Sesame Street's Message to Black Girls: Stop Hating Yourself

Using the words "good" and "straight" synonymously when talking about hair is exactly why skits like this are necessary. Too many little girls and grown women think that having curly or course hair is a disease that must be cured by any means necessary.

Actually curly hair is seen as "good hair." Are you black? Kinky/course/nappy hair is seen as bad hair.
 
But the hair is an extension of the body. Eating healthy will give healthy hair. But our hair represents so much more than just hair. And not just with women either...why do you think it is that most black men cut off their hair? they do not keep their natural texture and are scared to have it longer than a snap. It's an important topic. Not as important as others, but still important. We have no black pride any more...

bullshit, if your hair is fucked up eating healthy wont do shit, lets face it some niggas just got some fucked up hair. Black hair requires more maintenance, and soem folks dont have time to maintain it. So let me get this strait if I dont want to look like quest love or grow locks that means im scared so I cut my hair?
 
bullshit, if your hair is fucked up eating healthy wont do shit, lets face it some niggas just got some fucked up hair. Black hair requires more maintenance, and soem folks dont have time to maintain it. So let me get this strait if I dont want to look like quest love or grow locks that means im scared so I cut my hair?
This is a society that has always held up images of White people as being THE standard of beauty.

This number Sesame Street did is addressed to those little girls who might feel like something is wrong with their natural hair texture, since it is not like white people's. Encouraging them to take pride in it the way that it is.

It's not making a statement saying, "perming is bad" - rather the message is, "nothing is wrong with what you have, and in fact, it's kind of cool."
 
I work for PBS. Sesame Street has always been on another level when it comes to the way kids of all colors are portrayed. I don't work mornings, so I missed when this aired but I'm damn proud of that video. Great Post. 5 Stars!


Can you get them to bring back funky chimes

 
Actually curly hair is seen as "good hair." Are you black? Kinky/course/nappy hair is seen as bad hair.

There are many kinds of curly hair. Course hair can be curly. You've just been conditioned to think of larger, loose curls (ie., mostly seen on biracial children) as the only kind of curly hair that people of color can have.

And as for asking am I Black...I would love to hear your reasoning for even asking that question. On the other hand, I'll just leave it alone. I don't want to get into a pissing match in such a positive thread.
 
In my opinion, if Black women don't want to rock natural hair it's because of Black men. Most Black men don't react to nature hair the same way thy do to processed hair... and that's the truth.

When I ask Black men that say they love natural hair to show me what they like, what they point out ALWAYS looks like this this....

AmelNatural.jpg


naturalhair.jpg


alocenvy.jpg


and NEVER like this


highres_3151159.jpeg


natural_hair3.jpg


14909.gif



What that means to me is that most Black men like a certain type of natural hair and not so much the normal type of natural hair. If I was a woman, I'd go with whatever gave me the best chance of getting the most men.
 
Oh Thank you Mr White Man, thank you so much.

After centuries of perpetuating the myth that black hair is ugly with caricatures like Aunt Jemima wearing a scarf to cover her shame and minstrel shows, you have redeemed yourself in the space of two minutes by giving self-esteem through puppets. Because lord knows it's ugly, subhuman or not good enough to grace 'mainstream' society unless you approve of it (******* bop became rock, hiphop is now acceptable etc.)

Thank God for T.V. being there as it the only way my younger siblings receive their daily source of self-esteem as my parents are too lazy to instill pride in my little sister and thanks to the white producers at Sesame Street for finally acknowledging how beautiful black hair is. Now she finally feels beautiful.

Two thumbs up. :yes:

Kind Regards,

Sampson.
 
Oh Thank you Mr White Man, thank you so much.

After centuries of propagating that black hair is ugly with caricatures like Aunt Jemima wearing a scarf to cover her shame and minstrel shows, you have redeemed yourself in the space of two minutes by giving self-esteem through puppets. Because lord knows it's ugly, subhuman or not good enough to grace 'mainstream' society unless you approve of it (******* bop became rock, hiphop is now acceptable etc.)

Thank God for T.V. being there as it the only way my younger siblings receive their daily source of self-esteem as my parents are too lazy to instill pride in my little sister and thanks to the white producers at Sesame Street for finally acknowledge how beautiful black hair is. Now she finally feels beautiful.

Two thumbs up. :yes:

Kind Regards,

Sampson.
???
 
Can you get them to bring back funky chimes



Ha ha, I wish. The show has changed so much from when we kids. The new Electric Company isn't bad though. Those funky chimes are like a soundtrack to a generation.
 
The indoctrination of physical beauty, as given by the ruling party, in promotion of beauty products not under control of the people which have 'bad' hair...

Be happy with your natural strong hair
 
But the hair is an extension of the body. Eating healthy will give healthy hair. But our hair represents so much more than just hair. And not just with women either...why do you think it is that most black men cut off their hair? they do not keep their natural texture and are scared to have it longer than a snap. It's an important topic. Not as important as others, but still important. We have no black pride any more...

It's true

And I think black men have no place to tell us what we should do with our hair

Black men IMO are the race of man least likely to big up his own race of woman in terms of beauty ... you see men of other races bigging up the beauty of their women all the time but black men have failed us in that aspect ... we have seen them over time drool more and more over other races of women then they add insult to injury by proclaiming WE ARE the ones with the colour and hair issues ... sadly many sistas are dying and bleaching to try and look like the women these brothas chase the most

Yeah black men have failed in this regard 100%
 
It's true

And I think black men have no place to tell us what we should do with our hair

Black men IMO are the race of man least likely to big up his own race of woman in terms of beauty ... you see men of other races bigging up the beauty of their women all the time but black men have failed us in that aspect ... we have seen them over time drool more and more over other races of women then they add insult to injury by proclaiming WE ARE the ones with the colour and hair issues ... sadly many sistas are dying and bleaching to try and look like the women these brothas chase the most

Yeah black men have failed in this regard 100%
@JD - I love natural hair, it takes a strong, secure, and beautiful one to wear it like that

C'mon son

You know the reasoning for this, the same as with that video. It is all indoctrination.

I will use me as an example, being a black male which loves black women. I was taught to hate everything dark skin, with coarse hair. Period. The image of beauty I was brought up with was white, Hispanic, and light skinned females. The saying was to find a girl who has Indian in her family and not some nappy head female. The same show gave me an example in Maria and that black dude she was with. Also during that time, light skinned brothers were in for the females as well as conks, which became perms or jeri curls.
Across the board, anything dark was considered shit until the Wesley Snipes era came in.

Did you think they started when people were in puberty? They have been fucking over our people to hate our natural state for the longest. I had posts a video on this board from the early 70s with Bill Cosby discussing our lack of positive self image. To this day they sell women shit to make their hair less black, along with hair coloring which don't belong them.

They breed self hatred in everything associated in this society due to the fact that this culture is not made for non-whites. It is altered to fit th portion they accept yet not the person as being acceptable
 
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There are many kinds of curly hair. Course hair can be curly. You've just been conditioned to think of larger, loose curls (ie., mostly seen on biracial children) as the only kind of curly hair that people of color can have.

And as for asking am I Black...I would love to hear your reasoning for even asking that question. On the other hand, I'll just leave it alone. I don't want to get into a pissing match in such a positive thread.

It's common knowledge that the way black people use "curly" is different than the way other cultures use it. I know nappy hair is essentially extremely small stiff curls. I'm black so I use our language.
 
Teach your children to love themselves, from head to toe, and not allow another to take that from them
 
Commendable. Interesting reading some of the replies... I expected what I read from certain people. Thing is, women tend to do what they think will attract men and make them "beautiful" in their eyes. I recall reading on this board when guys saw the Anti-Piracy PSA I shot for Free Speech Coalition. I was the only Black face in the video, and I wore my curly hair pulled back into an afro-puff. You know what the general reaction of this board was? That I needed to take a pressing comb to my hair. :smh: Funny thing is, I viewed it as pitiful that those same men would be on a board about BLACK women and yet despise the things that make them Black. Over the years I've worn my share of extensions... mostly to protect my locks from makeup artists that didn't know what they were doing with my mass of curly hair. I haven't had a perm in over a decade. I haven't worn extensions in over 2 years. Whether my hair is naturally curly or flat ironed straight, I love the versatility of being able to do what I want with it. And most men love it. I recently met a fan from the Ivory Coast that plays professional soccer and his reaction to my hair was that "African women don't have hair like yours," due to its soft, thin, curly texture. I know that my multi-ethnic background gives me a different grade of hair than some, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. Regardless of what some less informed men that only view assimilative images of Black woman beautiful.

Enjoy...

Lounging at home
169015135.jpg


At a cafe in Mal Pais, Costa Rica
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My first sunset in Mal Pais, Costa Rica
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Sweating, Climbing the Pyramid of the Sun in Mexico City w/ the Pyramid of the Moon behind me and & fucked up fro from climbing the pyramids.
149449676.jpg


Waking up in bed in NYC with my girlfriend after performing with The Punany Poets (no perm, just a flat iron/ curling iron.)
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With my makeup artist in NYC getting ready to perform w/ the Punany Poets
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In my hotel lobby bar in NYC waiting for a friend to arrive
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Chilling at home
75911148.jpg


Perfect Fro
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Post Shoot for Heather Hunter's new photography project
68922669.jpg


On stage with the Punany Poets in Florida
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On stage for my dance number with the Punany Poets in Florida
64252849.jpg


Home from The Roots Pre-Grammy Party in latex capri pants, button down & curly fro :)
61634483.jpg


61634324.jpg


In Jamaica @ Dunn's River Falls
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Home
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On webcam trying to be cute with my wet mop when it was shorter
49137998.jpg


With my hair twisted up & fro'd out & my vintage DVF dress at a book reading in NYC
34169663.jpg


At my girl Jean Grae's crib in Brooklyn before heading out on a date after she's done my hair
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Wet fresh from the shower back when it was shorter
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So yeah... I love having natural hair. I think its sad that there are guys that think a woman can't be sexy without it. My curly hair often gets me mistaken for Latina... even my S.O.'s mom thought I was Cuban when we met. But I proudly tell people that despite my curls, the German, Creole and Native American bloodlines - I am STILL a Black Woman.

*Whew! It looks like all the links are working now. :)
 
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Commendable. Interesting reading some of the replies... I expected what I read from certain people. Thing is, women tend to do what they think will attract men and make them "beautiful" in their eyes. I recall reading on this board when guys saw the Anti-Piracy PSA I shot for Free Speech Coalition. I was the only Black face in the video, and I wore my curly hair pulled back into an afro-puff. You know what the general reaction of this board was? That I needed to take a pressing comb to my hair. :smh: Funny thing is, I viewed it as pitiful that those same men would be on a board about BLACK women and yet despise the things that make them Black. Over the years I've worn my share of extensions... mostly to protect my locks from makeup artists that didn't know what they were doing with my mass of curly hair. I haven't had a perm in over a decade. I haven't worn extensions in over 2 years. Whether my hair is naturally curly or flat ironed straight, I love the versatility of being able to do what I want with it. And most men love it. I recently met a fan from the Ivory Coast that plays professional soccer and his reaction to my hair was that "African women don't have hair like yours," due to its soft, thin, curly texture. I know that my multi-ethnic background gives me a different grade of hair than some, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. Regardless of what some less informed men that only view assimilative images of Black woman beautiful.

Enjoy...

Lounging at home
2smkwv


At a cafe in Mal Pais, Costa Rica
2h9h4r


Sweating, Climbing the Pyramid of the Sun in Mexico City
2gz83w


Waking up in bed in NYC with my girlfriend after performing with The Punany Poets
26j2f5


With my makeup artist in NYC getting ready to perform
26bask


In the hotel lobby bar
1db5gt


Chilling at home
1971f0


Perfect Fro
16hg67


Post Shoot for Heather Hunter's new photography project
15192l


On stage with the Punany Poets in Florida
1295z7


Home from The Roots Pre-Grammy Party
10p1gz


10p1ck


In Jamaica @ Dunn's River Falls
10di32


Home
ts56n


On webcam trying to be cute
t974e


So yeah... I love having natural hair. I think its sad that there are guys that think a woman can't be sexy without it. My curly hair often gets me mistaken for Latina... even my S.O.'s mom thought I was Cuban when we met. But I proudly tell people that despite my curls, the German, Creole and Native American bloodlines - I am STILL a Black Woman.

*Grr... links aren't working here & I have to run out. I'll have to fix it when I return from the bank and post office. :(

And that is the issue, natural is beautiful. You take away from that beauty with every alteration which is not you. Every bit of war paint, chemical, all that is not needed for our queens.

We were strong and powerful when they seen us, feared us, lusted after us and everything else. Now they want you to adopt a standard of beauty which is meant to change us? and at the same time they adopt our natural styles? our hair, mannerisms, language and talk about it? :smh:

They forget the law of assimilation, that although they want to change you, they will as well be changed due to the conversion.
 
The black on BGOL stands for african women of the DIASPORA like most of us are, and like most of us we are mixed of sorts.

Lets not look down on dudes for liking their women(Mixed and all)
 
The black on BGOL stands for african women of the DIASPORA like most of us are, and like most of us we are mixed of sorts.

Lets not look down on dudes for liking their women(Mixed and all)

This is not about that... this is pointed directly at the standard of beauty applied directly to girls with stereotyped features and the standard of beauty which is applied to it. straight up.

You see a black woman with natural hair, she is told to press it, perm it, anything to make it appear more westernized, silky smooth, straight. It is not appreciated off the back because it is deemed ethnic, black.

This has an effect on girls, as well as the dudes which also are made to adopt the same standard to what beauty is.

Being mixed and appreciating the women of the other side of your gene pool has nothing to do with simply appreciating the full range of natural beauty without having standards applied to them.
 
:lol: I LOVE it!!! That's the cutest thing I've ever seen

LOL @ some fools in here who probably have white girls tryin tell sistas what to do with their hair though ... GTFOH ... ya'll are half the damn problem

:confused::confused::confused::confused:


But uhh..This is a good video im definetely showing my daughter. I told her mother that its not something im allowing her to do. Seen too many little girls hair ruined like this.

Perms I mean.
 
This is cool...but lil black girls gone need more than Sesame Street...it's something that is ingrained in them from young that they hold onto well into adulthood as a result of growing up in this country and being bombarded w/ the white standard of beauty...I think that is the main difference I have seen in Caribbean women having more confidence in themselves especially in relation to white women than African American women...this is just a generalization of course
 
It's true

And I think black men have no place to tell us what we should do with our hair

Black men IMO are the race of man least likely to big up his own race of woman in terms of beauty ... you see men of other races bigging up the beauty of their women all the time but black men have failed us in that aspect ... we have seen them over time drool more and more over other races of women then they add insult to injury by proclaiming WE ARE the ones with the colour and hair issues ... sadly many sistas are dying and bleaching to try and look like the women these brothas chase the most

Yeah black men have failed in this regard 100%


How you say least likely and then say 100%?

Least likely means not most but its likely.

100% means all.
:confused::confused:












theyseemetrolln.jpg
 
This is not about that... this is pointed directly at the standard of beauty applied directly to girls with stereotyped features and the standard of beauty which is applied to it. straight up.

You see a black woman with natural hair, she is told to press it, perm it, anything to make it appear more westernized, silky smooth, straight. It is not appreciated off the back because it is deemed ethnic, black.

This has an effect on girls, as well as the dudes which also are made to adopt the same standard to what beauty is.

Being mixed and appreciating the women of the other side of your gene pool has nothing to do with simply appreciating the full range of natural beauty without having standards applied to them.

The burden of being nonwhite in a white society....we all feel this.
 
In my opinion, if Black women don't want to rock natural hair it's because of Black men. Most Black men don't react to nature hair the same way thy do to processed hair... and that's the truth.

When I ask Black men that say they love natural hair to show me what they like, what they point out ALWAYS looks like this this....

AmelNatural.jpg


naturalhair.jpg


alocenvy.jpg


and NEVER like this


highres_3151159.jpeg


natural_hair3.jpg


14909.gif



What that means to me is that most Black men like a certain type of natural hair and not so much the normal type of natural hair. If I was a woman, I'd go with whatever gave me the best chance of getting the most men.


I agree.. but if a cat isn't feeling that little fro look, the weave is only an illusion and doesn't really help you. and a perm only damages your head, so you might as well go for the dredlocks.
 
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I don't fuck with women unless they're natural. The perm/weave is the first sign to me that they aren't honest.
 
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