Tyra, Chris, and Good Hair; They Got It Wrong!

Growing up in the deep south, where the national average of  85% of Black American homes are run by single mothers, I can tell you, it's no wonder why Chris Rock's movie "Good Hair" flopped across the country.  For any woman growing up black, and particularly in the south, getting perms/relaxers, hot comb treatments, braids, or even pony tails seemed to be an often painful right of passage for most little girls.  It wasn't until both Tyra Banks and Chris Rock brought attention to the confusion surrounding black hair through their individual media renditions; Good Hair and TheTyra Bank Show respectively, that the conversation is now openly on the table for mainstream America to discuss, and hopfully come to real resolve and understanding. It was in an interview Tyra had with Larry King and the movie "Good Hair" that I say, despite their efforts, Chirs Rock and Tyra Banks got it wrong on this one!
Tyra's collection of hair shows addresses deep rooted issues in the black community, and bring light to many sadden truths of how, not only black women, but women in general identify themselves through their hair.  After the two shows on hair aired, one where she reveals her hair without weave, Banks appears on Larry King to promote her "Beauty Inside and Out" Campaign, for her new online magazine. It was in this interview that Tyra got it wrong!
Stating that her now natural hair was much harder to take care than the synthetic hair.  Okay, I recented the comment only because she wasn't even natural to speak on it. Tyra Banks is going natural.  Her hair is still fried and dyed.  Reminding me of a segment form the Colored Museum by George C. Wolfe entitled, The Hairpiece.  She's in the "in-between" stage of her natural process.  It's simply new to her.  The difference is the journey and the knowledge you learn about the maintanece of taking care of something organic v.s. synthetic. I simply recented the Larry King commnent only because she was so well versed in how she'd lost 30lbs through watching what she eats and healthy portions.  But that's because she's gone through the continuous two-year journey of healthy eating. It would be difficult however to anyone it was new to.  Just as maintaining her newly grown scalp of partially permed hair is.  I wish her comments would have been more like her comments about health, when she says, "Its about working with what you've got, and knowing and learning what's right for your body." I'd have to agree, every woman is different. Every hair texture is different also.  Therefore, I believe, "It's about working with what you've got, and knowing and learning what's right for your hair!" My encouragement to Tyra is to understand that, the best parts of an individual are their natural parts. And that what she displayed before the world was NOT natural, but chemically manipulated hair that was permed and dyed. However, I commend her on the step closer toward true liberation. NO WEAVE! Now rock a fro or get a silk out; it'll still be stright then.

As for Chris Rock, he documents the unfortunate demise of his own people through comedy and satire, which later proves not so funny at the box office. In order to find the answer to his daughters question, "Daddy, why don't I have good hair?", Chris Rock set out on a global misson to find out why.  Without watching the movie, I'd have to say he could have saved money and time by explaining to his daughter that when it comes to hair HE is the weakess link, or the most durable depending on how you look at it.  Instead he decided to defer the confusion or the question to the population that he believed most influenced his daughter. The unfortunate concern is weather Chris learned and understood that HIS opinion is what mattered most to his daughter.  And the woman he married is a reflection of the beauty he beholds.  Sounds like he has some explaining to do to his daughter about what kind of hair he prefers in a woman. I wonder did he explain to his daughter that hair outside of its natural state is hair that has been manipulated for mostly assimilation, and sometimes selfhate, and unhealthy traditions.  I wonder does he connect the dots, and see the result of not having an answer to give his daughter when Mama Rock rocks the weave and partakes in the creamy crack, and daddy finds it funny and profitable that black women would rather do the Joy Bryant, and proclaim themselves as WEAVEAHOLICS.  But that's another show. This time Chris Rock, got it wrong! 

But we can still get it right!  That's right YOU and I can work together to reduce global climate change.  Another goal of JBird's word is not just speak knowledge but act on it.

Join the movement.  Scientists say that 350 parts per million CO2 (Carbon) in the atmosphere is the safe limit for humanity.  We are currently at 387 parts per million.  Let's REDUCE the global cardon levels and get healthy together.  Check back every show for a new recipe.  This recipe is the one my carnivorous sweetie cooked tonight for dinner. He added turkey sausage to the side for a little meat for himself.

I call it ...
III's Veggie Lasagna

Ingredients
Pasta, Maarinara, 4 or 5 Cheese Blend, Ricotta Cheese (1 egg mixed and salt and pepper), Spinach, Mushrooms, Olives, salt & pepper to taste.

Instructions
Butter bottom and sides of baking pan.
Cook pasta at boiling temp for 10min.
Cool pasta in an ice bath.

Build III layers as you like alternating between your three vegetables.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Cover dish with foil.
Bake for one hour.  When the cheese has melted, take your lasagna out of the oven and let cool for about 15 min. before cutting.

Cut in desired sqaure sizes, top III's Veggie Lasagna with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.  Sweet Peas, carrots, or corn would be great sides to this dish.  And don't forget the garlic bread.  My fav!   Enjoy, then tell me what you think!

Thanks sweetie the lasagna was chhheeesssyyy, and sooooo good! 

You can join JBird at BlogTalkRadio by calling (347) 857-4566 and weigh in on the conversation or leave a comment about what you think about this topic.

Peace &  Love
JBird

With Chris Rock's' newest and most anticipated documentary on the black hair industry, set for release in October, the conversation about black women and their hair grows. From CNN, the world's most watch news broadcaste to the Tyra Banks show, a super model who contributes to the $9 billion Korean dominated industry, the conversation forces black families to reevaluate how we spend our American dollars, who's stores we spend our dollars in, and why we spend the time and money transforming our natural hair state in the first place.Meanwhile, China, Korea, and India continue to benefit, and collect their share of the dollars from an industry once dominated by black women.
Here's the question, when and how are Black Americans going to take back the Black Hair Care Industry, or is it simply too late? You can join me and the conversation @ BlogTalkRadio, on JBirdsWord, Saturday at 2P. To drop your word, simply dial, (347)857-4566.

JBird's Word: Ain't I A Woman?

Earlier this afternoon as I pulled up to the neighborhood convienience store to pick up a ginger ale to aid my stomach, a truch load of utility workers as printed on their backs, herded toward the entrance. Getting caught up in the traffic, a middle-aged Latina guy walked through the door and pulled it closed on me. Witnessing this, his Latina elder went about getting the door opened for me, however by this time I was walking into the entrance behind the closed door.



JBird's Word:

What happened to chivalry? Or does that not apply to black women in America? Ain't I a woman too? In the past on my quest to "teach" black men how not treat me and my chocolate sisters via the snake calls, hisses, and hey shawty, baby, or ma, depending on what city we find ourselves, I forgot about the rest of the world that acts as if I'm not there, or that I'm not do the same respect as their mothers and sisters.
My response to this incident was simply to pause, open the door and thank the elder Latin, in hopes of not being the "angry black woman". However, I feel the need to express my right to any man, Black, Latina, or White, to treat women with a bit of chivalry. It's kinda like us laughing at your jokes, or not nagging you when you are wrong, or saying "Thank You" with a smile when you show nice gesters.
The next missed opportunity for a man to open the door for me, will not let ignorance or disrespect provail. I will politely and respectfully inform him of his misguided actions.

Welcome to JBird's Word.

Just voicing my opinion on some of the most absurd moments in time with the hopes of making the world a better place along the way. I am your hostess JBird, giving my colorful word and sassy, "do folks right", most often femenist perspective, concerning pertinent issues facing our generation today spanning from our troops serving in the the newest war against terror to raising a family; not to mention the latest in entertainment. With more of an urgency now, and more than ever before, there is a need for us as a human race combat global climate change, us as Americans to disenegrate racism, and us as a people to no longer except mediocrity. My goal for this blog is to educate, inform, and entertain audiences through open dialogue on human relations, politics, culture, and art, while encouraging a since of awareness and understanding toward the urgency of our generation's collective and individual call to action. No matter what the issue!