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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: Diedra Smalls on 8/26/2009 8:03PM
It has been over a year now since I went real hair. There was and article in my local newspaper about Black women and there use of perm relaxers. The damage that they do to our hair is mad bad. Anyway I am now afrobella and proud of my hair. It now much easier to care for because all I do now is shampoo and moisturize and I can style it any way I want each and every day without the harsh chemicals. So ladies stop the madness get back to your roots and love your hair. I do.
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By: tina on 9/05/2009 6:30PM
I went natual about 2.5 years ago. It's the most liberating experience, trust me. I had always worn extention or weaves since I was 10 yrs old, now I am 23. I have short, nappy, thin, dry hair. I have always been ashamed of my hair (it does go deeper than appearance, its psychological too) neither my white college boyfriend or my roomates had even seen my real hair before. I use to be soo embarrased when someone (innocently) comment on my hair. I hated lying. What's worst is when another black person (i went to almost all white college in new england) comment on your hair in public, just to put you down. The weave was holdin me back in so many ways (mentally) and some girls used it to get ahead of me. I lost confidence all together. My boyfriend had always told me to wear my hair natural..but never listened. One evening, I had enough. I went to the JcPenney Salon, had my hair done by a black stylist..I looked like Halle Berry, girlfriend. When I went to class the next day, everyone noticed me. They all loved my natural look. I loved my natural look. I could not believe why I waited soo long to go natural. My advice is find hair products that work for you..I use olive oil (yes, the cooking oil), curling/hot iron once a week at the front (low heat), and perm my hair a few times a year. Dont waste your money on weaves ladies, or miracle hair moisturazers- I tried every brand, doogro, silk element, sulfur, you name it. Thats it. The days of weaving glue, hair pieces (try to hide hair pieces from your roomate hahaha), carring blunt needles, (try having girls at school gossip about your hair) or sitting in class worrying about your tracks showing, or blaming God for bad genes ARE OVER. I am really happy now. I have so much confidence. You can do it too.
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By: ladysakuya on 9/08/2009 10:32PM
I have a good grade of short hair like rihanna's but sometimes i wear a wig when i'm having a bad hair day, when i'm in a rush(which is all the time) and don't have time to do anything for my hair, or when I just want a new look because i never want to look the same EVER!!!!! but i like my hair, i don't have any self hatred or anything, i'm just fickle when it comes to hair and i don't want to damage my hair with tracks, weaves, etc. but i wear my real hair all the time especially in the summer.
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By: sandra on 9/13/2009 2:22PM
I was concerned about the "frankly do we care?" comment made by one of your blogger colleagues on this Tyra story. Just wanted to let you know Afrobella there are some of us that do care when a person uses the term "real" and that is meant to distinguish from "natural". I think Tyra should have been clearer and or showed people with "real natural hair" on her show.
I also thought it was in poor taste for your fellow co-blogger on BV to state "frankly do we care" in mentioning your blog post. I wrote on her blog about this and I think an apology or explanation is in order.
Yes Frankly there are some of us that care.
Thanks Afrobella for sharing this story with those of us that care.
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