21 Responses to “some friday afternoon fun…”

1. 

   Afro Girl 20 February 2009 at 6:34 pm Permalink

   I agree. I actually used to think that was her real hair and when I thought about it, I realized there was no way it could be since I’ve seen her TWA. . . and no one’s hair grows that fast. lol. How ever disappointing it may be, I guess it’s just a part of her image – sort of the character she plays. I sure hope I can get my real hair to be as big as that wig she wears one day.

   Reply
2. 

   SacredAngel 20 February 2009 at 6:36 pm Permalink

   I have nothing against people buying their hair. I just want them to be upfront about it so that people have a realistic idea about their hair.

   Reply
3. 

   Black girl with long hair 20 February 2009 at 6:42 pm Permalink

   @ everyone… okay, i want to jump in real quick. i have nothing against the fact that she wears a wig. i love the aesthetic… i think it’s beautiful. but i think i’m just disappointed that the wig apparently symbolizes her belief that her real ‘nappy’ hair can’t “hang down to her shoulders”. i mean, i respect erykah in a lot of ways… but this is just disappointing and another example of how clueless black women are, generally speaking, when it comes to their hair.

   Reply
4. 

   The Notorious Z.A.G. 20 February 2009 at 7:01 pm Permalink

   I never knew E.Badu prided herself in being the queen of all things natural. With that being said, knowledge of self, truth and wisdom (which are all the reasons I do Love Erykah) has very little to do with knowing how to take care of your hair. People assume that just because you wear your hair a certain way that you live your life a certain way, which is definitely not the case. To quote Andre 3000, “Is every n***a with dreads for the cause? Is every n***a with gold for the fall? Naw, so don’t get caught up in appearance…”
   Personally I care more about the fact that Ms. Badu recognizes,speaks out about, and dedicates her craft to the ills of Black Folk than the fact that she doesn’t know how to deep condition…

   Reply
5. 

   Nola.Divine 20 February 2009 at 7:07 pm Permalink

   @BGLH….thats exactly why I love your blog! Because a lot of us ARE clueless! But you’re helping to set the record straight. I rocked a big wig for months and loved it! I’ve also tried blowing my own hair out (empahisis on tried)…Lol. See here:
   http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ElpxPY96sR1bodyr1oo_ow?feat=directlink

   Reply
6. 

   FlowerChild 20 February 2009 at 7:10 pm Permalink

   I don’t think she’s saying that she doesn’t think her hair can grow. I think it’s her way of poking fun at people who really think it can’t grow long.

   I don’t think she has ever tried to take care of her hair. It’s a lot easier to have a twa and put on a wig than it is to co-wash, moisturize, seal, etc etc etc.

   @sacredangel – I’ve never heard of her claiming that it was her hair. She’s even done concerts where she took the wig off mid performance. I don’t think people have to go around making formal statements about their hair. If she didn’t try to intentionally deceive anyone then that’s her business.

   Reply
7. 

   Hijabi Apprentice 20 February 2009 at 7:51 pm Permalink

   I think we hold the “natural” entertainers to a much higher standard than we hold the more commercial entertainers. Yes she rocks wigs but at least they are not blond, long and straight. Perhaps her wigs and such are simply a part of her stage persona. Who knows. Also, I’m not one to take song lyrics too seriously. I think she is a beautiful sister and I fancy her music :).

   Reply
8. 

   jenteel 20 February 2009 at 8:21 pm Permalink

   huge erykah fan checkin in!
   let’s remember that this post is called “some friday afternoon fun…” :)

   i love erykah for what she stands for, for speaking out and for the fact that she doesn’t give a ish what anyone thinks of her. i think she wears wigs for fun and it matches her colorful personality. i don’t think she “loses points” b/c of it.

   however, it is interesting to note how even with access to the best hairstylists, nappy celebrities don’t seem to know much about how to take care of their hair – just like the rest of us. it permeates our society. i don’t hold celebrities at a higher standard but they do have better resources most of the time. without the extensions, most of their hair looks dry. it’s just an observation. it would just be nice to see some with their own hair as an example. you may think it’s their hair, but a lot of times it’s not. you would be amazed at the weave textures they are coming out with nowadays. that’s why i stand by my belief that hair care is basic. there is no wonder product – it’s about knowledge.

   i tried to think of some nappy celebrities and i couldn’t think of many who don’t wear extensions consistently except for ledisi, goapele, janelle and amel.

   Reply
9. 

   Jc 20 February 2009 at 8:48 pm Permalink

   I never thought my hair would get to my shoulders nevermind pass that and keep growing!!

   Natural hair is still shrouded in mystery and not everyone knows that it can and does grow.

   I’m not an Erykah music fan (except Tyrone which was hilarious!!). She perhaps does sing what she thinks/been told as so many others do, just perhaps without the spotlight on.

   Reply
10. 

    LuvDeluxe 20 February 2009 at 10:11 pm Permalink

    I have been natural for nearly 7 years and my hair is like pow ping! I find that it is much eaisier to maintain now that it’s chemical free (I am so glad that I don’t have to worry about scratching anymore), and it is growing like crazy. I never even had time to think about what my goal legnth would be. I agree that the fro really looks good on Erykah. I would not have guessed that it was purchased in a store.

    This blog is great. I am new to the blogging world but I read this blog for THREE HOURS yesterday. I think I need a support group. LOL

    Reply
11. 

    Danni82 20 February 2009 at 11:02 pm Permalink

    All I gotta say is, no criticizing chicks from Dallas!!! :)

    Seriously speaking though, it’s all about options ladies! I’m just happy that so many of us have decided to break our addiction on the crack that is relaxer and learn the techniques necessary to maintain and grow our natural hair. It’s obvious that many women still haven’t, since even Ms. Badu doesn’t know the importance of a co-wash or two, but hey. If I could afford an afro wig maybe I wouldn’t be concerned about my natural hair, either!! I’m having too much fun…

    Reply
12. 

    criss 20 February 2009 at 11:45 pm Permalink

    OK, I’ll play devil’s advocate. I don’t think Erykah’s saying that nappy hair doesn’t grow. She’s said hers might not get to her shoulders (“ya never know”). And what’s wrong with that? I guess I believe that no matter how well we naturals take care of ouy hair, not all of us aren’t going to end up with hair at our butts. We have personal genetics and other factors to deal with.

    Erykah seems to be fine with the fact that she might never have long hair, so why knock her for it?

    P.S. This is my favorite hair blog. BGLH, you make a girl think! :-)

    Reply
13. 

    SLY 21 February 2009 at 12:19 am Permalink

    I think what she’s saying..and none of us knows but her…but I think she doesn’t give a damn whether its long, short, curly, red, or bald.

    My mom has naturally long hair. She cuts it all off and six months later its down her back. But for the fun of it..she has gone through cycles or wearing wigs…just cuz. She colors it all kinds of ways for fun. She tries styles. She cuts it super short. Cuz she doesn’t care.

    And i think its the same for Erykah. Length isn’t important to her and that doesn’t mean she’s not taking care of her hair or doesn’t know how to. I cut my hair all the time..because I’m not interested in it being long. I don’t like it pass my shoulders. So every six months I’m chopping it off.

    Not everyone cares about length.

    Reply
14. 

    Black girl with long hair 21 February 2009 at 1:40 am Permalink

    @SLY… yeh… i think for this post, though… it’s not so much the length, but the haircare. i mean, i don’t know erykah’s regimen… so i am definitely making an uneducated guess.. but the times i’ve seen her real hair, it just didn’t look moisturized or well cared for.

    *that’s* what concerns me.

    Reply
15. 

    Chanel 21 February 2009 at 1:08 pm Permalink

    she looks good with short hair anyways. i think we want our natural advocates and celebrities to know what theyre doing and be an inspiration to our passions. but erykah is human after all. and like you said BGLH: “another example of how clueless black women are, generally speaking, when it comes to their hair.” we idealize her because she looks good and is out there, but she’s another example of a woman that hasn’t quite got it.

    Reply
16. 

    Dwana 21 February 2009 at 5:44 pm Permalink

    Whether she bought it or grew it, I don’t care because it’s her head. I will continue to dub her the queen of neo-soul.

    She might not believe her hair can grow that long because she knows she cannot invest the time and patience in it. I don’t think she means her nappy hair can’t grow though. We all (should) know that in order to grow your hair out, takes care…for some its a trial and error.

    I think India was one of the FEW that did have some kind of weave.

    No respect lost for another blk women and her choices about her hair from me.

    I miss EB. I can’t believe her behind blogged during labor! That’s my she’ro!

    Reply
17. 

    Vermelha - Admin 21 February 2009 at 5:55 pm Permalink

    I think that E. Badu is much deeper than the superficial box we’re trying to fit her in. When she said her hair may grow to her shoulders, she’s saying it in a context that means that she doesn’t care whether it does or not. She’s beyond trying to achieve long hair, and beyond all of the superficial when it comes to beauty. She realizes her natural beauty.

    Also, I don’t think she really believes black hair can’t grow. Mind you, she’s been all around the world, whereas most AA people haven’t (not like she has). She’s done tours and concerts in countries that have high populations of black people and spent time in Brazil with Sergio Mendes on his 2006 album release.

    She’s seen a lot of black people… so no, I don’t believe she’s ignorant about what black people are capable of possessing. As far as the wig goes, There are women who wear real afros as such (styled, but you see the idea). Whether her hair is a big afro or a small TWA, I think her message is to accept her as a natural being regardless, without the stigma of whether or not her hair is long.

    Reply
18. 

    Jc 21 February 2009 at 7:35 pm Permalink

    I can’t speak for Erykah or what she meant but to say that being around black people should educate you on how to take care of hair or be aware that your hair is just untrue. I speak with experience having grown up in Africa.

    I have to agree that Erykah’s own natural hair really does not look well taken care of. There are so many women rocking TWA’s and I mean rocking TWA’s. It is not all about length.

    Reply
19. 

    SLY 22 February 2009 at 4:33 pm Permalink

    I think too much meaning is put into appearance. If someone wears ripped jeans and a dirty shirt..are we gonna say, “They don’t know how to take care of themselves. What’s wrong with them.” Maybe they just don’t care. Maybe appearance in superficial things isn’t what they care about. Last time I saw Erykah in concert..she came on stage..all dolled up..and as the concert progressed..she took off the wig..and showed her completely bald head..and she looked like a goddess. She took off her make up. And she had a jogging pants and a white tshirt that was ripped. And she sung her songs and set the night of fire.

    If my hair is dry..does that mean I’m not taking care of myself and living my life to its full potential? Maybe it means I’d rather spend my time on other things. If I don’t wear makeup, moisturize my lips, and get a manicure..doesn’t it mean I don’t know how to take care of myself? Maybe it means I don’t care about those things and they don’t matter to me. Maybe it means I’d rather spend my time on something else rather than moisturizing my hair every day.

    And i think that’s ok. If while watching Erykah perform..you’re drawn to her un-moisturized hair…man, I think you’re completely missing the point.

    Reply
20. 

    naturalessence7 3 March 2009 at 5:52 pm Permalink

    Maybe she doesn’t care to have long hair. Not everyone is obsessed with length. Short hair suits her cause she has a BEAUTIFUL face. And when she wants to go for length she has a plethora of wigs to choose from. Most entertainers wear weaves or wigs because when they are on the road they don’t have time to properly take care of their hair. Perhaps the same is true for Ms. Badu.

    I love you Erykah!!!

    Reply
21. 

    Anonymous 21 May 2009 at 11:13 pm Permalink

    I have a big natural hair, and I love it! but what about the times I don´t want to let my own hair free? I love that wig! Where can I get it? And I´m serious about the question.

    Reply

Leave a Reply