It is a daily struggle for Afrikan Americans in the topic of hair, and acceptance. Women especially are often reminded that their hair is socially unacceptable, which many know to be false, but through entertainment and media that false-hood does not exist, only “their truth”, and “their truth” is, coarse hair, thick hair, hair that is not straight and resembling a white blonde woman is not “good hair”. Needless to say, hair jokes towards the Afrikan community is an extremely hot topic, and a sensitive one.
So, if a white woman on national television speaks i’ll of an Afrikan womans hair …it’s sure to cause some uproar around the nation.
Zendaya was recently spotted at the Oscars looking absolutely stunning with her flowing 
locs. After hearing she was viewed as if her hair was a weed scented, patchouli oil smelling disaster, Zendaya quickly defended herself by posting a lengthy message on Instagram (read here) and not long afterwards, her idol, India Arie, whom she quoted in her message stating the song India wrote “I Am Not My Hair”, had this to say:
I wanted to jump in and defend Zendaya – but she’s doing that BEAUTIFULLY herself.
VERY. WELL. DONE. It’s a powerful thing to be a TEENAGER in the public eye, and feel empowered to speak up in your own defense. STUNNING!In my opinion, Entitlement in and of itself, BLINDS people to that very entitlement … THUS allowing the behavior exhibited.
I’m not calling Giuliana Rancic a RACIST, .. but OF COURSE it has to do with RACE. To say it has “Nothing to do with race” .. THAT’S why people get mad.
But lets remember HOW difficult it is for a person of Gullianna Ranci’s social context to really UNDERSTAND how we see race in this issue. How race is a pervasive ISSUE in the entertainment industries as a whole.
We need more more compassion in this world. Period
So I’m not MAD at Giuliana Rancic I’m SAD at her. I’m Sad that things LIKE THIS keep happening.
Im sad that theres an actual form of entertainment where people are excused to be snarky and unkind, thats the REAL issue.
What I’m baffled by is how we put people in boxes SO easily. Calling it “Boho Chic” Doesn’t ACTUALLY make it more decent to say. “She looks like she smells like Patchouli Oil … or Weed” LOL! mmmmmm REALLY?
It’s offensive. It has a racist edge. but also it’s also just off base. WAY off base.
THIS is why people are mad.
I love you Zendaya. READ MORE HERE
And this is why we love India Arie, a staple of strong music, uplifting music, and a voice that reaches far beyond her melodies, I couldn’t have said it better myself!
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