ann hodgman

This is an opportunity for women of all ethnicity’s to dialog. Again, I must respectfully disagree with you. There is no argument! … I’m afraid what is happening here is a cultural disconnect. Because you do not have a knowledge and profound understanding of African American cultural nuances, your perception of what is taking place is incorrect. Cultural traditions vary and included in these are speaking and emoting styles. Some persons are very passionate while others are not. This does not mean that an argument is taking place.

This is an opportunity for one of the most powerful and insightful learning experiences you will ever have. Several of the women have spoken honestly minus all the so-called political correctness. They have opened doors and revealed truths long kept hidden or not discussed in public.

Do not be afraid of your lack of the command of the subject matter. Everyone is in this together to learn and develop understandings. To threaten the pulling of posts is to stop what has been an important dialog.

Your words: None of us is betraying her culture by doing anything to her hair!

This is a poor choice of words. It implys that if one wears a specific hairstyle attributed to another ethnicity that person is a traitor to their ethnicity.

1. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

2. Every culture is beautiful.

3. Women can wear their hair however they like. Freedom of choice.

4. African American hair is versatile and can be worn in every style imaginable.

5. African American women who wear their hair straighten are not glorifying another ethnicity nor demonstrating self-hatred. They’re merely wearing their hairstyle of choice. Their choice can be straight on Monday and braids on Tuesday. This is the beauty and versatility of Black hair.

6. Caucasian women are not demonstrating self-hatred by showing an interest and /or admiring the beauty and versatility of Black Hair or any ethnicitys hair.

7. Caucasian women are not demonstrating self-hatred by desiring to wear hairstyles attributed to African American women.

In African American culture hair is just not hair! When hair is discussed , it is discussed in its  Social, Political, Emotional , Psychological and Spiritual context.

Beth Hereth

This is a woman who is not comfortable with her natural God given hair. A woman who chose to hide it under scarves. She had many choices. She could have braided her hair,worn extensions or worn a natural , She has poor self-esteem and a poor cultural self image. I believe also that Jamaicas colonization has left its imprint on her psyche.

No, You wait a minute ann hodgman

I wrote a post to Beth Hereth clarifying my reply to her post. I also apologized for any and all generalizations and assumptions that do not apply. My purpose at all times is to engage in constructive dialog.

Again, there is a cultural disconnect. Based on Colonizations and Enslavement’s IndoctrinationsI look further than what is presented on a superficial level. I explore the subject in a variety of contexts and levels. You continue to miss all the cultural and interesting nuances. There are no arguments and veering off topic! There are only passionate discussions. Everything that has and is being discussed is connected.

I press my enter key to create separate paragraphs.

I speak in my own voice and share my own opinions and perceptions. My voice is not an angry voice. I speak from a passionate voice of a woman who has lived a long life, has lots of experience and experiences behind her.

I’m not lecturing. I’m not participating in this discussion in a professional capacity. I’m participating as a private citizen minus my credentials. This is part of who I am. I like to think I’m educated, articulate, intelligent, generous, kind and loving among other adjectives.

There is a Sexual Politics of Hair. This is indeed part of the discussion we’ve been having. The sexual politics of hair is how we see ourselves and how we are perceived by others. It’s part of the male/female, male/male or female/female dynamic whatever ones preference. If you should decide to explore the sexuality of hair and how sexuality relates to power  I’d like to suggest the following book.

"The Power of Beauty", by Nancy Friday

Starry Nite. Ms. Jolie and Mr. Pitt adopted an Ethiopian girl whom they named Zahara and they are using in part "Carol’s Daughters’ hair products which had been recommended to them.  Ethiopians owned the hair salon I go to in a major American City and according to them the large majority of Ethiopians don’t have kinky hair but fine straight curly hair.  And that wasn’t a defensive statement, just a calm discussion about the Pitts and there Ethiopian daughter. The owner, his wife and the majority of their help staff in the shop (not the hairstylists) are Ethiopian and they all have the hair he describes.  In many ways the fierce tension that has overtaken this discussion makes me wonder if we protest just a bit too much.