Comments on: Getting Back in the Saddle

By: tiff

tiff — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 23:53:14 +0000

damn…i hate the word the ethnic.

i think its great that this topic is covered in mainstream media but its sad to see at the same time.
their saying accept it because it’ll make black women healthier instead of black women have the right to be themselves.

i have had a fro now i have locs and no career choice would make me alter it.

By: Marilise

Marilise — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 16:04:10 +0000

I loved that video segment. I do think parts of it were unnecessary, i.e. the reporter’s “let me know what you think and I’ll let that affect what I choose to do with my hair” bit.

I know women in my own family who regularly skip exercise because they have just done a roller set or a blow-out and don’t want to sweat it out. Sad, but reality.

To get angry that people are airing a story like this, to pretend this is NOT an issue affecting women of color today is to be in denial of a serious problem. Stories like this are important and it’s refreshing to see news reports devoting time to it.

What was missing from the news report was at least one woman in corporate America who wears her hair naturally simply because that’s how she likes to wear it, as opposed to women saying “I would never wear it like this at work” and “I retired before I started wearing it like this.”

By: Andy

Andy — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 13:38:04 +0000

I work for Corporate America and I am natural. I have come to work in a curly fro to braids cornrows and various styles. I have not felt any pressure to be relaxed, flat ironed or anything. I see now in this environment as I work in a bank on the trading floor with tons of trader’s men and woman that many are natural with locs, twist and everything and no one says anything. There are even management here that are sporting locs and twists. This is New York City so who knows that may be a difference I have no idea.

I exercise 4 days a week and have no real issues with having natural hair, when I did have a chem process I was still going to the gym as well.

I do hear woman say though that their hair does limit them so it is said, but I hear that from all woman not just ethnic woman.

I did like the segment, I think we as woman are moving past this as most woman I talk to that go natural love their texture and feel that they much happy and their hair looks better. So to each is own, so thanks for sharing

By: Nishawn

Nishawn — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 21:06:54 +0000

Hi Ladies,

I found a link where people are commenting about this change in hair style. Ms. Robinson also explains some of her word choices as it pertains to her field specifically. I too was embarassed as I watched the video. It seems women of color have more work to do in loving ourselves just as we are created.

http://community.myfoxwfld.com/_My-Hair/BLOG/236901/36298.html?as=36298

By: tlady03

tlady03 — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 07:21:53 +0000

I worked in a local news station and I was afraid to wear my hair. I had a weave the entire internship. That news clip was awesome and inspiring!

By: Pearlsrevealed

Pearlsrevealed — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 20:23:41 +0000

@ Ree
Hair that has not been chemically (relaxed) or mechanically (hot comb/ flat iron) altered is said to be natural. The reporters hair was natural because that is her natural, God-given hair with a straw set. Her hair had not been straightened with a flat ironed as usual and no chemicals were used to achieve the curls.

I don’t know why people think that nappy or excessively curly/ 4c hair is “natural” and more loosely curled hair is NOT natural. SMH.

By: Ree

Ree — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 17:42:31 +0000

About the Fox story….I’m disappointed in the way the anchorwoman, Robin, handled the story. First of all, she was not wearing her hair in a natural state, so I don’t understand why she was asking others to approve or disapprove of her hair. Her hair was simply curly, not natural. Second, she seemed so unsure of herself and uncomfortable with the way she looked. I get the fact that you normally don’t see Black anchorwomen with natural styles, but hers wasn’t natural. I was offended that she was trying to pass her curly hairstyle off as natural and that she thought to ask the audience which style had a more professional look – straight or curly.

Anyway, I’ve been natural 8 months and I love it. In the past, my relaxed hair was most definitely a deterrant to me working out – it just didn’t happen because I didn’t have money to get it done one day and sweat it out the very next day. I feel such freedom with natural hair and it’s the best decision I’ve made in a long time. Forget the stares. It only matters that I love it and if I hold my head up, project confidence, and dress the part, others will simply have to take notice and get used to it.

By: Pearlsrevealed

Pearlsrevealed — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 07:27:11 +0000

So, what type of feedback did the reporter get on that Fow website?

By: Cocoa Fly

Cocoa Fly — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 07:19:43 +0000

Good story on the hair. I have not been to the gym in the last week but I’ll hit the treadmill.

By: curlycrown

curlycrown — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 03:49:15 +0000

Loved the video. I just went natural in Nov 2008 after wearing a weave for 6 months. Prior to that I faithfully relaxed my hair under the delusion that it was what I had to do to fit in in my profession. I am an attorney. Since cutting my hair and going natural, I get MORE compliments on my hair at work and in general. I went natural because I was tired of the maintenance and I wanted to start exercising regularly. Now my hair is healthier and my body is getting healthier as well. No more excuses for me about sweating out my ‘do and I love my natural hair!!!