WHAT IN THE HAIR IS GOING ON…?
There are so many realms to this argument, but I promise to try to stick to one; or two...
So Hampton University’s School of Business has banned their students from wearing locs, braids or cornrows. HU, if you didn’t know, is one of the oldest historically African-American institutions of higher learning (HBCU). People are quite upset, throwing around statements such as, “they are encouraging self-hatred.”
No, we have done a good job of that all by ourselves...
One of the many reasons the African American community, in general, has come to such a pass is accountability—or the lack thereof. People are afraid to hold each other accountable. When my Mom was a girl, it was nothing to get a whipping or chastisement from a non-family member and still get the same punishment when you arrived home. Today, not so much…
Constantly, we see our young people looking, for a lack of a more suitable term, a burning hot ghetto mess. But we say nothing. Pants sagging, three-week-old cornrows, weave that is holding onto consciousness, damn near comatose and locs that look like wildlife is growing in them. What in the hair is going on here?
Furthermore, a lot of us in our 30’s, 40’s and even 50’s have not shown our children, nieces, nephews, etc. that if you cannot fully commit to a style, keeping it looking fresh on a bi-weekly basis, you need to leave-it-alone. End of discussion. We must teach them that neatness and cleanliness is not only next to Godliness, it can mean the difference in getting hired or not.
At the end of the day, HU’s new requirement is not about conforming, assimilation or stifling the African-American culture. It’s about teaching our children, that if you want it, you have got to be better than the next applicant, who is probably hue-challenged (i.e., a person of non-color). So your locs, your afro, your cornrows, your weave, your wig, or your whatever, has GOT to be tight.
I do hope that one day, HU lifts this ban. But for now, because a lot of our people are walking around looking some kind of crazy, it is necessary. And I support it.
I am reminded of that scenario from, Barbershop. Lamar who is always broke, yet constantly hustling a free haircut, has a job interview. He has on a suit and tie, but his hair is clearly in need of maintenance. Lamar makes a simple request to Calvin (portrayed by Ice Cube), the owner and head barber who inherited the Chicago shop from his father, Calvin Sr. “I-need-a-cut. A-little-off-the-top, long-in-the-back, but-not-quite-no-shag, (throwing in gestures) sloped-to-the-left-like-Gumby, Eddie-Munster-in-the-front, and a-little-Wyclef-on-the-right—come on, hook that up for me.”
Unfortunately, Lamar “steals” said haircut from Calvin, running out of the door without paying him. However, he returns later that day, pays Calvin for the cut, apologizes and thanks him. Lamar shares with Calvin that he knew he was qualified for the job, but the haircut was crucial—he wanted the edge of looking his best. Moreover, landing the job means Lamar keeps custody of his child. Throughout most of the film, Calvin contemplates selling the shop because he deems it no longer profitable or a viable part of the community. This conversation, plus a few other significant twists in the plot convince him otherwise.
HU’s hair requirement for their Business students says, “Yes, there is some schooling that (still) needs to be done and it starts right hair…!”
26 August 2012
02 August 2012
HARD LIFE LESSON #101
(Or Why Ann Curry Is Saying, “Damn, Damn, Damn…!”)
As the world turns colder and crueler, each and every day, we learn why EnVogue crooned the lyrics, “…love don’t love you, love don’t care!” An obscure cut for the Funky Divas that resonates with me every time I hear of someone getting stomped on by, “the man.” Such is the case with Ann Curry and NBC. About a month ago, the network yanked Curry from her co-anchor spot on the Today Show—which is as American as apple pie. Her new title: Anchor-at-Large. Not necessarily a demotion, but undeniably a degrading lateral move. She was paid $10 million, no doubt to avoid a lawsuit, but probably more so to ease the network execs’ conscious.
There are a few proverbial elephants in the room. First, and sadly, NBC humiliated her with their hap-hazard handling of the situation. And while the leak, the rumors, lack of a proper final broadcast, etc., were probably not done on purpose, there is no question they treated her like a $2 whore. Or in this case, a $10 Million whore. The level of humiliation here even disallows the term, “call girl.”
Although I deem Ann an excellent journalist, who has no problem going anywhere to bring the real story to us, she was reaching. Yes, “reaching.” She had two big sets of shoes to fill—Katie Couric, America’s sweetheart and Meredith Vieira, tough as nails, but still a passionate journalist. There were some interesting online comments regarding Ann’s dismissal; one thing that struck me but is admittedly true—Ann is “quiet.” To quote a commenter, “she whispered too much!” Moreover, in a June interview with Ladies Home Journal, Curry admitted that she, “sometimes doesn’t know her worth.” She continues that she meant that personally, not professionally. I don’t believe that Ann meant personally, and I don’t think she believes that either.
Furthermore, take a look at the careers of Couric, Vieira and Robin Roberts. These women diversified their talents and skills wherever possible. In the African-American culture, we call this, “getting your hustle on.” That is, work the day job, but have something on the side to fall back on, “just in case.” Ann’s bio reads straight, company stuff with no interests or goals outside of work. Huge mistake; when you lack additional outlets or do not expand your horizons beyond “work” and the powers-that-be decide to cut you, your ass is twisting in the wind with a $10 million check tucked in your G-string. However, having a side hustle makes you more visible and more marketable—the boss thinks twice about letting you go.
Lastly, while this country was, in fact, ready for an African-American president, it is not ready for a Today show host who is, well, mixed. Curry is a descendent of few distinctive heritages. I can dig it, but an honest survey of Today show viewers might not feel the same. Not saying she was fired because of her mixed ethnicity, but I’m not saying she wasn’t, either. Howsonever, when Al Roker joined the Today crew several years ago, NBC apparently deemed him talented, competent and “all the window dressing” that they need.
Two examples for Ann to marinate on: Chris Spencer and Vanessa Williams. In ’97, UPN hires Chris Spencer, an up and coming comedian, writer and author, to host the late night show, “Vibe (the network’s answer to Arsenio Hall).” After 6 weeks, Spencer was unceremoniously fired. A few weeks later, Chris whines about it in Jet Magazine. Fourteen years later, people ask, “Chris, who?” In 1984, Vanessa Williams, however, was disgraced when scandalous nude photos she took in college surfaced forcing her to relinquish her Miss America title. Diva Williams did not crawl up in a hole and die—she went to work! Now Ms. Thang writes her own ticket.
And if that is not enough for Curry, she need only ask Deborah Norville—if she can find her.
My heart goes out to Ann, but I have a message for her: get your shit together! It’s been a minute and it’s time to declare the Pity Party over. Get up, write a book (or two), teach a class, surround yourself with the right people, get a side hustle and diversify your damn self.
(Or Why Ann Curry Is Saying, “Damn, Damn, Damn…!”)
As the world turns colder and crueler, each and every day, we learn why EnVogue crooned the lyrics, “…love don’t love you, love don’t care!” An obscure cut for the Funky Divas that resonates with me every time I hear of someone getting stomped on by, “the man.” Such is the case with Ann Curry and NBC. About a month ago, the network yanked Curry from her co-anchor spot on the Today Show—which is as American as apple pie. Her new title: Anchor-at-Large. Not necessarily a demotion, but undeniably a degrading lateral move. She was paid $10 million, no doubt to avoid a lawsuit, but probably more so to ease the network execs’ conscious.
There are a few proverbial elephants in the room. First, and sadly, NBC humiliated her with their hap-hazard handling of the situation. And while the leak, the rumors, lack of a proper final broadcast, etc., were probably not done on purpose, there is no question they treated her like a $2 whore. Or in this case, a $10 Million whore. The level of humiliation here even disallows the term, “call girl.”
Although I deem Ann an excellent journalist, who has no problem going anywhere to bring the real story to us, she was reaching. Yes, “reaching.” She had two big sets of shoes to fill—Katie Couric, America’s sweetheart and Meredith Vieira, tough as nails, but still a passionate journalist. There were some interesting online comments regarding Ann’s dismissal; one thing that struck me but is admittedly true—Ann is “quiet.” To quote a commenter, “she whispered too much!” Moreover, in a June interview with Ladies Home Journal, Curry admitted that she, “sometimes doesn’t know her worth.” She continues that she meant that personally, not professionally. I don’t believe that Ann meant personally, and I don’t think she believes that either.
Furthermore, take a look at the careers of Couric, Vieira and Robin Roberts. These women diversified their talents and skills wherever possible. In the African-American culture, we call this, “getting your hustle on.” That is, work the day job, but have something on the side to fall back on, “just in case.” Ann’s bio reads straight, company stuff with no interests or goals outside of work. Huge mistake; when you lack additional outlets or do not expand your horizons beyond “work” and the powers-that-be decide to cut you, your ass is twisting in the wind with a $10 million check tucked in your G-string. However, having a side hustle makes you more visible and more marketable—the boss thinks twice about letting you go.
Lastly, while this country was, in fact, ready for an African-American president, it is not ready for a Today show host who is, well, mixed. Curry is a descendent of few distinctive heritages. I can dig it, but an honest survey of Today show viewers might not feel the same. Not saying she was fired because of her mixed ethnicity, but I’m not saying she wasn’t, either. Howsonever, when Al Roker joined the Today crew several years ago, NBC apparently deemed him talented, competent and “all the window dressing” that they need.
Two examples for Ann to marinate on: Chris Spencer and Vanessa Williams. In ’97, UPN hires Chris Spencer, an up and coming comedian, writer and author, to host the late night show, “Vibe (the network’s answer to Arsenio Hall).” After 6 weeks, Spencer was unceremoniously fired. A few weeks later, Chris whines about it in Jet Magazine. Fourteen years later, people ask, “Chris, who?” In 1984, Vanessa Williams, however, was disgraced when scandalous nude photos she took in college surfaced forcing her to relinquish her Miss America title. Diva Williams did not crawl up in a hole and die—she went to work! Now Ms. Thang writes her own ticket.
And if that is not enough for Curry, she need only ask Deborah Norville—if she can find her.
My heart goes out to Ann, but I have a message for her: get your shit together! It’s been a minute and it’s time to declare the Pity Party over. Get up, write a book (or two), teach a class, surround yourself with the right people, get a side hustle and diversify your damn self.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)