Tuesday, August 08, 2006

Barbara's Dim View Of Black Hair

In today's column, I explain why you don't mess with a black woman's hair.

I've concluded that The View's Barbara Walters was ignorant to that fact after watching video clips of her picking and poking at guest host Brandy and tugging at Tanika Ray's hair like she was pulling weeds in a garden.

And Barbara? Maybe it's not a wise thing to call Mo'Nique's kids "creatures" either.

9 Comments:

Blogger Mocha said...

Barbara needs a beat down. I'm just the woman to do it, too.

6:44 PM  
Blogger Annette John-Hall said...

Mocha,

I know that's right!

Make sure you read the column tomorrow. I incorporated bits of our poolside/podcast conversation.

7:06 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Why would any self-respecting Black woman subject themselves to this ignorant pack of jackals? I don't watch the show, and after hearing about Star Jones' experience with Waters I thought the show sounded Black unfriendly. Now I know it is. Has BaaBaa Waawaa gone senile or what?

5:58 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank you for a great column. I have been waiting for someone to address this issue. I watch The View nearly everyday and, for the most part, I enjoy some of the talk and guests and at other times I am just amazed. I think Meredith Vieira actually smoothed over many awkward moments in the past. Ever since it was pointed out in the media that Barbara compromised her integrity by offering to lie for Star--who chose to be honest--I think Barbara seems a bit shaken and out of her depth. Amazing for someone of her "stature". By the way, one day Elisabeth Hasselbeck asked Meryl Streep a really silly question and was rewarded with a glacial stare. Meryl recovered and responded graciously but I saw her inner feeling. By the way, I like the image of Naomi Campbell on The View!!!! And Sheryl Lee Ralph would be great.

8:08 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for addressing this issue. I think it's disgusting how these beautiful and talented women have been treated on this show. They really are treated like lab rats. I also think it's disgusting that Barbara is so blatenly trying to replace the TOKEN on her panel. I am greatly offended by this. I mean, what happens if they come up with more than one "eloquent, educated" (these are words that White People use to refer to me) Black person - will she pick between the two just because she doesn't want TOO MUCH COLOR on the set???

8:45 AM  
Blogger Fizzle said...

Yeah, I blogged about that, too, but your column said it all:

"Historically, African Americans have endured dehumanization since the days of chattel slavery, when the auctioneer would pry open the mouth of the "buck" to check the bite and lift up the skirt of the "wench" to showcase her thigh muscles.

Walters' poking and prodding at Brandy and Ray on national television not only harks back to that time but gives permission for such behavior to continue."

Go Annette. That's the truest reading of the situation I've read so far.

4:06 PM  
Blogger Mocha said...

Annette, did you find that podcast? I lost her card and can't remember the name of the show! Isn't that terrible? Such wonderful things were said that I wanted to relive it. I also wanted to hear how silly I sounded.

Give a holler if you can find it, would you? I love your writing. I'm jealous.

5:24 PM  
Blogger Annette John-Hall said...

Mocha, Fizz: My girls! Thanks for the love. I love y'all.

Mocha, I have that card for Ponzi (not Fonzi huh, Fizz) in the office. I'll send you the info tomorrow.

5:41 PM  
Blogger Jennifer said...

I was going to write you an email, but YAY! BLOGGER!

I was the black kid (read: THE black kid) from grades 7-12, and I can't tell you how many teachers, students, parents, and other melanin-deficient people felt my hair was some kind of touch and rub craft! I had a teacher actually ask me if my hair GREW "that way". It was in braids! Just a few months ago, I had a white girl call me "Poodle Head", digging in my hair and giggling, and she did not understand why I wanted her grubby hands out of my head. (I would've slapped her, but she's a black belt, and I'm only a green belt. Mama didn't raise no fool!)

The worst part is, when you try to explain it to people like Baba Wawa, they'll immediately dismiss you in their minds:

"Well, me and my friends..."
"Well, I didn't MEAN..."
"Why is it such..."
"It's no big DEAL!"

*sigh!*

1:19 PM  

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