Politics about hair live stream at Penn

[Postal]

Univerisity of Penn having an all day symposium about hair today. I'm stuck in classes all day but

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for those who are interested they have a live stream! It's from 9am to 5 pm I believe

https://africana.sas.upenn.edu/politics-black-womens-hair-symposium-friday-march-1-2013

 

[LadyRaider]

What do you think is going on with that woman's hair who is next to mhp?

 

[Shinka]

Thank you for posting this. I am a Penn Alum and live in Philly. I didn't know about this. Sharing with other Penn & Philly naturals!!!

 

[LadyRaider]

Really feeling convicted about buying from black businesses. I get a little impatient waiting for my "shescentit" box to come, but I need to stick with them. I love their products. Is "As I am" black owned? Is Curlmart?

 

[LadyRaider]

Dig the conversation about the choices we make about hair might have nothing to do with wanting to be white. You might like the long straight hair. A lady pointed out that back in ancient africa, women were adding "weave" to their hair and coloring it.

 

[Amarilles]

This is awesome. I catched the last part of the first portion, will tune in again at 1. Thanks!

Really feeling convicted about buying from black businesses. I get a little impatient waiting for my "shescentit" box to come, but I need to stick with them. I love their products. Is "As I am" black owned? Is Curlmart?

I believe As I Am is black owned yes. No idea about CurlMart.

 

[LaBelleLL]

are you guys watching? i am.

thanks for this OP. i'm supposed to writing a paper on black hair, etc. for one of my classes and my prof sent me info about this event. and i totally forgot!!

 

[LaBelleLL]

is this white woman just going to read her paper?


btw - unpopular opinion but i don't like when white people speak about black people issues. it makes me uncomfortable.

 

[Postal]

I think, each of the three grad students are going to read their papers.

 

[LaBelleLL]

I think, each of the three grad students are going to read their papers.

eek! Postal did you catch this morning talk?

 

[Amarilles]

I'm watching. I'd be a liar if I didn't wonder who the white lady is...but I think it's dangerous to shut people out. Where would the line be drawn? I think in general it's good for cultures to understand the struggles of other cultures. But yes...it's a little weird.

 

[LaBelleLL]

I'm watching. I'd be a liar if I didn't wonder who the white lady is...but I think it's dangerous to shut people out. Where would the line be drawn? I think in general it's good for cultures to understand the struggles of other cultures. But yes...it's a little weird.

i suppose it would be shutting people out? that's true but idk, i just hate it. it looks like appropriation to me.

 

[Amarilles]

Her husband could be black, she could be heavily involved in the community....or not. It's not right to call it inappropriate. I mean...I would then have to check myself, I embrace my black now but for years I shunned it, as most Hispanics do and are taught to do so. I'm black, but not culturally so. It's racists to shun her just because she's white. But I agree that's it weird.

 

[LadyRaider]

The color issue of the researcher is a common problem. The practical answer is... if white people were excluded from researching/discussing black issues, we would have a LOT less research on black issues.

 

[LaBelleLL]

Her husband could be black, she could be heavily involved in the community....or not. It's not right to call it inappropriate. I mean...I would then have to check myself, I embrace my black now but for years I shunned it, as most Hispanics do and are taught to do so. I'm black, but not culturally so. It's racists to shun her just because she's white. But I agree that's it weird.

mmm i'm not sure it is racist to prefer and to be much more comfortable with my own people to talk about our issues. i cannot accept that label since my sentiments have nothing to do me thinking the black race is superior over another (aka racism). eh, we can just agree to disagree!

 

[LaBelleLL]

The color issue of the researcher is a common problem. The practical answer is... if white people were excluded from researching/discussing black issues, we would have a LOT less research on black issues.

hmmm. i'd be curious to see the stats on...positive research of black issues. it seems as if, from white people, there is a lot of research on stats like crime rates, marriage, out of wedlock families, effect of affirmative action, college stats, more crime, etc.

but this kind of sociological research, the kind that tries to tell a story - black hair, black skin complexions, discourse of black feminism - black phds seem to lead the pack in this kind of research.....or so it seems based on phd classes with like only 1-2 white candidates....

 

[LadyRaider]

I like this paper about "us." Dang... I could have researched this. I didn't know the "language and literacy" angle, however. But this girl is nailing it. Because I'm not surrounded by black scholars, they ideas don't just come to me.

I like what she said about forums like this one (as well as youtube and blogs) as a place where we create our own models of what is beautiful. Yah black ladies!

 

[LaBelleLL]

wow at the 4ab girl who puts the 3b curls in her hair and tells ppl it grows like that!!

eta: Leslie's paper is great!!

 

[Postal]

eek! Postal did you catch this morning talk?

I saw about 50% of it. . I enjoyed it. It was a question and answer format, which is much more interesting to listen to.

But these papers are good as well because they are well formed thoughts about the subject. I'm listening to small portions of the stream. I'm going in and out because I'm in class lol

 

[LadyRaider]

hmmm. i'd be curious to see the stats on...positive research of black issues. it seems as if, from white people, there is a lot of research on stats like crime rates, marriage, out of wedlock families, effect of affirmative action, college stats, more crime, etc.

but this kind of sociological research, the kind that tries to tell a story - black hair, black skin complexions, discourse of black feminism - black phds seem to lead the pack in this kind of research.....or so it seems based on phd classes with like only 1-2 white candidates....

I don't think real research from the real universities allow this to happen. I went to UT Austin where a white lady named Anne Haas Dyson graduated from. Her research is on black children writing. It is great stuff. She is really THE voice on the topic and has been for 20 years.

However... if the university is not quality, perhaps this can happen. I know I teach at a umm... regional university. The other black professor assigns the students to go visit a minority environment... like a black church. I love that little man but his Ph.D. is not from a Tier 1 University. In fact he is actually an Ed.D.

I mentioned this assignment at a conference I went to with other scholars of color from major universities and the other professors instantly pointed out the risk of the students going on a "cultural tour." Like visiting a zoo.

So all of that to say.. good sociocultural research will probably come from the real research universities. But there are actually VERY few researchers of color coming out of these programs. Research would be severely limited if it only came from black scholars.

 

[Carmelella]

mmm i'm not sure it is racist to prefer and to be much more comfortable with my own people to talk about our issues. i cannot accept that label since my sentiments have nothing to do me thinking the black race is superior over another (aka racism). eh, we can just agree to disagree!

It's not racist, but it's separatist, but most of all it's no big deal. Everyone is going to be uncomfortable with someone/something. As long as ur not protesting for her to get off the stage then it shouldn't matter.

I kinda feel the same way as you, it would make me uncomfortable. But I also think the more we label things as "black issues", whether superficial things like hair or deeper things like crime, men in jail, education, STDs, .. The more shameful and secretive the issue becomes. And when you can't talk freely about things, problems and attitudes can't get fixed/changed. So let whitey sit in on the convo, lol... Just joking folks! :silly:

 

[LadyRaider]

My mother was a mess. I mean not in a bad way. But she had this silky wavy hair that was nothing like mine. She didn't really know what to do with it. I wore 2 braids until 12th grade because that's all we knew!

Still she always told me my hair was beautiful. I never realized that my hair wasn't the MOST fabulous hair until I saw the photos on this board.

 

[LaBelleLL]

My mother was a mess. I mean not in a bad way. But she had this silky wavy hair that was nothing like mine. She didn't really know what to do with it. I wore 2 braids until 12th grade because that's all we knew!

Still she always told me my hair was beautiful. I never realized that my hair wasn't the MOST fabulous hair until I saw the photos on this board.

aw that's really sweet!

 

[LaBelleLL]

interesting that zoe saldana is considered mixed race like that. in america, women who look like her are usually AA.

so this third paper is good but i'm not as excited about it as i am with the second paper.

and yes MJ's is wayyyyy too expensive.

 

[LaBelleLL]

oh i didn't know NC was against using heat.

 

[Amarilles]

I loved the last girl...it's not about the race, it's about the hair. Ingredients aren't partial to race yet ingredients make up products. It's not about me being this and you being the other.

 

[LaBelleLL]

sorry khamit kinks - yes it is better to do your own hair (for basic things) than to go to a salon. they're expensive!!!

 

[LaBelleLL]

I loved the last girl...it's not about the race, it's about the hair. Ingredients aren't partial to race yet ingredients make up products. It's not about me being this and you being the other.

i think race has everything to do this whole symp. heck, it's called "The Politics of Black Women's Hair..."

 

[Amarilles]

interesting that zoe saldana is considered mixed race like that. in america, women who look like her are usually AA.

She's half Dominican, half Puerto Rican. I'm surprised she's considered mixed because that implies half one culture/half another. I'm 100% Dominican, but I would never call myself "mixed"...all the family I know came from one place. I think she considers herself black latina.

 

[nerdography]

Thanks for posting this, I'm watching it now.