Michelle Lapidos (@michellejoni) is a white, blonde woman on an Eat, Pray, Love-type journey of self-discovery. And thanks to her Afro wig, she’s learning a lot about self-liberation, but sadly, little about self-awareness.
Lapidos started a blog, Before and Afro, chronicling her exploits roaming around New York City in a cartoonish afro wig she bought to wear at a ’70′s-themed office party. She says, “The afro changed my perspective; it made me think, walk, see and experience life differently. I wear it often. It’s not about feeling black… what I actually feel like is ME, understood more clearly. It’s not an alter ego. It’s an amplified ego.”
Lapidos only wears her ‘fro to events where there are sure to be a high concentration of black people, so she might take photos with said black folks. She even wore her wig to a Fried Chicken Extravaganza (what the…?), which she claims “was obviously an occasion to wear the fro.” (duh! because black people like fried chicken, amiright?)
Several people, including some of Lapidos’s phantom ‘black friends‘ have told her that donning the ‘fro as a white woman might be a little problematic or even hurtful to some people of color. Even though this issue has been brought to her attention, she still insists that the people of color (and white folks) advising her to cease and desist just don’t understand her innocent little experiment.
Yet in each of her posts, Lapidos fails to explain how her “perspective” (her word) has changed, what about her life is different, or how she better understands herself. Her body language, however, says it all. In her first photoshoot with the ‘fro, she poses in a “gangsta” stance. In another photo, she is growling.
Ugh. Curly Nikki perfectly sums up why Lapidos’s actions are troublesome:
Why is her behavior offensive? Because it ignores why natural hair is such a big deal in the Black community. Her behavior has no regard for the cultural traditions of caring for Black hair. It is akin to wearing Blackface and then exercising the luxury of removing it at will. Yes, a white woman by virtue of white privilege can walk around with an afro and think it’s cute to experiment. Meanwhile, Black women around the world, are forced to consider straightening our hair for job interviews because we know how negatively our hair can be viewed. We know what it’s like to hear people remark on how ‘professional’ we look only when we are not wearing our hair out in its natural state. @michellejoni just doesn’t get it, nor does it appear she has any intention of sincerely attempting to understand.
What do you think? Is Michelle’s “Before and Afro” blog offensive, or just harmless fun?
~Jihan
October 18, 2012 9:04 am
What exactly is she trying to find? Her African roots?? White people need to know when to stop and accept their white privilege, particularly the privilege of European standards of beauty!
October 18, 2012 9:05 am
She is a coon! That is all…..
October 18, 2012 9:07 am
I dont see how a damn wig is going to help her find herself looks to me like she just wants to be black or either just wants some black meat in her life!
October 18, 2012 9:15 am
I see no substance of why or what she is getting out of this “experiment” even if she said ” I am doing this to see how people are treated when they decide to wear natural hair” I could understand more but from where I sit she is simply making a mockery out of my culture and that is far from harmless.
I started my journey to grow my hair so that in the future I will be more comfortable in wearing it natural. My reason is to become less dependant on salon services and I have this feeling when I make the transition it will affect me in a freeing type of way spiritually.
October 18, 2012 9:27 am
She clearly looks kinda deranged..
October 18, 2012 9:29 am
Can’t even waste my eyes to read her blog. The wig, the poses, the outfits and the events she feels the need to don the wig are degrading to Black folks. Did she find this a way to “fit in” with the Black crowd. #icant #wearenotexperiments
October 18, 2012 9:33 am
Ugh live ur life people…. Its not that serious. Says a 5yr natural chick.. We waste tooo much time on such thing… Like this shud not even be a post…if she wanna do her, n find her leave her… You guys give too much power to silly events like this… Now shes gonna see this and get hype…
So a black woman wearing a 20inch Weave to white e ents n chronicling it is wrong??
Its a fashion blog centered around the black person, lets keep it that way.. Sheesh…
October 18, 2012 9:36 am
Shes getting exactly what she wants… Attention.
October 18, 2012 9:46 am
Seems like a person who is simply enjoying the attention and that’s what this “amplified ego” she is talking about is getting. Its a bit stupid to me so I’m not at all offended. Plus it seems like all the black people that take pics with her love it and it doesn’t seem like she’s getting any backlash when she attends events looking like a complete clown! Being offended by her stupidity is giving her too much power and as a black woman I refuse to allow such ignorance to illicit any response other than shack my head and keep it moving.
October 18, 2012 9:48 am
I’ve been following this entire thing and she still doesn’t get it. It’s cultural escapism at its best and her willful ignorance in justifying what she’s doing is comically pathetic. However, its nothing new. She’ll continue to seek out the opinions of the “few black friends” she has especially those that don’t see it as a big deal and use that as a pass. I mean post racial society right… *sarcasm*
October 18, 2012 9:50 am
What about women who perm their hair?? Is it offensive that they are mimicking european hair by having it straightened?? Dont define urself or a person by hair. Jihan can be very negative sometimes and other women like to follow suit. But hey to each his own right? *side eye*
October 18, 2012 9:55 am
What’s the big deal, we african american women walk around with unnatural hair all the time !!! Its more common place than this experiment of hers. So that like a double standard, right? I say let her do her and you do you.
October 18, 2012 10:02 am
if she were wearing a j.crew ensemble and her wig, i would be less hypersenstive. However, all of her ensembles look rather cartoonish and attention seeking, thus I question the real aim of her quest. ANYWHOOOO ….
MY BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL
October 18, 2012 10:03 am
lol. That’s a false equivalent. It should be noted that historically, black women straightened their hair for conformity – to fit into a society that still treats them like the other, not to magically find themselves. That’s all I’m saying about that.
I formed my opinion on my own when I first read her blog days ago, to each his own indeed.
October 18, 2012 10:04 am
p.s. I am annoyed you guys are even shedding attention on this. As much as I am curious, refuse to give her blog any hits. That would encourage her to continue her buffoonery
October 18, 2012 10:05 am
She looks stupid and i think that’s the point…that and the attention. I don’t think her wearing an afro wig to chicken events is newsworthy.
October 18, 2012 10:05 am
I’m with RKW_love. Could sincerely care less.
October 18, 2012 10:06 am
The problem is not that she likes to wear an afro and claims that its beautiful. There are plenty of white people who have very curly hair that looks like an afro. The problem arises because she sees it as a joke. it is not a genuine expriment as much as it is a way to get attention (and the WRONG KIND at that). In addition to that, this is not her lifestyle. I have a problem when people think it is cute to dabble in “blk culture” and relish in the ability to go home and go back to being a white girl.
The poses, the horrible outfits, like wtf lady? get a life! She isn’t trying to represent the black culture in a respectable way, she is making a mockery!
October 18, 2012 10:06 am
She needs to get a grip. I can’t with the poses and the fact that she only wants to take these pictures with Black people. I wonder if these outfits are something she would wear while out and about without the wig or if it’s a part of ‘finding herself.’
October 18, 2012 10:19 am
I’m surprised at how good looking the people in her photos are (at least the ones featured on FB).
October 18, 2012 10:33 am
Oh please… Black women wear straight weaves everyday; this chick wears an afro wig… WHO CARES? It’s just hair… and if this is how she choses to beg for attention, again, who cares… There are way bigger fishes to fry.
October 18, 2012 10:35 am
Is she biracial? I don’t get it. How does a fro wig help a Caucasian woman find herself?
October 18, 2012 10:37 am
She is obviouly doing this for attenion (which she is getting). If she isn’t wearing it to work and only parties what is the point.
October 18, 2012 10:38 am
Why is her wearing an afro offensive? That’s like saying a black women wearing 20 inch straight blond weave is offensive to white people, its stupid! And for some of you that don’t know it is possible for white people to have natural hair that’s curly/afroy..its her life her choice let her do what she wants! I don’t see how it affects you. And I hope all of you people judging her I hope you don’t wear weave that’s all I’m saying
October 18, 2012 10:38 am
white folks have always copied us…nothing new here…
October 18, 2012 10:42 am
this is funny to me….in a chelsea handler kind of way…as in not really. but whatever…maybe it’s just a ploy for her to get more attention. I wonder what kind of men she is interested in dating….:-)
October 18, 2012 10:45 am
Seriously why is this even a post -__-
My hairs been natural for 3 years, sometimes i still wear weaves or straighten my hair, what’s the big deal its just hair. Black women have been perming and wearing long straight weaves for ages now, should white & Asian people be offended???
None was physically hurt over this, if it makes her happy then so be it, there really isn’t enough time in the world to worry about things like this.
LIVE LOVE LIFE!!!
October 18, 2012 10:46 am
What makes it offensive is her coon-ish posing in the pics. She’s obviously attention seeking – the difference between her & Black women who put weaves in their hair is that we are not imitating white women when we do. If she really wanted to “get in touch” why not go for a real styled wig and not this exaggerated costume thing and why only go to places & events with a predominately Black crowd unless she’s trying to provoke responses. Why doesn’t she photograph herself around whites and get THEIR responses to her coonery? I hope for her sake that she doesn’t try this around the wrong person or people and “get her wig snatched” FOR REAL.
October 18, 2012 10:51 am
“It’s cultural escapism at its best.” Nicely phrased @Carribbelle.
I wish there was a choice between thinking it is offensive and not that big of a deal because I haven’t made up my mind about it yet. Sometimes I think we nitpick over things that aren’t worth it, but then sometimes I agree with the detailed assessment.
October 18, 2012 10:59 am
If it is okay for black women to regularly wear European/Indian/ Brazilian hair extensions, she should be able to wear her Afro.
October 18, 2012 11:02 am
Of course it’s offensive and she is totally aware of this fact. However, she want attention and we have given it to her. Don’t waste your time trying to analyze her motives. They are clear as day. Let’s move on to more pressing issues.
October 18, 2012 11:05 am
I’ll pass on this blog, no thanks ma’am.
October 18, 2012 11:06 am
I agree w/ wayward chic…
Who cares what she does with her hair!
I think the whole natural hair vs relaxed hair controversey is very petty personally.
Although the way she is behaving may be offensive, how is what she’s doing much different then all the black women sporting 30 inch platinum blonde lacefronts??!!? Looks just as ridic…
October 18, 2012 11:19 am
Not giving her blog any hits. She looks obnoxious and a complete fool.
October 18, 2012 11:21 am
I just want you guys to know every negative comment on here that’s said about her and HER Afro is what is said about black girls when they come around with 10 pounds of hair that’s not theirs,and secondly I’ve notice us black like to scream out equality until it comes on to a white person….that’s why we are so confuses as a race and so bias…I say if she’s finding herself let her…someone even went as far as saying they don’t see the point of what she’s doing? Really? Just judgemental smh!
October 18, 2012 11:24 am
How is she going to find herself with an Afro on her head and why are we giving her so much attention? SMH white people never cease to amaze me!
October 18, 2012 11:32 am
Here we go. People do dumb isht everyday. Black women throw on the most ridiculous blonde, straight wigs everyday. I don’t care. She’s living her life.
October 18, 2012 11:37 am
@KBS black women throw on blonde wigs everyday true, but they don’t claim to be on a journey of self disovery while doing it. This woman is clearly making a mockery of US. I visited her blog, she gets A LOT of hate on there as well but just seems totally unwiliing to be receptive to the criticism. So let’s just ignore her, shall we?
October 18, 2012 11:39 am
Fashion bomb yall need more hits dont yall…smh.. Claire lay low on the celebrity and bring more content based on Wat ur blog was initially about.. Your giving her attention…like ughh
I need to see u winning Claire, so plz reconsider some things… No shade.. Love u chick…..
October 18, 2012 11:40 am
After sifting through her blog, she’s definitely out of line. Her line about knowing that black women can’t take off their afros to reveal blonde soft hair sealed the deal for me.
October 18, 2012 11:55 am
How should society view our lace fronts, weaves, bleaching creams and permed hair? Is that a form of self hate or exploration?
October 18, 2012 11:56 am
She is an idiot who deserves no more attention.
October 18, 2012 12:07 pm
Who cares, we have bigger fish to fry. Most of the world is trying to find themselves, if she some how thinks rocking an afro will get them there then kudos to her dumbass.
Why are we even giving her attention? Like I said, we have bigger concerns…some chick wearing an afro is not on that agenda.
October 18, 2012 12:15 pm
Oh give the woman a break!
Why is it not okay for a white woman to wear an Afro wig but it is okay for black women to run to the beauty supply store, buy weave and then sit for hours to get long bone-straight hair sewn to their heads?
October 18, 2012 12:16 pm
she looks all the way dumb. and whats good with the “what up” pose? she may find an a** whoopin’ she keep looking.
October 18, 2012 12:22 pm
I don’t think it’s offensive at all. As long as she’s not trying to make fun or be stupid, I think it’s actually a compliment to those of us with natural hair. African American women wear straight european weaves, so why can’t she wear an afro (if she’s not trying to be stupid)?
October 18, 2012 12:43 pm
I’m still waiting for her to pose next to a black woman. Not gonna happen. But black men will shuck and jive all day for their Beckys
October 18, 2012 12:44 pm
Def not going to loose sleep or get flustered by this woman. After all the events that went down in DC last night involving volence this chick can do whatever she wants.
I have to say take a moment to visit her blog because she has now responded to the articles like this that question her motives and IMHO she makes a lot of sense in regards to how we as people and black people regard our natural hair even through we say we are proud of it.
October 18, 2012 12:45 pm
Haha! I think she’s making a fool out of herself, which she’s perfectly entitled to do. Personally, I don’t find it altogether offensive.
October 18, 2012 12:47 pm
wearing the wig is not an issue…its what she’s doing once she has the wig on.
October 18, 2012 12:49 pm
I have to admit I sort of had an afro revelation myself. In high school in England, we studied the Civil Rights movement for history, and as one of maybe five black students in the school, I was designated the role of Rosa Parks. I was encouraged (as were all the other students) to come in costume to celebrate MLK day and so a friend lent me an afro (this friend is white :) and everybody treated me soooooo differently with my afro on (my actual hair is dreadlocked) They were so friendly and wanted to hug me and take pictures with me, even though on an everyday basis I generally didn’t attract any attention whatsoever. Teachers were nicer to me, including those that had no idea my class was doing this Civil Rights costume day. A part of me was tempted to keep the afro, but nah! It wasn’t me and I missed my old anonymity.
It made me wonder if the girls who actually rock afros regularly find they are treated differently than when they have their hair braided or straightened or whatever?
October 18, 2012 12:50 pm
so you guys saying its not offensive… you think its okay for her to purposely wear a wig to a fried chicken event, because blacks will be there and she thinks were stereotypes. Would you guys be laughing or shrugging it off, if she was wearing it to a watermelon patch. LOL Some of you are as backwards, as she is.
October 18, 2012 12:53 pm
You are giving her exactly what she wants…attention. Ignorant people and their trifling behavior and influence only grows when you put a spotlight on it. If she wants to run around offending ppl that’s her business and her cross to bear. Karma is a bitch and she’ll learn the hard way, but writing all these articles and blog posts only increases her “popularity”. Some ppl thing all press — good or bad– is good press. Publishing her pictures and linking out to her blog is only helping her.
October 18, 2012 1:02 pm
another bored caucasian…..Offensive? No. Why is she posing up with all those black men anyway?
@aj – WORD!
October 18, 2012 1:23 pm
I think she’s trying to make a mockery out of us! Like, putting on a wig, you feel a sense of you?? Like okay…let me put on a blonde wig and see if I can feel a sense of Me. Like get out of here…smh…They want to talk about us, get butt implants, lip injections, boob jobs etc…and at the end of the day, they want to be us…like this country is off…that’s what I think… *shrugs*
October 18, 2012 1:31 pm
I notice the only black “friends” she’s posing with are men. Oh how the disappoint me. But she should know they may only have taken the picture with her for a chance to hit the white meat. She looks like the type.
October 18, 2012 1:39 pm
I find it offensive because by exaggerating the way she believes black people act and look (from the pictures, afro, and fried chicken statement) she builds on social constructions about black people that aren’t necessarily true. && by trying to identify with an afro she giving the illusion that “being black” is just the way you dress and act and not so much who we are. && when you say its harmless/fun/okay, you’re basically telling her “you’re right!”
October 18, 2012 1:41 pm
She clearly thinks that black Women are vulgar, based on how she dresses and how she poses. She needs God.
October 18, 2012 1:46 pm
Yall are all dramatic. Lol. Who really cares? Let her live do her. Just like half of yall walking around with straight weaves. Please. #NEXT
October 18, 2012 1:55 pm
How is there a problem? Whats the difference between a white woman rocking an Afro and a black woman wearing European styled weave/wigs..
October 18, 2012 1:58 pm
WOW, her afro is offensive, Black women kill me with this. Just stop it who are you trying to find when you buy REMI hair and then have the nerve to go in on another women because hers is Milky Way. LOL!! I don’t know what good weave is but I hear y’all talking about this bundle was $800 and then try to justify it by say “but I have had it in since June” girl bye!
October 18, 2012 1:59 pm
Saying*
October 18, 2012 2:46 pm
I’m not offended–she’s the one making an idiot of herself. I do think it’s funny that she keeps finding (seemingly) random black men to pose with making morons of them too.
Also, where was this fried chicken festival? I want in! LOL
October 18, 2012 2:48 pm
white people are the only race that has enough time to find themselves, she needs to go find a hobbie and retire her awful pout.
October 18, 2012 2:59 pm
this is so sad…the fact that some are trying to equate her behavior to black girls wearing weaves, wigs or relaxing their hair is completely ignorant…it has nothing to do with the afro wig within itself…it has everything to do with the way she is expressing herself while wearing the wig…as if this is the behavior she expects from someone with an afro wig…she’s a moron…
October 18, 2012 3:01 pm
She’s ignorant point blank period. Its not her wearing the afro thats annoying. Its annoying that she feels that because she’s wearing afro she has to act a certain way from the “fried chicken festival” to the gangster poses? I CANT. uugh GET YO LIFE honey
October 18, 2012 3:27 pm
You are right @whatevs, my point that I hear black women all the time trying to act as if they are “better” because of the choice of weave they can afford. I think its ignorant to spend 300 hundred dollars on weave but thats my opinion. I just hate the fact that black people want to put the spotlight on others when we feel they have disrepected our race and we know good and well we have a lot to say about other races and each other.
October 18, 2012 3:32 pm
I would have been fine if her pics weren’t so mocking. They alone paint a very bad picture.
October 18, 2012 3:33 pm
Imitation is the truest form of flattery. Maybe she is expecting her life to be more rich in culture, free in spirit and more defiant against social standards of beauty. Maybe she is trying to get her big break in Hollywood. Maybe she is damn fool. ( Im voting for the latter.) Either way, its pretty amusing that black women are chastised for every part of our being but secretly envied for those same reasons.# team natural# team kninky# team fuck your wig bitch!
October 18, 2012 3:43 pm
This bitch tried it smh
October 18, 2012 3:45 pm
Another s.t.u.p.i.d white person thinking they are funny.
October 18, 2012 4:00 pm
As others have mentioned, I don’t think this is any different from black women walking around with weaves made of Indian hair. Maybe she will “find herself” but I agree she definitely wanted attention and she got it…
October 18, 2012 4:14 pm
Sometimes, I’m ashamed of being a part of white people. How can my ‘race’ (or whatever you’d like to call it) have such a great number of ignorant people?
October 18, 2012 4:22 pm
@reesha…I agree with you on most points…where I veer off from you is the fact that black/brown/yellow people can feel any way and say anything about white people…but at the end of the day…that’s all it is…white people still hold the power in this country and elsewhere…us upholding this ignorance just continues to give them more power…the reason women are running out buying $300 weaves is because they feel there is power in that weave…she doesn’t see any power in that afro…it is just something for her to laugh at and make a mockery of black women…
October 18, 2012 4:49 pm
Haven’t read all the comments but I think this young woman is clueless. I don’t have a problem with her wearing in afro but why does it has ti be costumy? Why is her behavior with the wig a steretypical one? She is not finding herself but making a mockery of the afro because why couldn’t she wear a natural looking afro closer to her real hair/texture? Furthermore would she did all these things prior the afro…most likely not. We black people as a whole need to wake up they are laughing AT US not with us the sooner we realize this the better we can be and make strives to fight and ignore foolishness like this.
October 18, 2012 5:02 pm
I mean I have a natural bush (that looks much better than her fake one might I add) and I am not offended by her wearing the fro. I am more offended by the events she wears the fro too and how she poses and act. Maybe when I run into her I’ll give her a good ole fashion ghetto beat down… then she will truly experience the “black experience”. But i’m sleep doe zzZZZzzzZZzZZzzZ
October 18, 2012 5:26 pm
personally i dont find it offensive – why are we judging how someone else can find themselves? her wanting to experiment with her hair is no different than a boy wanting to wear girl clothing. at the end of the day it shouldnt be that serious because its JUST hair. i didnt get a chance to read all the comments but one of the first ones deeply saddened me & i feel the need to comment. whoever say being white is a privilege” needs to rethink everything theyve been taught that has encouraged them to form such an ignorant opinion. that thought serves directly into the self hate in which this whole expression is causing such an uproar because many black women have had to be re-wired to love themselves as they are naturally aka afro/curly/kinky hair, whatever you want to call it due to being taught their natural state was some how looked down upon. its cliche but i truly hope one day we will all be free from mental slavery & prejudice to express ourselves how our souls feel fit.
October 18, 2012 7:30 pm
White people love to pick and chose what they want from black culture. How about being followed in a store because they think you’re going to steal something ? is gonna give up her taxi when one passes me by because I’m black? No!! All women, not just black wear weave and when they do they don’t make a mockery of a culture.
October 19, 2012 12:13 am
But black women have been wearing straight weaves for ages!!!! What are they tryna look like? White women! Why are we complaining? This is ridiculous! Let her rock the ‘fro!! At least someone who appreciates Afro hair… A lot of black women would never be caught wearing even an afro wig, they want it long and straight like a white woman’s hair… Some black people are so sensitive.. Sheeesh!! SMH!!
October 19, 2012 5:19 am
I’m with Nana ^^
October 19, 2012 9:07 am
@nana after your comment I understand what you are saying, however, this female seems to make a mockery and caricature of “black hair”…she ceases to add any reason as to why she feels the need to wear it to a “FRIED CHICKEN EXTRAVAGANZA” O_O !!!
October 19, 2012 10:12 am
Wow.
October 19, 2012 10:14 am
I dnt understand why it’s offensive when black women straighten their hair all the time. But when ppl with naturally straight hair want to embrace black hair it’s “offensive”. The reason is bc (i mean, really think about it) if you don’t love something about yourself but someone else trys to imitate that thing you don’t love, the your first thought is that they are mocking you.
Women with straight hair actually embrace their straight hair, so it’s not offensive for black women to straighten their hair. I say so what it’s not like she’s walkin around with a fried chicken hangin out her mouth. She probably just likes curly hair but obviously she can never have it. Let her have her moment.
October 20, 2012 2:26 am
To the people commenting about ‘what’s the big deal??’ or ‘just do you!’ or ‘but black people straighten their hair all the time, it’s the same thing..!’
Please, please, please please please pleaaaaase read some of the other comments and you can easily see why it is a big deal and why people think she should stop or at the very least re-examine her outlook.
At the very least, she’s using a shitty, costume afro wig (I know when people are getting tracks/weaves, they’re not buying them from a costume shop) and stereotypically black poses to ‘free herself’ from her (privileged) everyday life, and at worst she’s making light of the struggles that black people, with their natural hair, face when it comes to just trying to live everyday (getting a job, getting that loan from a bank for a new house, going out shopping and getting followed because you ‘look like the type that steals’).
If we don’t nip this shit in the bud right now, it’s only going to get worse
C’mon guys~
October 20, 2012 6:27 am
She came off is if she was mocking black ppl. I don’t think she was trying to be racist, she just doesn’t know better that somethings you do or say come off racist with no ill will intended. White ppl have only had 40+ years in American of being told that their actions toward all ppl of color was wrong, they’re still learning! At the end of the day she can remove the afro wig and go back to socially accepted hair and black women who wear their natural don’t have this choice. Natural hair movement is big now and black women and they are just now saying f@#$ no to the socially accept hair and being empower by wearing their hair natural, and this fool is mocking it.
October 20, 2012 11:24 am
@Lisa I think people are not just saying get over it & that it’s not offensive. Some people are saying that there are racist, dumb, insensitive, etc people all day in this world. Didn’t we all get teased at some point in life? KKK is still doing their thing, skinheads, whoever, but does what they eat make you sh1t? Do they sign your checks? I have a good job that I got with my natural hair, I receive loans from my bank and no one is looking at me sideways when I go shopping. I rocks (yea, rocks) my fro everyday at my corporate job and no one cares. The only people bent out of shape is us. And as for black women wearing straight wigs/weave but white women do the same thing….the difference is the reason you wear it. There are women who wouldn’t be caught dead showing real hair, who’s husbands have nevah evan even seen it. Thats different from just changing up style or adding a track for fullness. Black women haven’t seen their real hair since age 9! It’s only a big deal because of exactly what Morg said, you can claim it’s about manageability and all that other BS, but they’re talking about something you don’t love, your natural hair and that’s the bottom line.
October 20, 2012 10:45 pm
The survey results say that more than 80% of those responding find it absolutely offensive. By this standard it is acceptable for women with naturally straight hair to be offended when black women straighten their hair, wear wigs or weaves. Was there similar dialogue and outrage when Bo Derek featured cornrows in the movie “10″? Can we have it both ways?
October 21, 2012 12:36 pm
I’m NOT understanding why in her search for herself she has NOT decided to wear her own hair. She wears it to feel comfortable/ gain acceptance from the black people at events. Crazy is more like it. Black people are some of the most accepting people, if you approach us genuinely. Would it have been so HARD or tasking to try to gain our affection, appreciation and companionship by just being herself? Race relations in this place we call AMERICA…
October 21, 2012 7:14 pm
Many days late but as a person who identifies as black/african american, I’m not sure why a lot of you are offended. She probably means no harm.
YOU WEAR INDIAN WEAVE, you see your indian friends complaining? Please sit. Everyone wants to be mad about something. F*cking americans.
January 7, 2013 3:35 pm
i’ll say harmless fun. We Africans are allowed to rock their silky hair, why can’t they rock our kinky hair. It’s nice that we have something she wants to copy…you guys need to stop being soooo obtuse. I applaud her for trying that but she looks absolutely hilarious.