Miss Dominica-Natural Hair Beauty Queen (Miss World 2013)

[malaise]

http://valleyfontaine.wordpress.com/2013/09/10/natural-hair-beauty-queen-miss-world-2013/
<snip>
As this is published 19 year old Leslassa is competing for the Miss World title in Indonesia. She is the first Dominican contestant in 35 years.

What is so amazing about Miss Dominica not the Republic of Dominica by the way, but the Commonwealth of Dominica, coined the Nature Isle of the Caribbean, is that she is not wearing a wig, a weave, or relaxed hair, but she is representing her Island to the world wearing her own natural hair!

I counted 28 other contestants that look to be of African heritage and Leslassa was the only one wearing her hair natural!

The truth is not only is she representing her Island, but she is also representing NATURAL HAIR, the world over!

I caught up with Leslassa when she stopped off at the Dominican Embassy in London, on route to the contest.

Sadly it’s so rare to see a beauty queen wearing natural hair, that I couldn’t help but ask her about her choice of hair texture:
--------------------------
She's a beauty but they won't place her in the top 15.

Please note I don't follow these beauty contests but the natural hair interests me big time.

[winterpark]

1. She's gorgeous. Natural hair or no. But it's refreshing to see nevertheless. n/t

[malaise]

2. Yes you have to notice natural hair these days

Amazing isn't it. Way too many women of African origin have bought the kool-aid.

[bluestate10]

171. Yep. She is drop dead gorgeous, PERIOD. nt

[Sheldon Cooper]

3. Her hair is spectacular.

Why would it be a problem in a beauty contest?

[malaise]

8. Let me ask you a simple question

name one anchor on TV with natural hair?
Then we can address the problem.
A boss once asked me why my hair was natural - my response - "for the same reason you are bald - it's natural". He never approached me on the subject again.

[Sheldon Cooper]

13. To be honest, I really wouldn't know what is natural and what isn't.

Although if I saw a black woman with perfectly straight hair I would assume she'd used a relaxer, or a flat iron or something. Beyond that, I don't know much about weaves and other things that black women do with their hair. I guess my question was: her hair looks perfectly great to me, and I don't know who would have a problem with it, or why it would be noteworthy. I'm not up on cultural references, and I'm really just asking out of curiosity.

[malaise]

76. Lots of people have problems with natural African hair

including lots of folks of African origin.

[Sheldon Cooper]

89. Okay, thanks for the info.

There's much I don't know about this subject, but I really like her hair, and it's sad that anyone would find it unacceptable.

[MADem]

104. The whole .......... GOOD HAIR ....... thing!!!

AFAIC, "good hair" is hair that looks good, and it has nothing to do with texture or density or how straight or curly it is....but unfortunately way too many people have an attitude about it.

Bad hair, to my mind, is hair that is Gone Baby Gone and you don't want it to be....

[a kennedy]

142. "good hair" from Chris Rock:

Chris Rock's Good Hair

Chris Rock is an Emmy-winning comedian, devoted husband and loving father—but it's time to get to know a new side of this funnyman. Meet Chris Rock, hair expert.

It's a detour he took after an innocent carpool ride left Chris with an idea he just couldn't shake. "I was with my daughter one day, and we're in the car and she's with one of her friends in the back seat, a little white friend," he says. "She was just kind of raving about her friend's hair a little too much for my comfort [saying]: 'You've got great hair. Oh, your hair's so good.'"

Not wanting to make her comments a big deal, Chris says he tried to play his them off. "[I said]: "Oh, baby, your hair's beautiful. Come on,'" he says. "If I would have really reacted, then she would have a complex about her hair."

Still, Chris couldn't let it go. "It sparked something in me," he says.


http://www.oprah.com/entertainment/Chris-Rocks-Good-Hair-Documentary

[roody]

130. Mrs. Obama could explain it.

[AnneD]

24. Ron Glass...

Firefly. His hair was long enough to pull back, but they did have a funny episode where he scared one of the characters with his fearsome head of hair.

[NuclearDem]

42. Ha! I remember that. River and Zoe's reactions were priceless.

[Catherine Vincent]

26. Perfect answer

[malaise]

77. You should have seen the look on his face

[CatWoman]

49. *SNORT*

[malaise]

78. Ha

[MADem]

105. Melissa Harris Perry had some nice braids the last time I saw her...

...but I'm talking a break from opinion shows so it has been awhile!

[malaise]

108. I hate her braids - they are visibly fake

She would look so much nicer with natural hair.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

111. Exactly. I have an issue with braids as well. First, they strain the neck because too many women add

Last edited Sun Sep 22, 2013, 10:10 AM - Edit history (1)

too much hair. Second, braids pull on the hair line. I've had friends who have worn braids for many years because they're too ashamed to wear their own hair. (This is true; they've told me that their hair is "too nappy" and "unmanageable" to wear out .) And finally, I understand why MHP is wearing her hair in braids. She cut all of he relaxer out and is growing her hair long. However, I would argue that the more she wears the braids, the more tension those braids will add to her neck and head, the more they will pull on her hairline, and eventually lead the loss of her edges and probably conditions like alopecia (I hope not). I just think that if one is going to be natural, one should be natural. Embrace it. Let that nappy hair show and let it grow towards the sun and be seen!!

[malaise]

117. Susan Taylor from Essence wore braids for decades

The result

Check out all the pictures.

https://www.google.com.jm/search?q=essence+magazine+susan+taylor&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=Kag9UpK4Oo_Y8gT63oCwCQ&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=842&bih=383&dpr=1.62

I used to laugh at some of the write ups in Essence - whenever they were discussing the beauty of the natural African-American woman, they would talk about her complexion, her lips, her this and her that, but the woman's head was always wrapped with something since they weren't planning to annoy their advertisers - the 'chemicals for hair' folks. Self hatred is a very bad thing. That's where it starts.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

127. That's it! I couldn't think of her name, but yes. Susan Taylor is a great example. Another example

is the model Naomi Campbell. She wore wigs and weaves for decades and has totally lost her edges and hairline. Does that stop her from doing it? No. Now she can't because she has absolutely no hair along the hairline and is now forced to wear lace wigs and weaves. Very sad...

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Black women will risk their health and entire well being striving to achieve a standard of beauty that is unattainable...and unsustainable. It's changing, but it'll take some time.

[malaise]

129. Now that is self hatred

Damn!

[JI7]

156. i remember seeing this and never realized this is what could happen

i thought the issue only involved "looks" and what one considers to be attractive. but never knew the physical/health problems it would cause.

i always compared it to any women getting hair straightened or curled. but i know for some hair it involves much stronger treatment which would be harmful to the scalp.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

167. Yes. Chris Rock's movie "Good Hair" explains it well. The harsh chemicals in relaxers are actually

dangerous, not only to the scalp, but some believe may lead to more serious health conditions, including cancer.

[MADem]

162. Steve Harvey called braids an "instant face lift" the other day....

Pulls all that wrinkled skin on your face BACK!

It made me laugh...!

[malaise]

164. He's right but not all persons had those very tight braids

They damage hair big time

[MADem]

175. I know, he was making a joke....

I thought it was funny!

[MADem]

131. Well, I dunno--I think they look good.

If she doesn't have a lot of bulk to her hair she's going to want some enhancement, sure, but I think she looks fine.

[HappyMe]

4. Damn, she's beautiful!

I have always loved natural hair like that.

[madokie]

5. Beautiful

[leftyohiolib]

6. wow

[cali]

7. She's beautiful and her hair looks beautiful

and Dominica is gorgeous too.

[malaise]

10. Lovely island

but I hate landings at the airport - scary.

[cali]

14. I love Domenica. Love the interior and the biodeversity and the black sand

the rip tides are what scare me.

[RevStPatrick]

16. Hey, I've been to Dominica too!

Some of the nicest people in the world.
I still use Bay Rum every day, I got turned onto it there.
Didn't really care for the frog's legs, (mountain chicken) however...

[FSogol]

17. Same here. Hiked up the unforgettable Valley of Desolation.

Nicest (mostly) unspoiled place in the Caribbean.

[malaise]

74. I never swam in the sea in Dominica

We swam in the falls and rivers - too many nicer beaches in the Caribbean with better swimming water.

[treestar]

9. with a face like that . . .

I don't think the hair has much effect! She could dye it pink! What a gorgeous girl! Hope she wins.

[malaise]

11. I'll have a heart attack if she wins

[Eleanors38]

133. A real stunner, hair and all. I'd say I wish I was 40 yrs younger...

...but it still wouldn't do this Cracker any good!

[Sissyk]

12. She's beautiful!

I love her hair, too.

[samsingh]

15. she's beautiful

[Skidmore]

18. What a beauty.

Just gorgeous. Love the hair.

[alfredo]

19. Why hide who you are? Her hair is beautiful.

[malaise]

46. Ask Imus and his gang

[alfredo]

100. Imus is a dinosaur.

[joanbarnes]

20. She deserves to win, she has my vote, but I don't follow these either!

[Dems to Win]

21. I wish Michelle Obama would let her hair go natural. For health reasons.

Not to criticize MO's appearance -- she's lovely, doesn't need advice from me! -- but I do wish she would let her hair go natural, to start a trend.

My Mom has a lot of health problems, particularly bladder problems, and I suspect it is from the hair dyes she used for 25+ years. All these harsh chemicals women put on their hair can cause real health problems -- they get absorbed into their bodies through their scalps.

MO could make it fashionable to reject putting unhealthy chemicals on one's head in pursuit of 'perfect' hair (whether perfect means straight hair or brown (not white) hair).

Of course, it's easy for me to tell MO what she should do with her hair, she's the one who would have to live with any negative reactions. I really don't mean to be critical of her with this note. It's just an idea that's occurred to me, that it is one way she could encourage Americans (especially women) to be healthier.

[BronxBoy]

25. LOL...

I know what you mean but that would cause a national shitstorm of epic proportions.

[Mira]

30. She would get criticized for

washing her hair with water. She can't win against these low life ignoramuses. I think your idea is a good one, though.

[ecstatic]

32. Remember when former congresswoman Cynthia McKinney tried it?

My former rep.

She was assaulted by the security guards, slurred by right wing media, and run out of town shortly after.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

36. She was my former Rep, too! In fact, I was just talking about her and natural hair

just yesterday because a friend of mine commented on my hair and how I changed it up. I had to explain to her that since I'm natural, I can do more with it and wear more styles. The thing that pissed me off about Cynthia is that she was a member of Congress for 14 years at that time. I taught students, many of them white, who interned on the Hill; well, some of them would forget their ID's and were still allowed to enter the Capitol. (All Security has to do is look them up in the system; their picture comes up, they're given a temporary ID and allowed to enter.) Cynthia came to the Capitol every single day for 14 years. The guards knew who she was. She changes her hair ONE day and they decide not to allow her to enter. I'd be pissed off, too. Black women are often invisible and defined by their hair. Cynthia was probably sick and tired of being treated like that. I totally get how she feels because many of us have gone through the same thing, especially if we wear our hair natural.

[Dems to Win]

41. Yes, that still makes me angry.

It does point out what a truly huge, radical, important step it would be to have a First Lady with natural black hair.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

112. I think Michelle will allow her hair to "go curly" after she's out of the White House. Her daughters

are natural. And I've heard from someone that Michelle herself is natural but gets her hair flat ironed, which is hell on the hair. I predict that she'll let it be natural once she's gone. I could be wrong, but I hope I'm not.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

33. I agree. But you and I both know why the First Lady can't go natural.

Sadly, the black community itself would be up in arms over it. We still have a long way to go before we embrace our natural hair texture. We've been brainwashed to believe that we are unattractive in our natural state. The irony is: the larger society doesn't understand this. They don't understand how racism has affected people of color on a large scale...not just black Americans. People of color in general, all over the world. European standards of beauty are still the norm and anything that deviates from that--including kinky, curly hair--is still unacceptable. But sadly, black Americans have internalized that self hatred and so we reject natural hair ourselves. Luckily it's changing. Slowly but surely, we see changes. I've been natural now for over 5 years and love it. But it wasn't easy. My own family had issues with it. I had some problems getting black men to date me because of it. But again, that's changing. Now we're seeing a rejection of wigs and weaves. Slowly but surely. More natural hair on black women. I think it's great.

This woman is absolutely gorgeous!! I hope she wins!!!!

[Dems to Win]

39. I agree with everything you've said. AND...

I ADORE Michelle Obama, and I know I'm not alone. She could leverage that admiration and adoration so many of us have for her to speed up the changes you say are happening. If she had natural hair, it would make it acceptable to so many people, both black and white. MO can set the trends, change attitudes.

Of course, I know I'm asking a lot of her. She has lots of issues on her plate.

And yes, the beauty queen is gorgeous. Stunning.

[BronxBoy]

53. Very Good Post!

I don't think people outside our community really understand all of the issues surrounding sisters and their hair

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

113. I wish more of them did. It was the Europeans who drummed these images into our head since birth

They should understand how racism has had a negative, psychological impact on people of color all over the world--from light vs. dark-skinned wars, facial features, to textured hair. We didn't propagate these standards of beauty. They did. I always find it baffling that they have no clue how European standards of beauty have impacted people of color all over the world on a grant scale.

[JustAnotherGen]

124. +1

[treestar]

121. The men seemed to have escaped entirely

by adopting the shaved head, which is so common - the "Obama"

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

132. Yep. A sad story...

My friend came for a visit and brought her 15 year old son with her. She was so happy because she had finally decided to go natural and wanted me to see her hair and maybe get some tips about styles and products. Well, we're sitting discussing options that she could consider, including cutting the rest of the relaxer out of her hair, and going short short short.

Well, her son goes something like: my mother used to be pretty and now she's ugly!! I was stunned! He was serious, though he said it with a smile. She looked at him, then looked at me, my mouth still opened. She said that he hated her hair now. He told her that she should get a relaxer and it should be pretty, long and straight...LIKE BEYONCE'S!!! I screamed!!! WHAT!?!?!?! Do men not know or understand that Beyonce is the queen of weaves, braids and wigs? People really think that's her hair??!?!? WHAT?!?!?!?

So I turn to the kid and ask him: well, you think your mother's hair is ugly. What do you think of YOUR own hair?

He goes: Well, men can get away with it. We can keep our hair short. We don't have to straighten our hair. Women should straighten their hair so that it looks long and silky, not nappy and ugly.

Honestly, I was so stunned. So hurt. I asked him: So what do you think of MY hair? He says, your hair is o.k., but you would be even prettier if you relaxed your hair.

I proceeded to take him through a litany of YouTube videos of gorgeous black women with long, very long, natural hair. I showed him women with short styles as well. YouTube has been a savior for women of color who want to go natural because there is so much information. There are conferences, meetings (in fact, there's one in D.C. this afternoon that I'm attending in Georgetown). There's simply way too much information to remain ignorant on this issue.

So after taking this young many through all these images of beautiful nappy heads of hair, I asked him if he felt the same way. He said yes. He can't help it. That's what he sees in magazines. On TV. That is beautiful. Hair blowing in the wind. Long, flowing hair. Not hair that stands up straight and can be tough to comb.

For black women, Beyonce and Rihanna are the only two black women that black women can strive to be. They represent our standard of beauty---the closest to white that we'll ever be. And look at Beyonce. She herself struggles with her own self beauty. She cut her hair only to cover it up again with wigs and weaves after receiving negative feedback from a few people in the black community. SAD!! If Beyonce herself struggles with trying to live up to some unattainable standard of beauty, then imagine how your average medium or dark-skinned black women with natural hair goes through. Feeling a lot like Cynthia McKinney, I'm sure.

Someone suggested that Michelle Obama show off her natural hair. I want her to do that, too: a dark-skinned sister wearing her hair in its natural state; the most popular figure in American culture right now. What a powerful statement that would be. Imagine how Rush Limbaugh would ridicule her. Imagine the racists, their hatred unyielding. Imagine the black people who may be uncomfortable with First Lady revealing our "truth," that our hair isn't naturally straight and flowing. Some of us would scream the loudest. What would Don Lemon say. What would Sheryl Underwood or Wendy Williams say? Larry Elder? All those black conservatives who coon for white conservatives on Faux News and hate being who they are? How would they take the First Lady in her natural glory?

At any rate, black men are getting better. I used to have issues getting dates because of my hair. I know that I'm beautiful, so I keep pushing, but when I wore my hair very long and straight, men would flock to me. Black men don't worry because they are not hammered with similar standards. In fact, now dark-skinned black men are pursued and favored. They are desired. And so on. It used to be that light-skinned black men were sought after, but not anymore.

Anyway, this topic is quite fascinating to me. I could go on and on, but I won't.

I just hope things continue to change in the right direction.

[treestar]

137. IMO Miss Dominica's hair looks nice.

I remember reading how men like longer hair on women and thinking hell with them, my hair does not look good long, as it's fine. Beauty standards can get silly as each person has their own unique qualities. Which would include skin color and hair texture and the rest of it! We need to get away from standards that exclude and letting men have too much sway! Plus standards that do not apply - why should black hair look like white hair anyway?

Those men who wouldn't go out with you are nuts! Many standards seem to be about women having to do more work (apply chemicals or whatever wasting their time) so men can do the real stuff. Or something like that.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

141. Yes, I agree. It's changing, too. On YouTube, there's misogyny from some popular black male

YouTubers (see Tommy Sotomayor, for instance). Straight up hatred of black women, especially dark-skinned black women. (Yes, he admits he hates dark-skinned black women the most!!) However, there are positive, socially conscious brothers on YouTube who are honestly fed up with weaves and wigs. I think they have come to understand how superficial they make black women look; the amount of money, effort and time that go into a weave installation or braids. The fact that *SOME* black women with weaves or perms don't work out much, run from the rain, don't go swimming, won't take showers with their significant others--all because they'll mess up their hair...I think there are many black men who have had it with that. There's a movement, even among many black men, to ditch the weaves and go natural. They are getting black women to think about giving up on relaxers and going natural. However, it's going to take some work and patience from black men as well. If they want us to "go natural," they need to be prepared to support us all the way by not freaking out when we have to cut all our hair off (cutting the relaxer out). The hair will go back in its natural state but it takes time. They need to be prepared for how we're treated by our friends and family, by their friends and family, even. Just because they may have come to accept black hair doesn't mean that other people in the community have evolved to that level. This is a huge decision and huge change. It is changing but will take some time.

[malaise]

153. A lot of our men and young boys do not associate beauty with

their own mothers unless they process their hair, but you know socialization at home and elsewhere contributes to this view. We have books, songs and plays on this subject. And don't feel know way - we both know parents who have hinted to their children that they should marry 'good hair' for the children.

[malaise]

72. You know why there is a rejection of weaves and wigs

people are losing all their hair and are getting really scared.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

114. Exactly!! Those edges! GONE!!!

[Catherine Vincent]

96. Yes, remember how little Gabby got a lot of flak for her hair

[malaise]

70. So do I but they would eat her alive

Take that to the bank

[NOLALady]

103. Sometime ago

I read that MO does not use chemicals in her hair.

I would be surprised if she did since she seems to be so health conscious.

[Dems to Win]

148. Very interesting, thanks for chiming in

So....every time MO washes her hair, it has to be ironed straight?

Ugh....sounds like a lot of time and work.

[NOLALady]

178. Some will usually

straighten/smooth their hair about once a week. Takes about an hour or less. Not very much time or work. Plus it's a lot healthier than the chemicals. So, in that respect it's worth the effort.

Personally, I think the heat also damages the hair. But, it's a far cry better than chemicals.

[MADem]

106. Do we know for sure that's her hair?

People are shocked to learn that Jackie Kennedy wore wigs while in the WH. Yep, those impossible hairstyles of hers with that "thick Bouvier hair" were wigs and wiglets. The reason her hair looked so different in the seventies is because she stopped with the wigs and the frou-frou hair.

John Travolta wears wigs. So does Tony Bennett--he's been bald since the sixties. He's got the best wigmaker money can buy.

That Sherry Shepherd on THE VIEW has a different hairdo every day-different lengths, different colors, etc. She's probably got a wig to go w/every pair of shoes she owns!

[Dems to Win]

150. Good question. Maybe not?

I had just assumed MO was using chemical relaxers on her hair, but this thread has educated me that there are myriad possibilities....maybe a wig, maybe she irons her hair.

Truly, I feel it's none of my business, yet......acceptance/celebration of kinky black hair is a political issue, it's clear from reading this thread. MO could be a powerful role model in this debate, if she chooses to take it on.

Purely from health considerations, we MUST make it acceptable/fashionable for black women to have unprocessed hair. ASAP!

[malaise]

155. It is one of the most political gender issues and has been long before abolition

in our hemisphere

[MADem]

161. Anytime anyone is putting crap on their head that is absorbed into their bodies for the sake of

fashion, that's just not a good thing.

I am astounded at how many people fiddle with what nature gave them--if it's not hair dye, it's texture or curl. People with curly hair go to insane efforts to make their hair straight, and people with straight hair go ga-ga trying to make their hair curly. And people with not enough hair head for the wigmaker, the weaver.... or go through Hair Plug Hell!

People always seem to want what they don't have...!

[Dems to Win]

179. Agree 100%. I support wash-and-go hair for everyone, fashion can take a hike

as far as I'm concerned. The chemicals are really bad for people, that's my concern in this whole issue.

[MADem]

180. Happiness is the ultimate beauty.

If people are happy, it shows. People who are happiest look their best, I think.

The most beautiful person in the world, primped and pampered and made up to the nines, with the finest hair style and the most expensive jewelry.... wearing a pair of ill fitting shoes, has a massive scowl on their face that makes them look like hell in a handbasket!!!

[heaven05]

22. stunned with her beauty

I'll never be the same.

[grantcart]

23. she made it to the top 12 talent, she is a ballerina, so maybe she has a chance.

http://www.missworld.com/News/2013-09-17/Today-Miss-World-17th-September/

[malaise]

75. We'll see

By the way an Indian colleague sent me an email about the nasty comments about Miss USA, Nina Davuluri, who is Indo-American. He said the sad truth is that an Indian woman with her complexion had a better chance of winning Miss USA than Miss India because of the contempt for dark women (and men) in India. No where on the planet do women use more bleaching creams than in India.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

116. Exactly. Here is an example of how European standards of beauty has impacted people of color

Last edited Sat Sep 21, 2013, 11:04 AM - Edit history (1)

from around the world. I live in an area with a very large Indian and Pakistani population. Skin bleaching and brightening creams are huge here everywhere you go. They are just as huge as hair relaxers are for black women.

In Latin countries, dark-skinned Brazilians and Argentians, for example, are often the poorest and least likely to be seen in commercials featuring "beautiful women". However, Brazilians tend to boast that they have overcome all vestiges of racism in their country.

[malaise]

119. Brazil may have the most problems linked to race in our entire hemisphere and

that's saying something.
The English-speaking Caribbean has more class problems than racial although we all know who dominate the working class poor. In Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago they have the inter-ethnic - Afro-Indo issues although it is less of a problem in T&T.

Some of the tensions are linked to the mulatto's usually siding with minorities while hoping for some crumbs.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

122. Exactly!! My friend from Sri Lanka said the same thing. Same problems. Same caste system...

Just so happens that darker-skinned people also tend to be poorer, trapped in life of poverty, etc. I don't think it's an accident. Same in Brazil. Same in Cuba. Same all over the world. Most of our early black leaders were mulattos--especially true in the South where I grew up. The biggest, wealthiest black families were mostly very light or light-skinned. I'm related to Harold Ford, Jr. (yeah, I know). His side of the Ford Family in Memphis is extremely light-skinned. They know very little about our side. Entire black families have been divided and destroyed over skin color, hair texture, etc. It's very sad. You know this, already, but I'm trying to present examples so that those who may not understand may know what's going on.

The light vs. dark-skinned issue is still something that we battle with, particularly in the American South. It's changing, but the legacy of slavery is still with us. Again, no different in other countries that were colonized; they have very similar challenges.

[malaise]

128. Decades ago we were discussing Garveyism in a classroom

Students were discussing race in their families. One young man said he was the surviving fraternal twin. He said both of them came down with a childhood disease at the same time. The mother insisted that his brother (the fair one) be sent to the private hospital and he was sent to the public hospital. As fate would have it the 'fair one' died'. What was worse was that his mother reminded him all his life that she wanted his brother to survive because life would be easier for him.

I had to dry my eyes that day in class. I could tell you stories for days about sisters pretending they weren't sisters because one 'could pass'.

A landlady in the US gave my oldest sister notice in the late 60s when my second sister arrived to study because the landlady never realized big sister had African ancestry - she thought she was Asian

Racism is a fucked up thing sis.

[ann---]

27. Wasn't there a similar situation

with the teen gymnastics competitor in the last Olympics? She wore her hair natural, too, and it was the source of really rude social commentary.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

34. That was Gabby Douglas, and she wasn't natural. She wore her hair relaxed, but

some people in the black community felt that it wasn't well kept. In other words, she needed a relaxer "touch up". After that uproar, Dominique Dawes, friend, mentor and fellow gymnist, tried to encourage Gabby and other black female athletes to "go natural". I'm not sure if Gabby is now natural, but, again, as I explained upthread, black people have internalized self hatred so much so that it was us who had the issue with her hair. I didn't hear whites complaining about Gabby's hair. They had no clue what the big fuss was about. Just to be sure, there were *some* vocal critics in the black community that made a big deal about her hair. The majority of blacks were proud of Gabby and didn't care about her hair.

[Dems to Win]

38. You're right, I didn't understand the fuss about Gabby's hair.

It was just a ponytail, like all the other girls....

I had to read several articles to figure out they were fussing because the first inch or so of Gabby's hair was curly---sheesh! Much ado about nothing.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

110. I say, she should let all of it be "curly". :)

[malaise]

73. And from women of her own ethnicity

That was the shocker

[CatWoman]

28. I went natural about 5 or 6 years ago

and haven't looked back

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

35. I love it! Don't you???

[CatWoman]

51. yup

[Nedsdag]

63. I went natural nearly 20 years ago.

I started braiding my hair. Now I mini twist my hair.

I haven't looked back either.

[NOLALady]

102. Hey.

I've been free of the "creamy crack" for about 15 years. Loving very minute of it!

[CatWoman]

147. the final straw for me

was all the sores in my head from that shit burning my scap.

[Iggo]

29. Aw!

She's pur-dy!

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

31. YES!!! My hair looks just like that! Makes me proud. I wish more black women...

...would embrace their natural beauty. This woman is stunning! She's one of the most beautiful women I've ever laid eyes on!!!

[calimary]

37. Dayum, she's BEAUTIFUL!

What's so bad about her hair? I guess other people see an issue with it, but I sure don't. MAN she's gorgeous!

[malaise]

91. Why is she the only contestant of African ancestry

with natural hair - that is the question.
I love her hair - the establishment - not so much.

[lynne]

40. WOW! She is stunningly beautiful -

- and her hair is stunningly beautiful, too. I say this as a "beyond being pale" white gal with natural red hair. You don't have to be of color to recognize and appreciate natural beauty and she sure has it.

[malaise]

92. and I believe you

but the Miss World judges now - not likely.

[Aerows]

43. Good heavens, she's a knockout!

I'm pretty much as white as they come, so I don't really get the hair thing, but she's absolutely gorgeous!

[Jefferson23]

44. my goodness, that face would still look beautiful even with no hair..but I get your point.

Best of luck to her.

[Beacool]

45. She is strikingly beautiful.

Nothing wrong with her hair either.

[malaise]

47. Mine is also natural but how many folks do you see accepted with

their natural hair anywhere?

[Dems to Win]

55. I've always liked Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton's hair.

Professional and also practical, easy-care.

She's been very well accepted with her natural hair.

eta: sorry, can't figure out how to add a pic.

[SoCalDem]

58. Here's her pic.. I love her hair

Imagine the TIME and hassle she avoids..
Love Melissa-Harris-Perry, but her weave looks painful

[malaise]

69. I don't like mine that short

Last edited Fri Sep 20, 2013, 05:51 PM - Edit history (1)

Used to wear a French plait or braid all of it.

[SoCalDem]

80. There is no option when it's short like that, but it sure would be easy

Every time I grow mine out, I end up looking like the "Old Grey Mare".. ...and I get in the shower with my Solingen scissors and give myself a very short "do"..

My family & friends cannot believe that I cut my own hair..and in the shower no less, but that works best for me

[malaise]

81. I cut mine off three years ago

People were in shock - I kept it really short for a year but I've grown it back some. I'll never have it really long again, but I like options.
I'm not even cutting what's left of hubby's hair - I'll have a trim next week.

[Beacool]

64. There are a couple of women at work who wear it natural and they look great.

I work for a Fortune 100 and I haven't heard anything negative about their hair.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

118. That is refreshing to hear. I do think things are changing. I wish they would change faster in the

black community, but that will take some time. We're seeing more images of natural black women in commercials and in television shows and less relaxers, braids, and weaves. And in more progressive areas of the country, changes are coming. But it's going to take some time but we'll get there. The more images of black beauty we see, the more we will begin to embrace in all of its glory.

[Aerows]

160. She's so gorgeous

you would have to be absolutely blind and without the ability to touch those gorgeous locks. She is beautiful

[malaise]

163. That is true but women who wear natural hair are viewed as

'not conforming to the establishment standard of beauty'. I think this is slowly changing - we shall see. There was a time when only very fair women and men of African ethnicity were acceptable on TV - that has changed.

[Solly Mack]

48. I would love to see the BS concept of "good" and "bad" hair put to rest.

Everyone that knows what that means knows exactly where those standards of beauty came from and what they're rooted in.

Leslassa Amour-Shillingford is a beautiful woman from her hair to her toes.

It is rare in a beauty contest to see the standards of beauty challenged this way. (by going natural)

And it is a damn shame it is so rare.


This my niece. That is her hair. Her wonderful natural hair. She is beautiful.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

52. adorable <3

[Solly Mack]

54. Thank you, La Lioness Priyanka.

I hope she continues to keep it natural as she gets older. We encourage her to do so.

[AnneD]

65. I recommend seeing the movie Good Hair...

For many years I have worked in predominately black schools-both in students and faculty. I remember at an after hours gathering and the women started talking about hair. It was an eye opening conversation for me. They recommended the movie. I laughed and cried. How sad that ones sense of beauty be shaped or should I say warped so.

People need to be accepted as the are. I have seen beautiful 'fros, dreadlocks, and curls---and they all look lovely to me because the beauty comes from the inside.

[Solly Mack]

66. Worth watching.

Thanks for reminding me of that movie!

[malaise]

126. Society warped it

You were not acceptable for public display - on TV, you were not beautiful, etc. that was the official meme and way too many people of African ethnicity bought the Kool-Aid and literally hate their hair. What kind of dolls do people buy for their children. Shouldn't the dolls look like the children. A lot of this crap is about a lack of self- esteem. I was lucky - my best friend's mother told me I would be a beautiful woman when I was a little girl and when one of my friends was entering a beauty contest my father simply held a family contest and declared that we were all Miss Worlds. You have to really be comfortable with who you are not to drink the Kool-Aid and there is not just establishment hatred of us but many of us hate ourselves.

Here's a true story. Decades ago a lady I knew won a scholarship to a prestigious catholic school in the Caribbean. When it was time for the Christmas play she asked the nun if she could be an angel. The nun's response - Tut tut child have you ever seen a black angel. She told us that story when she was in her late 40s. It still hurt..

[AnneD]

182. OMG....

Wonder what she would have thought about our plays. We at one point had black baby Jesus and a black Santa Clause. I just marvel at the profound ignorance.

[malaise]

183. That has changed

Big time - thankfully.

[Blue_In_AK]

57. My granddaughter Sofia's hair is trending that way, too,

although hers is blond. She has her dad's texture and her mom's color.

[Solly Mack]

59. Sofia is beautiful and I love her curls.

[Dems to Win]

62. Beautiful!

The winner of So You Think You Can Dance from a few years ago, Sabra, has hair similar to your niece's. I always felt that it added to her dance performances -- it bounced a bit in response to her head movements. It was completely different, in a refreshing way, from the women with long bleached blond hair that they flung around.

I hope that when your niece is a teenager, she and her peers will feel she is blessed with magnificent hair (true!) and there is no need to change it at all.

[Solly Mack]

67. That is also my hope.

Peer (and societal) pressure can be great but I hope she knows her worth and that she's wonderful just the way she is.

Thanks!

[malaise]

71. What a beauty

My dad gave us a lecture on good hair when we were children - that was good enough for me.

[Solly Mack]

85. She's spoiled rotten. :)

I say that with great approval. lol

[malaise]

86. Ha -she's adorable

Please show her Miss Dominica

[Solly Mack]

87. I will. She will be here in November to spend time with me.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

115. She is beautiful. She and I have exactly the same hair texture and style! Wouldn't change for anyone

[Solly Mack]

157. I've been reading the thread and I just want to 'Thank' both you and malaise

for your exchange up thread about Miss USA/race, as exampled by what is and isn't considered beautiful, i.e. "acceptable", based on standards imposed by outside influences rooted in racism, and how that still impacts and continues to reverberate within societies that experienced being colonized.

I hope others will read this thread and decide to listen.

Thank you both!

[malaise]

165. You're welcome

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

168. You're quite welcome. I find it a fascinating topic and hope it helps people understand more.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

50. so stunning. love her hair and indeed it is a good sign that she is wearing it natural

[whatchamacallit]

56. So fine...

[panader0]

60. Stunningly beautiful. I hope she wins.

[kwassa]

61. My wife's hair looks like this.

She went natural right after we got married, but wore it short for many years. She has a terrible time finding hair stylists, even African-American stylists, that knew how to cut natural hair. I cut her hair for awhile!

She has been growing out for the past few years, and it looks like this when it is down. She often wears it back in a bun, or piled on top of her head.

[Number23]

88. "I cut her hair for awhile!" Kwassa, my opinion of you just went up about 1000 notches

And it was already pretty high to begin with!

[malaise]

90. LOL

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

120. Oh, shit! I need to find a husband like you! You cut your black wife's hair?!?!? PRAISE YOU!!!

[Liberal_in_LA]

68. love her hair

[libodem]

79. I love natural hair!

It looks wonderful to me. She's lovely. Woo Hoo!!

[JI7]

82. she would look good Bald also

but i always liked the natural hair look on black women. i wonder if it's more common among black women in Latin nations because it seems like many of the ones who i know who usually go with that look tend to be from places like South America, the islands etc.

[malaise]

84. She's from Dominica not Dominican Republic

English and French Creole. Sadly it's not common anywhere these days for women of African ethnicity to wear natural hair - most have bought the Kool-aid.

[lynne]

93. I just noticed she was from the Island of Dominica -

- I was there just last year! It's a wonderful, lush, beautiful spot. I was fortunate enough to spend an afternoon rafting down a river in their rain forest. I found the people there really engaging and friendly, as well. Would love to go back some time.

[malaise]

94. Lovely island

Hope they don't spoil it - and yes they are lovely people

[David__77]

83. Her hair is lovely.

And while I think woman and men should wear their hair how they want, I do wish I'd see more natural hair on women and on men too (growing it out). I do think that the natural hair is beautiful and complementary.

[malaise]

166. Have you noticed de Blasio's kids

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

169. Yes. You know Bloomberg made a big deal out of this during the campaign. Accused de Blasio of racism

because he was "showcasing" his black wife and kids. HUH? What was he supposed to do? Hide the fact that he has a black wife and kids? No, what's racist, Mike, is stopping black people on the street without cause--BECAUSE THEY ARE BLACK--and frisking them because you think they may have a gun. Asshole!

Anyway, there was an article on de Blasio's son Dante (I think that's his name). Dante became the star of the campaign; his afro became very popular. I posted an article that was written about Dante's afro and why it is more important than his father's win:

http://globalgrind.com/2013/09/11/dante-de-blasios-afro-photos-more-important-dads-mayoral-candidate-win/

http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2013/08/dante-de-blasio-amazing-afro.html

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/08/14/dante-de-blasio-might-just-have-gotten-his-dad-elected-mayor.html

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/jon-stewart-praises-charismatic-family-bill-de-blasio-article-1.1453477

And I'll leave you with Grio's "Politics of Natural Hair":

http://www.theroot.com/views/afros-natural-hair-and-politics

[malaise]

172. Bloomberg is a fugging lunatic -- imagine calling a man

racist for taking pictures with his wife and children. We know who's the real racist.
That blew our minds.

Maybe Joy Reid can set the standard and go natural - she's an excellent journalist with an African father and a Guyanese mother.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

181. Yeah, I don't understand her hair at all. It's almost gone. It's so thin and lifeless. Why

continue to relax? I hope she does. I really like her.

I

[NuttyFluffers]

97. reminds me of Chris Rock's docu "The Good Hair"

very illuminating, especially since the vast majority of my extended family have no experience with such heavily textured hair. the chemicals alone are frightening to learn about.

[malaise]

109. The chemicals are a billion dollar industry

with more than a few side effects.

[Cha]

98. Leslassa Amour-Shillingford is beautiful as is her hair~

“I love my frizzy hair…. I’m 100% about that frizzy life”, Leslassa Amour-Shillingford, Miss World – Dominica 2013

I love it!

[woolldog]

99. Woweee!

What a babe.

[edbermac]

101. Nice looking lady, but that pic has been photoshopped way too much.

Looks more natural here.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

125. YES!! YES!! YES!!! Folks, this is black hair in its natural state. Note: not all blacks have the

same texture. Some hair is curlier than others. Some is kinkier than others. Some is straighter than others. Just like everyone else. But, by and large, this is it! And she's wearing it and wearing it beautifully!!

[icymist]

107. Very beautiful woman. nt

[marmar]

123. Caribbean Queen ...... now we're sharing the same dream

[malaise]

134. LOL

[tblue37]

135. Just recently a lovely little girl with neat, not too long hair

was kicked out of an elite, predominantly black elementary school for not having relaxed hair, even though her hair was pulled up in a neat, pretty hairdo with a pink bow.

The school BANNED "afros" and "dreadlocks," and they considered her hair to be dreads. They also banned mohawks, but they considered natural, unrelaxed black hair to be a "fad" style like mohawks!

The little girl was crying in the video report I saw.

[malaise]

136. Well rastas won that argument in Jamaica

and they don't dare mess with natural hair but some elite schools do ban braids although more than a few parents ignore them.

[Beacool]

139. That's just ridiculous!!!

Was the girl expelled or just told to come back with a different do?

[a kennedy]

143. Saw that, and it just broke my heart......

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

138. For those who still may need to understand this debate, remember Brown v. Board of Education?

Thurgood Marshall and his team of lawyers had to show how detrimental segregation was to black children. In other words, they felt that they need to demonstrate that segregation (unequal treatment) did not only have a negative impact on educational achievement, but that it also impacted black children on a very psychological level.

So, to prove how horrible racism affected black children, a black psychologist name Dr. Kenneth Clark developed the "Doll Test" whereby he would ask very young impressionable black children several questions about the qualities of whites v. blacks. His researchers would present a white doll and put it beside a black doll and would ask questions like:

1. Which one is more beautiful?
2. Which one is good?
3. Which one is better? Which one is worse?
4. Which one is smart? Which one is dumb?

In every instance and in every test trial, the black children associated the white doll with having good characteristics ("good hair," being smart, being good, etc.) and associated the black doll with having bad characteristics (bad hair, ugly, etc.).

It was the Doll experiments that provided the compelling evidence that Marshall and his attorneys needed to convince the U.S. Supreme Court that racism has deleterious affects on black children, black families, etc., but that dejure segregation also had tremendously negative psychological impacts on black children, thus affecting their ability to build self esteem, to learn, to feel like a valuable part of society.

There have been similar experiments since Dr. Clark's Doll Tests, but I thought the one conducted by Anderson Cooper was quite provocative:

I believe that black people--and ALL people of color--continue to battle with internalized self hatred (or racism). People of African descent, in particular, have trouble with this.

Kenneth Clark and the Doll Test:

&list=PL43D9C89B6A0A3A61&index=1

Who taught black children self hatred:

&list=PL43D9C89B6A0A3A61&index=3

[malaise]

140. TV, movies, all the socializing agencies

including the family, religious institutions, media, peer groups and most of the clubs - sports or social.

Recently I ran into a friend's grown up son at a function. He gave me a big hug, introduced me to his wife and young children and told them that when he was six years old in the middle of a shopping mall I was talking with his dad, gave him a smile and told him that he was a very handsome boy. He told them no one had ever told him that before and he realized that he was handsome. We have not been included - except in some fugged up carricatures.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

144. Yep, yep, I agree! All of it. Our families who can't accept our natural hair. Our churches.

Our lovers, significant others, husbands. Our friends and peers. I agree! All of them. Someone said that she wished she had Sage Steele's hair texture; if she did, that would be the only way she'd "go natural". So, there's still some work to do from within. Even within the natural hair community--you've seen this on YouTube--debates about hair typing, the looseness of the curl pattern, finding the right, magical product that will "relax" the curl and make it look like Sage...

[img][/img]

...and less like Ya Ya:

[img][/img]

So, we still have a long way to go even from within the community.

[malaise]

145. Both are lovely but I know exactly what you mean

The argument I love is when they say they process because it's easier to comb.

[LittleBlue]

146. Looks soft, like feathers

Thick, too. Stunning head of hair. Beautiful face.

She isna real knockout, thanks for posting.

[Dems to Win]

149. Freedom for the Sisters!

Reading thru this fascinating thread, I'm now convinced that black women aren't truly free until they can know the joys of wash-and-go hair.

I never had a clue that wigs are so common for famous black women like Beyonce.

I never knew that some black women avoided working out, getting sweaty, showering with their lovers, etc so as to not muss their hair. That really constricts their lives.

I hope Miss Dominica wins and starts/accelerates a worldwide fashion trend of natural hair for black women.

[malaise]

152. Yes attitudes have to change

but there's a small opening these days. I hope this time it's torn wide open.

[Dems to Win]

151. Hmmm. Black women are still encumbered by awful hair care practices, as

white women were in the 50s. They would have their hair done at the salon once a week, then not wash it until the next visit. They would avoid sweating or swimming, etc, the rest of the week, so as to not muss their hair.

Easy care, wash-and-go hair was a part of the feminist credo, to allow women to do more important things. And to participate in sports, which is so healthy.

Surely if we can change enough to elect a black President, we can extend that change to acceptance of black women's natural hair. By women and men of all colors.

Go Miss Dominica!

[JaneyVee]

154. Absolutely gorgeous.

[Eleanors38]

158. Marry me!!

[jwirr]

159. She is beautiful.

[bluestate10]

170. Oh my god, an Indian Miss American, now a Black Miss World. Dynamite is surely

exploding under the asses of the right this morning.

[malaise]

173. Neither has won the contest

the finals are next week

[lunamagica]

174. She's probably the only contestant there with natural hair

Who knows how many of the other contestants have dyed hair, extensions, or reach for the flat iron first thing in the morning.

While I understand all that's been discussed here about black women accepting their hair, the push towards unattainable beauty doesn't only target them. Those commercials with thick, silky hair feature women who have had their hair and make up done for like two hours and then are heavily Photoshopped. It's not real, and it's unattainable. For everyone.

[madrchsod]

176. i certainly agree with the judges...

[malaise]

177. The final is next week

Saturday 28 September