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Tyra Banks is beautiful. Tyra Banks is ambitious. When Tyra Banks gets on a topic, she gets down into it and involves herself in a way that few other models-turned-talkshow hosts do.
So when I read that Tyra was declaring September 8 National Real Hair Day just in time for the new season of The Tyra Banks Show, I was overcome by a simultaneous wave of delight, concern, and skepticism.
Delight because YAY, Tyra's going to ditch the three yards of weave that's become her trademark and make this the main focus of her show's season premiere!
Concern because well, I've watched Tyra's show before and let's just say she takes on issues in a way which I wouldn't go about it myself. If you've watched, you know what I mean.
Skepticism because National Real Hair Day is every day, and has been every day for many afrobellas around the world, long before Tyra came up with this promotional idea for her program.
"Tyra said, "This season on The Tyra Show we're taking it to the next level and getting more real than ever before by encouraging women everywhere to own and rock what they've got and be proud! For the Season 5 premiere, I will be doing just that - no fake hair, I'm rocking my REAL hair. This will all be going down on September 8, 2009, which we're declaring National Real Hair Day! We welcome everyone to go natural with me!"
I'm gonna watch and liveblog September 8th because that's what I signed on for when I took on the mantle of Afrobella. But Tyra - I'll also be watching September 9th. And 10th. Is this just a look-at-me one day thing? Or will it be for real? We'll have to wait and see.
Will you watch Tyra's celebration of natural hair? What are your thoughts?
Comments: (44)
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By: Qnswmn on 8/19/2009 3:13PM
Thank you very much Tyra Banks!
You have no idea of how sick and tired I am of seeing my Black Sisters from EVERYWHERE, own daughter included, walk around like there is something so God awful wrong about our own hair that we need to ware wigs and weaves - all of the time!
The part – no pun intended that really make me want to throw up is that the hair has to be bone straight, flat and really, really long with color(s)! It totally disgusts me as I watch them prim, preen and head toss just as I’ve seen White women do all of my 50 year life span! You can see it in their faces that they really feel like this is their real hair and they think that it is cute!
They come up with all types of sick, stupid, irrelevant reasons why it is not a form of self-hatred!
However, they are only deluding themselves my eyes tell me that Black women, especially dark skinned sisters like me, look so strange and stupid in those long blond or whatever color locks - not unless you are an aborigine for Australia!
Just a week or so ago a White man on my job talked and laughed about how Black women are trying to emulate their race with hair, fake eye coloring, etc. We were having a discussion about race issues in general and he just happened to mention that in conversation. I do remember how embarrassing it was for me to realize that even White people know stupid we look!
Other than how it looks, I am deeply perturbed about the economics of it all! The fact that we are continuously purchasing hair, real or fake instead of manufacturing our own says a lot about how we do not think of ways of creating and growing our own economies. Oh no, we buy from people that do not employ us or care less about us but we will not even think about making the very thing that we use all of the time!
With all due respect, Tyra, the next segment should be on discussing fake ass long unhygienic multi-colored designed nails that even the poorest of poor will sacrifice for in order to purchase the look! Damn, how about a National Real Everything on your body day!
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By: Felicia on 8/19/2009 4:15PM
You are the one with the self hate & you are projecting that to the rest of us.
It's a woman's prerogative to do/put on whatever makes her feel good and sexy. It seems every woman in all races has that right but a black woman.
Get a grip idiot!
Did you confront this white guy as to why white women, tan, get breast & butt implant, or why they inject collagen on their lips or use botox (which is poison) to be wrinkle free. Is it that they are full of self hate & want to be Black?
I am so sick of every one taking the liberty to tell the black woman what she can & cannot do. It's more disgusting when it comes from another black person who is too stupid to recognize this is another form of oppression!
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By: Robin M. on 8/20/2009 3:08PM
I am so sick and tired of everyone crisisizing black women for purchasing hair. Hello?? White women started weve and or extentions light years before we even caught wind of it!! However, like everything Black people perfected the weaving process and turned it into a movement. I also would like to add that weave is not only used to lenghthen hair but also to keep up maitenence. Between humidity, working out, and the daily activities of life it is hard and might I add exspensive to keep up a perm or a natural press. In my opinion weave is not a way of conforming but a form of expression. When our white counter parts stop tanning, botox, cologen, booty pads and a whole other host of self mutilation than maybe the beutiful black women of the world will start to embrace our natural locks.
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By: moe on 8/20/2009 8:11PM
I totally agree 100% with you. Blacks feel that anything "non-Black" is better. For example, the indian hair, etc. If we as a whole stop buying Hair and Fake unhygienic nails, we will have so much more cash in our pockets; and, those "people" who own the hair and nail storesand do not give a hoot about us -their economy will be crippled. These people study rhe Black Market and derive ways to make money off of us.
upon being realistic, I could understand if on occasion we wear a little hairpicce or a pony tail here and there.
Black women, wake up and get real.
p.s.Don't forget the very very unhygienic waxing stands.
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By: Cass on 8/22/2009 1:15PM
tell it like it is,
You are right you are bias and angry. Misplaced anger is what you exhibit here. Education can help you fix that! You need to learn how & where to chanel your anger.
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By: Caroline on 8/25/2009 11:02AM
Yes!!! Finally someone has spit it out in clear no uncertain terms! Thank YOU Qnswmn! Black women do not realize how silly the world thinks they are when they adorn themselves with white-women's hair. The sadness of it is heartbreaking! The media has a part in it dislaying only white-looking black women, black men have a part in it by making black women feel unwanted unless they look white or at least mixed. But I agree with everything you said anyway. Stop being fake - and the world might stop feeling sorry for you!
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By: DeeDee on 9/05/2009 11:44PM
so u kahootin with a white man laughing and making fun of your own kind..If he is talking this way about your people and mine what else is this fool saying about our people behind YOUR BACK??????? Go and suck his dick and make him very happy..Dumb black azz byotch..
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By: ric on 9/09/2009 6:04PM
I too have been bothered by the lack of pride that is so prevalent in our community regarding our natural hair. Taught by massa that our hair was ugly, our ancestors tried all kinds of ways to "fix" their crowning glory, even after freedom, Jim crow, the Harlem renaissance, through the Civil Rights era. In the 60's and 70's we finally discovered that black was indeed beautiful and the Afro and pride in being black was everywhere. But apparently, that was just a hiccup.
If you want to wear weaves, wigs or whatever that is your choice. But just own up to the fact that you don't like your natural hair. Just like white women own up to not liking being too pale or having thin lips and flat booties. Own your self hate.
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By: Kevin on 8/19/2009 4:31PM
Did you see those grosse lips with collagen on these white women, especially in LA? Even Michael Jackson’s plastic surgeon said “they look like something that belongs, somewhere below the waist!”
All that just to look like a Black Woman?
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By: Kimberly Ann Johnon on 8/19/2009 4:38PM
it is not hair that make a woman or a girl beautiful it is what inside of you that makes you beautiful I have always had long ful head of hair and so do my two daughters, but i also tech them that your hair is not what makes you beautiful
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