And what would you say to these three ethnic women that agree with Babs and/or think Whoopi got it wring?
http://jezebel.com/5376413/barbara-walters-is-confused-about-good-hair
"I think Whoopi is over simplifying the issue. It's not "just" about it being more manageable. As an african american woman who does not relax my hair, but does use heat to get it straight, I will admit that the relaxer was easier. BUT, you can't just ignore the fact that we live in a society where the standard of beauty is white with straight hair. So now, I don't want to look "like a white person" but I do want to be recognized as attractive in a society that says straight hair (and white hair) is the ideal."
and
"I think Whoopi has it all wrong. Altering the texture of our Black hair does NOT make it more "manageable". It is for cosmetic reasons. She has dreads, for god's sake. What could be easier?
While Black women may not *necessarily* want to look White, there is an element of emulation there whether she wants to admit it or not. Sorry, but that's where our societies standard of beauty is, currently.
Since I stopped straightening my hair about, oh, seven years ago, I have gained so much time, in the mornings and saved so much money (you need to get relaxers "touched up" every few weeks, or get your non-chemically straightened hair pressed even more regularly...and that shit costs bank!)"
and
"I also think there is a complicated social and cultural issue here. We don't live in a vacuum, and a lot of the time women don't do things because they're easier or more comfortable, but because we have been told that it's what makes us look best (see: wearing heels, wearing excessive make-up, etc.). Hair is part of our appearance, and it's no surprise that some of us would also want to have stick straight hair because it's just considered more desirable."
Even Chris Rick said the answer was "all if the above" and he did not dismiss Babs' beliefs as false.
Why aren't all AA men also straightening their hair if maintenance is the issue? Or why aren't AA women keeping their hair short and natural if maintenance is really the issue? And what of AAs that wear blue or green contact lenses? Is that a maintenance issue too? No. It's because people want to look like the accepted ideal of beauty. Admitting that seems to be difficult for some people.
http://jezebel.com/5376413/barbara-walters-is-confused-about-good-hair
"I think Whoopi is over simplifying the issue. It's not "just" about it being more manageable. As an african american woman who does not relax my hair, but does use heat to get it straight, I will admit that the relaxer was easier. BUT, you can't just ignore the fact that we live in a society where the standard of beauty is white with straight hair. So now, I don't want to look "like a white person" but I do want to be recognized as attractive in a society that says straight hair (and white hair) is the ideal."
and
"I think Whoopi has it all wrong. Altering the texture of our Black hair does NOT make it more "manageable". It is for cosmetic reasons. She has dreads, for god's sake. What could be easier?
While Black women may not *necessarily* want to look White, there is an element of emulation there whether she wants to admit it or not. Sorry, but that's where our societies standard of beauty is, currently.
Since I stopped straightening my hair about, oh, seven years ago, I have gained so much time, in the mornings and saved so much money (you need to get relaxers "touched up" every few weeks, or get your non-chemically straightened hair pressed even more regularly...and that shit costs bank!)"
and
"I also think there is a complicated social and cultural issue here. We don't live in a vacuum, and a lot of the time women don't do things because they're easier or more comfortable, but because we have been told that it's what makes us look best (see: wearing heels, wearing excessive make-up, etc.). Hair is part of our appearance, and it's no surprise that some of us would also want to have stick straight hair because it's just considered more desirable."
Even Chris Rick said the answer was "all if the above" and he did not dismiss Babs' beliefs as false.
Why aren't all AA men also straightening their hair if maintenance is the issue? Or why aren't AA women keeping their hair short and natural if maintenance is really the issue? And what of AAs that wear blue or green contact lenses? Is that a maintenance issue too? No. It's because people want to look like the accepted ideal of beauty. Admitting that seems to be difficult for some people.
Um WTF Whoopi,
wouldn't that bug everyone?
