Why African women straighten their hair

[Maracujá]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8330701.stm

And there's a whole discussion on it too: http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=7163&edition=2&ttl=20091028194905

 

[shunemite]

She's right on point with "follow western standards and celebrities". That's exactly where I grew up, Africa, and we watch A LOT of American TV shows and movies. Our standard of beauty is what we see in America: straight hair and light skin. Embarrassing standard too, because 99% of any given African country's population has dark skin and kinky 4b hair (except for North Africa, of course).

You'd be surprised if you visited Africa. It's not the typical "Feed the children" commercial in the capital cities. Girls in their 20's pretty much follow what's on BET and MTV. You'll see weaves with blond streaks, tattoos, extra tight low cut jeans, visible thongs underneath etc.

Unfortunately, most African women are not aware that these women on tv like Beyonce or Brittany Spears don't look like this everyday and spent hours getting extensions and make-up.

Speaking of Africa, I'm really proud of what Oprah did with her school. She said she has hair braiders come to the school every weekend and cornrow the girls' hair. They are not allowed to wear their hair out so they can concentrate on school and still keep their natural hair.

 

[whitedaisez]

She's right on point with "follow western standards and celebrities". That's exactly where I grew up, Africa, and we watch A LOT of American TV shows and movies. Our standard of beauty is what we see in America: straight hair and light skin. Embarrassing standard too, because 99% of any given African country's population has dark skin and kinky 4b hair (except for North Africa, of course).

You'd be surprised if you visited Africa. It's not the typical "Feed the children" commercial in the capital cities. Girls in their 20's pretty much follow what's on BET and MTV. You'll see weaves with blond streaks, tattoos, extra tight low cut jeans, visible thongs underneath etc.

Unfortunately, most African women are not aware that these women on tv like Beyonce or Brittany Spears don't look like this everyday and spent hours getting extensions and make-up.

Speaking of Africa, I'm really proud of what Oprah did with her school. She said she has hair braiders come to the school every weekend and cornrow the girls' hair. They are not allowed to wear their hair out so they can concentrate on school and still keep their natural hair.

yup, ur totally right. pple think africa is all about de jungle, lions and starving pple.

 

[Ms Lala]

yup, ur totally right. pple think africa is all about de jungle, lions and starving pple.

Yeah people choose to be ignorant. I mentioned to someone that I wanted to go to certain parts of Africa for a trip she said "oh are you doing missions?" I explained to her that I actually just wanted to go and visit for a vacation. She seemed astonished.