I just don't get it. Why is this article acceptable? I am incensed on so many different levels.
In a nutshell, Newsweek writer Allison Samuels, who happens to be Black, takes Angelina Jolie to task for not "fixing" Zahara's hair, and in fact referring to the poor girl's hair as a "hot mess." (Grrr!!)
I don't have words. Please fill them in for me. What do you think about this article? And is it just me or do you think Zahara's hair is beautiful just the way it is? Is Samuels viewing the girl's hair through her own bias of what's acceptable for Black hair styles? Not to mention, as many folks have pointed out, Zahara's White sisters' hair is just as "wild and free" which would indicate that the Jolie-Pitts in general aren't frou-frou parents who are going to take time to add ponytails and ribbons to their daughters' hair. Even Angelina seems to favor low-maintenance hair-dos, so what's good for mommy...
All I have to say is, shame on you Allison Samuels. For all of your reported concern on how little Zahara is going to feel looking back at her childhood pictures, how is she going to feel stumbling upon this cruel and uncalled for article?
For the rest of you, Peace and Hair Grease
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12 comments:
WTF? That is all.
That's too bad. Really it is.
Not Cool!
First I just wanna say...I won...doing my happy dance!! Okay now back to your post.
I think its sad when all black folks can say about Zhara is that her hair is a HOT MESS!! Does anyone care that she is well provided for by two loving and supportive parents. That she lives in a home that encourages individuality. Maybe that's part of the problem; Zhara has too much freedom to enjoy just being a kid. Or maybe its because its easier to focus on what is presumed to be the negative instead of the positive. I honestly think Zhara is absolutely gorgeous and for a grown woman to publicly call this child out is completely unacceptable and tacky.
Allison Samuels, why don't you mind your own (expletive) business! Zahara is Angie's daughter, not yours...so why should you care? It's not your concern. Let Angie tackle the "hair" issue on her own. I'm sure she has enough to deal with without people like you nipping at her heels. Anyway, you're the least of Angie's worries--so get over yourself! When Angie goes to bed at night she probably won't give a damn what you think about her or her daughter's hair.
Now, can we please get on with more important matters in the world other than this black woman's rant? Geez! No offense Lori!
she says a mouthful when she says, 'from slavery until today skin color and hair texture played a part in how the overall society viewed black and ultimately the way blacks viewed themselves'
should values we used to convince the 'larger' society that we were, indeed, human, really still be used to guide us today? when do we get to start relating to ourselves and others on the assumption of freedom? i can't believe this woman writes for newsweek.
The article was her opinion and she is quite entitled.
Latoya Peterson really broke down this article on Jezebel.
I had no word. Ms. Samuels need to not project her issues onto a CHILD. Especially a child that is not hers. WTF?!
Eveybody,
I'm glad to see I wasn't the only one outraged. But still, anon, I appreciate your comment. Indeed, Samuels does have the right to her own opinion but does that opinion need to make it into print under the guise of good journalism?
Terrible for the writer to write about little Zhara's hair like that. One day that child shall grow up (Lord willing) and she and her classmates will be able to look back and find this...the media's needs to remember this and take it into consideration.
Loving our hair begins at home. And I'm saying this as a young Black woman with a boy cut (very short).
I wrote about Chris Rocks movie on my weblog...www.ourvoices.wordpress.com
I refuse to watch that mess...airing dirty laundry is what it is.Bookmarking your site.
http://jezebel.com/5391817/an-open-appeal-to-the-jolie+pitt-hair-police#viewcomments
this was a great rebuttal to this article, thought you might enjoy this one LT
Hey, I've wanted to comment on this thread for a while, but thought I didn't really have anything of substance to contribute. (My child, whom we adopted, is biracial, but as a boy with fine wavy hair is unlikely to run into these issues.) But I've become a bit confused and wanted to ask a question. Is the author's issue simply with natural hair? I mean, would she criticize this woman's hair as a hot mess (http://lecoil.tumblr.com/post/230842009)?
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