conditioner or hot oil treatment once a month.
Massage your scalp on a regular basis to promote circulation and oil production.
Avoid overuse of products with mineral oil or petroleum. They tend to block the pores and are not readily absorbed. If your mother used Vaseline^® on your hair, stop.
If you exercise and sweat, rinse the salt out of your hair even if you don't wash it. Condition it afterward with a daily leave-in conditioner.
Always use a leave-in conditioner after washing your hair.
Put as little heat as possible on your hair. Heat, especially combined with perms is very damaging to hair.
Avoid alcohol based products unless you have a need for a water-free shampoo to cleanse your scalp (for example while you're waiting for your locks to lock).
Remember that water (moisture) is your friend and get plenty- inside and out. If you used to press your hair or blow it out and learned to fear water on your hair because it would draw up, you need to get over this. Spritzing a little water on your hair every day is a good idea. Get a spray bottle and just spray it just a little.
Eat a proper diet. Vitamins and protein are essential for proper hair growth.
Find a style that works with your natural hair type and growth pattern. The less you work against your hair, the less stressed it will be.

2009-01-08T00:51:00.002-05:00

Sticks and stones may break your bones but words can crush your soul.

My Nappy ROOTS: "NAPPY HEADED"

New Year, New Growth

2009-01-02T09:41:00.000-05:00

This afternoon, a friend asked me when I was going to twist my hair. I have locks and usually twist my hair every two weeks. I wear my hair many different ways and love the way my hair looks both when it is freshly twisted and when the twists give way to the strong, new roots that seem to shock everyone else. If I should visit my family three weeks after my initial twisting, they immediately ask me when I am going to do my hair. My friend, like my family, loves my hair when it is 'neat' but seems to be made uncomfortable by my untamed roots. How is it that I can look in the mirror and see beauty but they look at me and squirm? How can we be so afraid of our roots? When will they embrace my roots, which are also theirs? Why does everyone feel as if they need to help me manage, control and hide my hair? For this New Year, I hope that we will resolve to love, embrace and defend our roots.