Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: "If Michelle Obama had natural hair, Barack Obama would not have won"
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- Опубликовано: 8 сен 2024
- Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie tells Synne Rifbjerg how she thinks Michelle Obama's hair influenced the presidential election
Excerpt from a conversation on International Authors' Stage in The Black Diamond, Copenhagen - see the full conversation here • Chimamanda Ngozi Adich...
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May 19th 2014
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Exactly, "You can't be too black". As a black person in this society you cannot stray too far from the European idea of beauty if you want to be successful in your career
Sadly true.
Because Europeans are not black. We are not used to it.
@@audreykennedy8891 and black people aren't European? What do you mean? There's no reason except for racism really that black people have to "go European" to be accepted in corporate situations. Its not like the Europeans even got here first, they were just the ones in power. The same with other cultures too. We all have to adapt a certain level of whiteness to survive.
This is true...🤷🏾♀️
@@booknerdjebbi5037 Exactly, that's why We all speak English, Abi?
The way that woman called her hair "frizzy" exactly illustrated the point that Obama may not have wone if Michelle didnt straighten her hair. Why didn't the woman say "curly" "natural" or "textured". Frizzy has such a negative connotation, and yet thats the first word that came to her mind.
Brilliant observation. Furthermore, it is interesting to note that Chimanada's hair is not even straightened but it's not "frizzy".
The imagery of black hair is clearly engrained regardless of what is clearly seen.
I think some white people just call all curly hair frizzy, my coworker has curly blonde hair and is white and a customer referred to her as the "one with frizzy hair"
@@kg538 Possibly, but for me (a white person), frizzy is usually used when hair is unruly or unmaintained. It's not an exact synobym for curly. No one would ever call shirly temple's curls frizzy.
@@davea.richards9744 Yeah. I would call her hair sculptural. It's gorgeos!
@@lindsaygoodwin3140 I agree with you,, but some people think very tight natural curls are frizzy and refer to it as such. My family always straighten their hair or "It'll go frizzy" because they've naturally curly hair. Shirley Temple's hair was done with pin curls, it's different. I'm white too, I'm just trying to explain what I've noticed people do and say.
I have never thought about it...but she's actually right...
Is that why you straighten your hair as well?
@@collarmole1819 🤭
And that's the problem, even WE don't notice the problem of straightening our hair
Me neither. She's absolutely right
Wrong
"The frizzy is actually her...you just can't be too black." I love, love this woman's attitude. She keeps it real!
Diana Adhiambo absolutely! We need more like her. Clone her
Amen
She wears her hair naturally sometimes...like when she went on vacation...
but the choice is still Michelle's...Respect her choice and the roll she plays. If u want to do something else...then go do it. She is not putting other peoples hair and gel gunk and what have u... damn!
Chimamanda is so patient with them
microaggressive racism effects employment, healthcare, love of self and others, education and even gets us shot and they are laughing, that crowd was 100% white and painfully ignorant....google exists but they didnt even bother to learn. Empathyless
***** CNA was taken aback.. 😂
thehoneyeffect How does it affect emplyment, love of others, healthcare, education and gets black people shot? In Germany there aren't a lot of black people and Europe generally doesn't have the same race problems as the US so it wasn't too hard to see an awkward moment coming when talking about race.
You are absolutely correct in your assessment. Her patience is what elevates her greatness! Such a maturity in her disposition in dealing with these folks, man.
@@thehoneyeffect
I am white and I have a black female supervisor.
I live and work in Europe in an multicultural environment and have had African male and female supervisors before. Nothing special to say about them: as good or as bad as all supervisors everywhere.
But black US American females is something else. It is as if every white person (especially women?) has to pay for the specific black US American history.
"you can't be too Black"
that's so true guys
I am a Nigerian!!! She can’t make that statement in Nigeria and get a round of a plus ! We respect her but in this aspect she sound soo uneducated, why will you discourage African women from rocking their natural hair!!! That statement sound soo unAfrican, uninformed and very irritating!!! Don’t just follow and agree with renowned people like a dummy!!!
@@zachianggandu774 have you watched the video ? She stated a fact is sad but true as a non American I even know this ! They want to be their true self but you just can’t in America!
@@zachianggandu774 she was NOT discouraging African women from wearing their natural hair. She was talking about how sad it is that wearing natural hair is frowned upon in racist America. She WANTS black / African women to wear their natural hair. Didn’t you see her hair and how she talked about how sad it was that Michelle and her kids were straightening their hair to please white America? ACTUALLY watch the video.
@@zachianggandu774 you clearly didn't watch the video, or if you did then you woefully misunderstood her statement
You guys are obsessed with color. Quite the opposite ML King had in mind. You make no mental progress.
Give this woman an Oscar, Nobel Prize and a Grammy.
I never like this woman.. her comments are bullshit.. I think Obama would have won, however some people its in their DNA todo what they prefer.. Look at Nigeria, almost 99% of Nollywood and society is wig and weave central.
Give her an award for what??? What is she saying that u don't already know.
@@avalimpa I HAVE NEVER SEEN A PRESIDENTS WIFE IN NIGERIA WITH NATURAL HAIR EITHER,, PERIOD!! PLUS CHIMAMANDA IS TALKING ALL THIS SHIT.. WHY DOESN'T SHE LIVE IN NIGERIA TO HELP NIGERIAN WOMEN. PEOPLE TALK TO THE TALK, HOWEVER FEW WALK THE WALK. WHAT PROGRAMS DOES SHE HAVE IN PLACE? WHAT'S THE NAME OF IT?
@ you 're A fool
@ I think you shud know more about women hair, politics in america and a lot of other things before you come to the comment sections and say nonsensical things...
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie spoke the truth about Michelle Obama otherwise, she would have been challenged. She is in deed a brilliant and an eloquent woman, who says things as they are. We appreciate this great woman.
She could also focus her truthfulness on her Continent if not country! That would help us Africans a lot cause we need it!! It has not been challenged because I do not see Michelle Obama responding to this pettiness at all!!
Sad the Interviewer didnt realize her own racial comments and facial expressions. Even when Chimamanda corrected her twice. The audience as well corresponding by laughing at the word "frizzy" .... Like, how clueless could they be?
The white woman is so cringey “frizzy” “or a jazz singer” 🤦🏻♀️
*said by a white woman* 😂 no self awareness
So true and sad that hair still holds us back even in the 21st century
Lizzy Afri I never understood that whole hair issue. I've always thought women of color were awesome and i still do
mike58greenberg Thanks but if you do live in America you must be aware that Afro hair style or texture isn't generally well accepted especially in corporate jobs yet this is how our hair grows naturally. The worst part is that not only "white people" hate afro textured hair & consider it unacceptable but so do many black people also.
Lizzy Liz I disagree and it's not far that she'd have to carry the burden of racism and how it effects our self image.
T. L. The fact that she is black & has relaxed hair already proves that she carries the burden of racism in a society that ever promotes white/eurocentric standards of hair type in relation to beauty
Lizzy Liz True. That's assuming her hair is even relaxed. I'm sure she has a top notch hairdresser that can press her hair just as straight but it's like Ms. Adichie stated, if she were to truly wear her nature textured hair before she lived in the White House, she would not be in there now because our God given hair is viewed as political or some other crap. Smh.
So sad BECAUSE it is true.
SFtoAix, yes I totally agree!
Lord knows I love this woman
zanele radebe mwah!
I never thought about this. Depressing, but I think Ms. Adichie is spot on as always.
Pure definition of a black queen
Wow! I never really thought about this, but she's actually right. If Michelle Obama had natural hair, i don't believe Obama would've won either. .
Why?
@@hamster4618 Because of racist assholes who would try to paint them as radical and un-American. As you recall, they already perpetuated the lie that President Obama was born in Africa. Can you imagine if Michelle had rolled out with cornrows or an afro?
@@PreferAndroid when talking about cornrows, do you then mean that way Ngzoi is wearing them in this interview? Because I seriously doubt anybody would have an issue with that as it looks stylish and representative. I would also doubt anyone take issue with a well maintained afro.
I could imagine objections with rastafari dreads (Bob Marley-style), not necessarily representative for a first lady. I think there are also hairdos that would not be deamed acceptable for white first wives.
The African women's crown of hair has always been a source of jealousy and of controversy. It says unequivocally and undeniably that a woman hails from the Queen's of Africa. Not everybody in America is ready for that yet.
Dont fool yourself who would be jealous of tightly coiled African hair?
You live in an echo chamber
@@jamesrivers8182 Lmao me when I see people with that hair type grow perfect Afros.
@@jamesrivers8182 Then why are people bothered by it??
@@keliaa9791 when it's properly groomed and don't look too ridiculously large it's OK. But when it look knotted and messy it does not leave much to be desired
Its true, Im in America, born here, and YES they got a problem to the point they had to put it in policy to NOT discriminate based on hair...CANT STAND THIS COUNTRY sometimes! First its skills, color, now hair..pssss!!!
BS
Yep just passes that law here in California
@@garthbekkerbuksie4338 it’s actually a factual truth. many employers and schools were allowed to discriminate based on black hairstyles such as afros, or braids, and deem them unprofessional. there have been multiple cases of this. it’s a fact. they had to pass the crown act to stop discrimination based off of hairstyle which affected only black and kinky haired people. it’s not bs. it’s a fact. don’t be in denial
@@helhaj79 again BS
What about insisting on calling him the "first black president" his not His mixed race!
She didn't lie.
I love this woman.
Lol i love this women even after 3 years i still find her to be my role model she is unapologetically, honest and a true representative of Africa and African women
Now I like Ngozi. Keeps so truthful
She's spot on.
I can't believe people are just realizing that her statement is true. Our Vice President even knows this is true.
I think Kamala's hair is natural because her mother is Indian so she's not 100% black
@@pedromendesrbd Her father is also mixed race so he's not fully black either.
@@pedromendesrbdWell the native Australians have long silky hair yet they don't have a drop of white man's blood in them
Native American hair is also usually straight
Crazy how far attached from reality you people are
it's a tragedy that SO many feel compelled to straighten their hair. natural is so much cooler, prettier, more down to earth, more honest-looking. it shows a person has the integrity, decency that goes hand in hand with self-respect.
+mike58greenberg part of understanding is realizing that the pressure that creates the "feeling" of wanting to straighten hair is of gargantuan proportions.
....Black women dont feel "compelled" to straighten our hair, we are women--we like different hairstyles, just like any other woman--straight, curly...Black folk have sparked a hair revolution--we wear our hair anyway we want---and we started the "colors" craze....intriguing, intelligent comment of yours!...."compelled", how did you come to that conclusion? A women's hairstyle is as different as she is---and rightly so... I would never expect a man--unless hes a hairdresser---to understand "why" a woman would choose a certain style..I ain't mad at cha💯🖤
A woman's hair style has NOTHING to do with "self-respect"...
@@kelenr5330 ...Excuse me...there is no "pressure", Black women like different hair styles , just like any other woman...🖤💯
@@ilae.williams7675 preach👌🏽
Lord knows how much I love Chimamanda
"If she went a bit more freezy" Excuse me mam but we black people don't choose to *go* freezy. We're born like that. It's our natural state of hair texture. Educate yourself.
No, she is correct, frizzy all-natural hair isn't frizzy, it is curly loose waves or tight curls, hair that is not combed, taken care of is frizzy, or on a humid day
i think the point was if she stopped straightening her hair that would be her “going a big more frizzy”. i’m not exactly sure what she needs to “educate herself” on
The interviews is not a native English speaker, so it may have been a language/translation issue. I’m not sure of it but the term “natural” is definitely a Western phrasing and might even have originated in America. The question was an excellent one, even if the word choice was odd.
@@ameliebowman5091 She needs to educate herself on black hair. And you too apparently.
@@emiliabolsas Truth. Looking at it that way, I should've given her the benefit of the doubt. Thanks for the correction.
0:30 “a little more frizzy”
😒😒.....natural you mean
It’s true ! Even I. Europe my friends who are highly educated and ceo and managers have to straighten their hair otherwise they get stares ! But the time is here where natural African hair will be accepted!
I think she makes a good point.
The harsh truth
Brilliant point. Audience drove me crazy and the interviewer calling natural hair "frizzy" straight out the gate might just be a language hurdle but really shows what we're taught about not white hair
Spot on! Brilliant analogy.
“Went a bit more frizzy” already with the white ignorance 😐
It's not frizzy it bushy or tightly coiled.
Michael Manley former prime minister of Jamaica was married to Beverley Anderson who had an afro. Now she has dreadlocks! Dreadlocks now have been culturally appreciated and appropriated by a diverse global cultures now even in workplace that normally would frown on even skin color is allowing it. Imagine
Dredlocs are of East Indian origin
And being mixed helped him too.
Michelle chooses to straighten her hair like many other black women. How do we know that the girls "HAVE TO" straighten their hair?
Why people hair always have to be an issue. Most is the people commenting here has straight hair. We are the only race that can do what we want with our hair. We're not stuck with one hair texture. Can make it straight or kinky or even frizzy. Why because she don't wear her hair she's trying to be mainstream? I don't wear my natural hair and it's not because I hate it. The shit takes too long to deal with and not to mention the dam cost. I throw on a wig and go. This conversation around black woman's hair is redundant. Let people do what they want with their hair.
Shut up and fix your unoriginal weave, you lot will do anything to please the whites
@@mojunaid8568 you shut up y'all just want to think y'all above it all...foh. We're different cultures we do not have to wear our hair like y'all. Stop trying to shove shit down our throats. I see y'all dum asses rocking the white man's fashion and shoes tho.
@@mojunaid8568 its always something with you people.
@paulette I really appreciate your comment. I am a true African daughter of the soil but I cannot keep up with keeping my natural hair. I use attachments with no regrets. I also use relaxers on my hair to keep them soft enough. I really cannot maintain my natural hair and I appreciate my sisters who can but I also think that people like us shouldn't be ridiculed for the hair care choices we make. Simple
Your fighting a strawman argument. She never said you had to leave your hair natural. She simply said that natural hair, and especially cornrows or dreads, have a negative connotation and that people would have a different view of Michelle, and by association, of Obama. This would probably mean he wouldn't have own. I believe she's right and that he wouldnt even win the primaries.
What you are saying as nothing to do with this point.
I hope Ms Adichie charges a lot to entertain these questions and essentially tell these people how horrible they are #WhereTheMoneyResides
She's helping the smug little liar promote her book. That requires her to ask questions about it. You people are full of hate for no damn reason. Obama won by a damn landslide, nobody cares about his wife's hair.
@@admiralbonetopick600 who’s the “smug little liar”? i assume you’re talking about the slumflower.
@@admiralbonetopick600 You're just as dumb as your face looks.lol
she is absolutely right :(
I love short, long, curly, wavy, natural hair. I even see some girls rocking a bald head beautifully. The simple truth is when you have a lot of hair, keeping it straight is easier to handle on a daily basis. Really short natural hair, no problem to style but I'm mixed with shoulder length hair and I can tell you getting up everyday with straight hair is waaaay easier than curly hair. No need to chemically treat it nowadays either. So many options out there. Michelle looks great and does what works for her.
She wasn’t ridiculing Michelle.... she was shedding light on the minds of the general public.... the same people who shamed Zendaya for looking like she “smells like patchouli oil” when choosing to wear her hair in locs. Yet, they praised the Kardashians as being “innovative”, “original” and “exotic” when they chose to copy black or “urban” hairstyles. The problem is not Michelle as the wearer of the style, but the mainstream American view of black natural hair texture as “not professional enough” for elevated careers, and even more so if they are in the public eye.
You are off the point she is trying to make!
There are plenty of classy natural hairstyles that Michelle would rock and America would love
Smh, that's the point. Why couldn't she wear dreads or an afro and be considered "classy"? And, no, i bet "America", depending on what "Americans" you are referring to, would try to associate them with the black panther party, and/or say they are being divisive. Hell, they already accuse Obama of dividing America, and that's only because he is black, and tried to help bring attention to what black ppl face.
True. He would not have won had Michelle had corn rows. Silly world that we live in.
More like hateful world we live in.
Chi girl is telling it like it is. These truths that you say may make us love one another as black people. More importantly, from your wisdom, deduce the potential and strength we will possess if we stand together as a people.
This is the truth . Ohhhhh, how I longed for her to stop straightening her hair. I almost never do I love my textured hair, I wish for all black women to love their natural texture.
We have been brainwashed to believe that straight is beautiful and kinky curly is bad. I am so glad I stopped relaxing my hair and I embrace my texture in all its glory!
@@lauriedaniels1452 yep it’s about time we take pride in our hair and stop conforming to European beauty standards
Thank you, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, for speaking the truth.
Wow, so so true, Our hair affends. If I am honest, as a woman who has only just stop the straightening processes, I may need therapy to be comfortable going out with my hair in an afro. My hair is actually beautiful, but I still need time.
👆👆👆
Take all the time you need. It's a process because we've been conditioned to self hate for so long. You'll look back in some years in the future and laugh...
"You can't be too black!"
👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
I always wanted her to rock it sometime in her last term. But 44 got in a lot of trouble for his tan suit
?
There's so many problems and injustice in the world today that we need not waste time discussing our hair . For me as a black woman .that is our choice we was raised in multicultural america. For me it is what compliments your facial features.what makes you look attractive, manageability, versatility, flexibility matters.afro,braids dreadlocks, does not compliments all black faces.it is whatever makes her feel comfortable and beautiful.kids are going to make they own decisions about how they choose to wear they hair . Nothing is wrong with being who you are .no one is gonna change their hair because her sisters think it should be worn like theirs.the world has change.mrs obama is a perfect role model for all women every where not just black woman .her roots is also native american.whom did had strait hair. SC.
She wasn’t ridiculing Michelle.... she was shedding light on the minds of the general public.... the same people who shamed Zendaya for looking like she “smells like patchouli oil” when choosing to wear her hair in locs. Yet, they praised the Kardashians as being “innovative”, “original” and “exotic” when they chose to copy black or “urban” hairstyles. The problem is not Michelle as the wearer of the style, but the mainstream American view of black natural hair texture as “not professional enough” for elevated careers, and even more so if they are in the public eye.
This just made me think. I wish Michelle would've gotten some Bantu knots, rocked a twist out,got some box braids or some straight back cornrows with hair added, all the way down to her butt..... while she was in the WH, 2nd term to be exact..... 😂🥰 nothing they could've done 💯
Wait wait wait, are these not the same women who said, if Obama did not have a black woman as his wife he would not have won? Wth? This is sad, now it is her hair that is an issue really?! Now I see why BM laugh at us sometimes?, we think so crazy sometimes. I did not care how the hell Michelle looked just as long as she was a black woman cause I wanted my daughter to see a black man and black woman married together taking charge of a country and that it is possible for “Us” to lead. Whether she had a fro, weave, relax hair, curly hair, dress, straight hair- who cares- she is a beautiful black women and i am hoping that is the reason Obama is with her, let’s not forget about her mind. This hair crap- is starting to annoy me - WHO CARES how you wear your hair- how are you as a person.? Stop the BS BW enough with the hair issue. Sigh.
Coming from a brother who agrees with you, I'm actually surprised that you haven't gotten raked over the coals for your comments.
How is that true ma'am? chose your words wisely Chimamanda, this is SPARTA!!!
She wasn’t ridiculing Michelle.... she was shedding light on the minds of the general public.... the same people who shamed Zendaya for looking like she “smells like patchouli oil” when choosing to wear her hair in locs. Yet, they praised the Kardashians as being “innovative”, “original” and “exotic” when they chose to copy black or “urban” hairstyles. The problem is not Michelle as the wearer of the style, but the mainstream American view of black natural hair texture as “not professional enough” for elevated careers, and even more so if they are in the public eye.
I would have Really liked to see Mrs. Obama advocate for natural hair during the administration. It would have made a BIG impact for African American women in the work place. We are discriminated for wearing our natural hair and it is literally KILLING us.
The frizzy comment was just as insulting as it was ignorant. 😒🙄😖😡
Are you familiar with what a language barrier can do? Would you rather she had used ‘kinky’? English is not my first language either and I don’t even know how to describe the texture of natural hair...
Why is that word negative? Frizzy= composed of tight curls. That’s the literal definition. Is a black persons hair tightly curled? I don’t understand why it’s gibes such negative connotations. Is there some historical context which i’m missing?
Why? I seriously have no clue why "frizzy" would be insulting or ignorant. Its simply a descriptive word for 1 type of (natural) hair.
Straight, wavy, curly, frizzy; all can be natural, all can be "made" at the hairdresser.
Can you explain why you think it's insulting?
By the way, does Ngzoi have "cornrows" here? And do you think she seriously thinks that if Michelle Obama would have had her hair like her/Ngzoi (in this interview) that Obama would not have had enough votes to become president? I think that Ngzoi's hair looks very representative/stylish in this interview and I don't believe anyone would have issues with this hairdo.
"It's sad and it's shallow, but it's true." America in general has always been shallow and has always valued people based on their looks. We still do. There is a reason ultra conservative and even mildly conservative influencers usually talk about how people look. Our beauty standards were also usually based on European standards. I'm glad our society, or at least the media, is becoming more accepting of people with different body types, skin tones, hair, etc. Unfortunately there will always be prejudices and there will always be shallow people who judge others based on looks and rigid beauty standards. As long as those shallow people don't remain the majority forever, then maybe it will get better.
Let's be honest. When I go to West Africa everyone is doing something with their hair- weaves, extensions etc. Let not pretend it's all natural there.
Natural hair is hard to maintain on its own
@@bandaid.bandit this is bull a lot of us are natural now. Black women representing countries from all over the world are wearing our hair natural.
@@juicyfruit9594 Lol I didn’t say that we haven’t had a wake-up call. I’m natural myself, I was only responding to OP’s comment, I’d like to get braids because natural hair IS hard to maintain, OP stated facts, but let’s not act like natural hair is sunshine and rainbows, black hair is beautiful no doubt, just reread my comment
I think that a lot of us are brainwashed into thinking that straight means beautiful. I feel sad when I see my people with horrible fake looking wigs and weaves. Too many people think natural equates to difficult to maintain as well, which to me is far from the truth. I have regular natural hair and when I wore it relaxed, I was advised not to go natural because I didn’t have curly hair!! My hair, my decision, and I’ll never go back. No straightening, no wigs or weaves, just me! I am NOT my hair!
@@bandaid.bandit I have to agree. It’s a labour of love to maintain my natural hair. I freely admit that I often braid my hair just to be free of the routine of daily manipulation. And that’s ok, we should just embrace whatever works for us as individuals.
I could listen to her voice all day long.
Just crazy. It's someone's natural hair for the love of God. ..Knowing my conservative community and people saying things like "All Lives Matter" as a response to BLM...it makes sense to me as to why she thinks Michelle's natural hair would have prevented an Obama Admin . I hope the younger generations will kill off the hate
I love Chimamanda! So smart and great speaker. I have never thought that hair might be an issue on political level. But it actually makes sense!
p.s. im from Ukraine, East Europe. And we have here lots of students from Nigeria. Really nice people!
I think that people would feel intimidated, afraid as to what will America look like. And that doesn't necessarily mean hair or looks of the hair more then will things change for me? will my world views get lost, will I need to change. Yes, a lot of fear behind black hair. People fear what they don't understand.
What I love about many of these conversations, especially when it’s with prominent educated black peoples it’s never an honest conversation. This young woman, Mrs/Ms. Adichie props up a system that is more hurtful to black peoples than racism and exploitation. Michelle Obama has many accolades, but she’s not someone that has done anything to help the black struggles globally. Nor has her husband. They’re neoliberal politicians that cared more about their enrichment and legacy than helping the global black community or just here in America. President Obama is he wanted to help the Black Americans should’ve decriminalized marijuana if not outright rescheduled it or legalized it. The 1994 crime bill and for profit prison system should have been repealed and repaired as to not disproportionately affect black Americans as it did. The drone strikes and militarisms in black and brown countries should have been stopped as well if they wanted to help or produce change. Instead we got an expansion of the Global war on terror which culminated with the destruction of Libya and a ridiculous migrant crisis that caused the rise of strongman politicians in Europe and the levant. And I didn’t even get to Honduras. Symbolism is fine, but it’s not a solution. Someone tell this woman that
Yeah isn’t it odd,that the Obama girls never rocked cornrows,
Or Afro’s?
Actually, they did, I've seen photos.
One of them did, and boy did she get dragged for it😏
@@Coco-hl8vg Why?
Isn't it odd that you think you have the right to choose hairstyles for other people?
Because they don't have an afro. I have seen them in braids plenty of times.
Absolutely! I can’t say that enough.
Synne Rifbjerb’s cringing then laughing at “frizzy” doesn’t match how sad she professes to be.
Language barriers can make people uncomfortable, and laugh as an apologetic reflex if they are not sure they are saying something the right way. She might have forgotten the proper English word... I say this as a native Dutch speaker...
@@LL949 Indeed. Also, it can be embarrassing to admit/address these unpleasant truths. I don't blame Synne for expressing her discomfort.
I couldn't even go to my old job with my natural hair. And that was a shitty job. I imagine the stakes are higher for the presidency.
🙄I disagree.
We elected her husband TWICE.
His hair is “frizzy”.
His half white or are you pretending to be blind?
It is very true. I deal with this on my job. My question is why is your hair straight you need to change the texture of it.
The host looks veeery uncomfortable with the black hair subject...
But how could she be comfortable with it?
I would be too - I’m white and I don’t want to cause offence with my ignorance. She was respectful, but some people are still criticising her used of ‘frizzy’.....when she clearly is not a native English speaker, nor in possession of Afro hair!
How did this interviewer even think this was a topic you could joke about? And also, why do people laugh when she says she wonders if the kids were straightening their hair with relaxer or heat?
absolutley if she did not had straight hair he would not have won- and tht saids a like.
Sad but true
Love her! Nothing but truth when she speaks.
What's that song? " I am not my hair." there is too much emphasis placed on hair and texture. I wouldn't be voting and contemplating texture of someone's strands.
Absolutely, i am more concerned about what comes out of Michelle' Obama"s mouthh than her hair style.
India Arie. I miss her.
Love Ngozi's hair.
A natural real person!
Frizzy what the hell
Language barrier
What is wrong with the word "frizzy"? It's simply a descriptive word for 1 hairtype/hairstyle. Just like "curly" or "straight".
She's has always been brutally honest
The ignorance from the host is too cringe. I almost puked. Chimamanda could not help but laugh at their emptiness.
They all arem
She spits facts unapologetically and if that's not a reason to admire her I don't know what is
She looks like Jaguar Wright's sane doppelganger
If Natural hair means you don’t comb your hair my then I am 100% against it. I was raised to believe it’s always good to be well groomed and that includes combing you hair brushing your teeth and wearing clean clothes. Another thing my mother used to emphasize was be sure you change your underwear in case something happens or you have to go to the hospital.You can call it old fashion if you want to and I understand because I am old. I was raised in the 40s and 50s when a girl would look at you up and down to make sure of that, before she would go out with you.
And I see that you choose to wear extensions. I can't think of a first lady besides Barbara Bush who had natural hair. Michelle Obama wore wigs as did Nancy Reagan. The rest, at the very least, color their hair. The overwhelming amount of black women choose to process their hair or, like you, wear extensions. So what point are you making?
Her point is that they need to
@@rabiamasons1993 Nobody "needs" to do anything with their hair. But if the "need" is being argued than Chimamanda "needs" to follow her own admonitions. The role of first lady is ceremonial. ALL of them are groomed, white or black. Please stop using everything as oppression propaganda.
@@philsdon8932 I'll start off by pointing out, that one can wear their natural hair and still look groomed. Natural and groomed are not mutually exclusive.
I don't recall the part of the clip where Chimamanda insinuates that had Michelle Obama just chosen to not groom her hair, Barack would not have won. If I missed it, please point it out for whoever will follow this conversation. Chimamanda mentioned that had Michelle not straightened her hair, Obama would not have won. The issue here is not grooming. The issue is texture. It would be absolutely silly for Chimamanda to insinuate that anyone trying to be taken seriously present themselves ungroomed.
Obviously women don't need to do anything with their hair in the simplest of meanings of "need". In blunt terms, no one in the world "needs" to do much, if we think about it. However we are speaking in context, right, otherwise we could not possibly make headway in many conversations.
For anyone to achieve the desire of being perceived in a certain way, being taken seriously by a certain audience, gaining the respect of certain people, they "need" to appeal to those people's taste. Job interviews, acting auditions, even in relationship building. Same thing with Barack's presidential campaign.
Michelle is black. We cannot begin to compare her natural hair with the other first ladies' natural hair. That would be a bit silly. If the other ladies chose to wear the natural texture of their hair, and simply groomed it as it was, they could absolutely get away with it because that hair appearance would be very relatable to the majority.
However in Michelle's case, she is not part of the majority, race wise, so many would not be familiar with her look and that would have had the potential to impair their first impressions of her - it takes a good first impression to gain someone's positive audience, and as it was an election campaign - that was key. If we remove race from the picture, since you think this is "oppression propaganda", generally people are reluctant to give audience to what they are not familiar with, with anything. And her straightening her hair certainly aided in her being more effective in Barack's campaign.
However, swaying from idealism and speaking with reality in mind, this is in fact about race and the negative connotations associated with black women who wear their natural texture. So in the context of her objectives, and this conversation - yes, she "needed" to. And depending on the circumstances, so do many other black women.
Generally, there is a natural perception that when one wears their hair straightened, they are considered more 'professional/respectable'. You unwittingly demonstrated this yourself with your reference to grooming. This is evident in schools, in the professional world and Chimamanda is only drawing attention to that in this scenario.
Even in your pointing out that there is an overwhelming number of black women who choose to straighten their hair, you further buttress her point really. I'm not saying all black women who choose to straighten their hair or wear sleek extensions do it for impression management - there are various reasons such as ease of manipulation, simple preference. However, impression management is a valid factor with many women - you simply can't ignore it by stating that all women of all races manipulate their hair.Thankfully, in the last decade though there have been significant improvements due to more and more black women and other women choosing to embrace their natural texture thus creating more awareness and fuelling more and more acceptance.
A personal example is, I have very short natural hair (I am a black African in a Southern African country, where this perception is less strong as we black Africans are a majority, race wise), it is trimmed very well and sometimes coloured to give it a healthy glow - thus it IS "groomed", and well. But it is still short hair, and is not as well looked upon as a sleek weave in professional circles, although this is becoming less and less of an issue. I had to ("needed" to) wear a wig to an interview the other day to make the best possible first impression. If I use your logic, I didn't "need" to, yes, as there is no law or corporate company policy against short hair in my country, however, in order to leverage myself most profitably, with regards to making a strong first impression, it was only wise that I did since I had a wig handy. I "needed" to out of simple awareness and wisdom about how society generally thinks, consciously or subconsciously. What more, in the US, where black people are a minority, and where Michelle and Barack were in line to be the first black President and First Lady. It would have absolutely been unwise NOT TO wear her hair straight, "appropriate" and "familiar", even if there are naturally textured "neat" hairstyles - she would have looked too "alternative" to people, especially those in the majority, but absolutely including even people of colour themselves, because that is the group think that society is.
And lastly, As you rightly pointed out - Chimamanda herself is wearing extensions. If you look up pictures of Chimamanda, she wears her hair, extensions or not, in textures akin to women of colour. However, the only reason I am responding to this part is to point out that even if Chimamanda had straightened hair or worn sleek extensions - that would not invalidate her point. She is not telling anyone to NOT straighten her hair although her stance is clear that she is not in favour of it for herself - she is simply having a conversation about the attitudes towards unstraightened "nappy" hair.
A few days ago a male friend of mine humorously put up a meme on his Whatsapp status - a picture of a black African woman with short hair (like I mentioned) and no makeup on and the caption was "Stubborn girlfriend: natural hair and no makeup". These preconceived notions are real existing attitudes and Chimamanda simply points that out here.
Although I think there is no oppression relating to this issue today ( I think), I am sure you are aware of or could guess how black women started straightening their hair and why? I believe it is from those times that the attitudes towards black hair in its natural from filter down. Many black people themselves think this way. It is not as bad anymore, but it has not gone away yet and in all parts of the world where this is an issue, the issue is traceable to a similar root cause. I trust you can deduce exactly what I mean. It is what it is, and thankfully it is actually improving.
However, let's not radically deny it or try to make those who point it out seem absurd by painting a simple thought provoking conversation as "oppression propaganda". I mean, with the intent to achieve what exactly?
@@rabiamasons1993 People, both black and white, LOVED Obama. If Michelle walked out on stage with her hair on fire they would have voted for him.
In the book by Gloria Naylor, "Linden Hills", a young black woman activist bemoans the skimpy quality of her natural, which she has to tease out, while her non-radical brother has an abundance of hair that he crops short. Her natural hair failed to meet the standards of beauty. That it was natural didn't matter. The Kykuyu women of Kenya keep their heads shaved. Even a bit of growth is seen as unbecoming, rather like unshaved arm pits. Throughout Africa there are tribes that have elaborate treatment of their hair such as molding with mud. Who knows what will be deemed attractive culture to culture.
It comes down to what we perceive to be attractive for ourselves. Lupita Nyong'o usually wears her hair natural. She is also uncommonly beautiful. As a first lady, she most certainly would be accepted with her natural hair.
When it comes to what is expected or acceptable in a first lady, the blacks themselves are apt to be the most judgmental. There is a saying that goes, in effect, "If you are hostessing a party, don't look like the help" (this came up when Ben Carson was running for president and his wife looked frumpy). What's fashionable changes with the times. Right now afros are out with black women and men. That may change next season. When the tide turns to favor natural black hair, it would be an acceptable look for a first lady provided her natural hair flattered her.
Finally, blacks seem to feel they look better with more tamed hair. That's preference, not a refutation of what God gave you. When afros become vogue again, and they most likely will, it will be a welcome look in a first lady and white women will be "appropriating" the style.
To see "everything" through the lens of a black perspective is a bizarre preoccupation of this time in history. Find something to talk about. Any little something that is not a reflection of the inequity of the black experience. If the conversation is always about being black it will eventually become annoying static and will be tuned out. Is that fair? It doesn't matter. Even blacks will be sick of the conversation. Ask Morgan Freeman or Denzel Washington. Or if you want to go to people of intellectual substance, read Shelby Steele, Glen Loury, John McWharter. The list is too long and you would probably call them Uncle Toms. With the current climate their is no way to accept otherness because the blacks, themselves, will not allow that to happen.
@@philsdon8932 Alright, thank you
I know it's not related but she's just so pretty
Interviewing her is hard, just by the choice of words
This is what brutal honesty feels like
more frizzy, jazz singer..."we"... :-/
What about ALL the African women wearing wigs (or weaves) from 🇮🇳 , (which have straight hair)?
So Obama won bcos of Michelle’s hair? Really now!!???🤣🤣🤣
You know what she means.
My point exactly. Utter foolishness.
Exactly! This is so untrue...there is no causation or corelation at all...
That is a very true statement. Chimamanda is right. I don't believe Obama would have won either. He would have been too black.
I actually proved this Theory,
case and point.
I did an experiment with a wig and my natural hair and went on job interviews in America with both and I didn't get hired at the one employer when I had my natural hairstyle. I did get the job when I had wore the straight silky wig to the interviews, but when I came for orientation I had my natural hair, and you could clearly tell their demeanor changed towards me.
You could tell most of the leadership they were very uneasy about my hair, they didn't say anything but the stares of disgust at my hair and their body language told it all. I did not receive those gestures previously when I had worn the silky straight wig to the interviews.
Me looking like them (European straight , or loose wavy hair wigs not ethical looking styles)is ok or acceptable,
but when my hair is in its natural state and or my natural ethnic hairstyles I look not well groomed or unprofessional... its very sad.
Did she really say Jazz singer🙄🤦
I think she said "jet setter".
Hahaha, I like her comment about the torment on the children regarding straightening their hair. Very funny but is true.
Who cares geez just like certain white woman can’t wear that frizzy hair as the First Lady . We need to start asking these questions as black people. How is this content helping my people? How is it improving the life of my people? How is this helping us build our own community?
It helps us gain perspective. The issue of Black women's hair is still an issue. It's better to be aware.
@@stephanieboykin2376 black men love natural hair but yet here we are worrying about mainstream societal standards of beauty. The man I know and hang around love natural hair because you can do a lot more with a woman with natural hair. Plus you don’t need 100s of dollars of month just to maintain your hair. This lady is worried about how everyone in the world views her hair . I hear black people talk about the way Asian people eyes look. I hear black people talk about other races physical attributes all the time. We are the only group that whines about it constantly. I’m just sick of it.
Can't we just be happy for one and other?
She wasn’t ridiculing Michelle.... she was shedding light on the minds of the general public.... the same people who shamed Zendaya for looking like she “smells like patchouli oil” when choosing to wear her hair in locs. Yet, they praised the Kardashians as being “innovative”, “original” and “exotic” when they chose to copy black or “urban” hairstyles. The problem is not Michelle as the wearer of the style, but the mainstream American view of black natural hair texture as “not professional enough” for elevated careers, and even more so if they are in the public eye.
Am surprised that you would go down that road that’s petty and pathetic Ngozi! You think American people would choose a President based on his wife’s hairstyle? Really? Am disappointed!
She is right. Natural hair on blacks in Europe and America is seen amongst whites as a political statement amongst other things. In professional corporate roles a black woman is expected to conform to straight hair whether that be relaxing or wigs. Natural hair is seen by whites as being 'unprofessional'.
She wasn’t ridiculing Michelle.... she was shedding light on the minds of the general public.... the same people who shamed Zendaya for looking like she “smells like patchouli oil” when choosing to wear her hair in locs. Yet, they praised the Kardashians as being “innovative”, “original” and “exotic” when they chose to copy black or “urban” hairstyles. The problem is not Michelle as the wearer of the style, but the mainstream American view of black natural hair texture as “not professional enough” for elevated careers, and even more so if they are in the public eye.
I have thought about this so much since Obama was elected. I looked up to Michelle Obama so much (and I still do), but I could never come to terms with this feeling that maybe she (a black women I looked up to) also saw our natural hair as something negative that needed to be tamed and hidden. Part of me understands that it may not have be a personal choice for her but rather the necessity to dress and look the way that allowed her to be taken seriously given the career path she chosen, but it still hurt to say the least.
Frizzy😳
Language barrier!
When I saw that photo of Michelle with her natural hair, it reminded me of my best friend in youth. Her hair was so lovely, soft, and luscious. I wish Michelle could have kept her natural hair - she's so lovely with it! (She's lovely regardless, but still.)
I agree with this but i also believe some black people would not have voted for Barak Obama or take Michelle Obama seriously if Michelle had corn rows or dreadlocks.
Tosin Ademuwagun she’s saying this. She didn’t specify about the race of the voters. On the whole, Barack wouldn’t have won. And not that they wouldn’t “take Michelle seriously.” It’s the exact OPPOSITE. Folks would be fearful that she’d be TOO serious. The politics around BW with natural hair is that she is a free woman, a self-aware woman and she will not be controlled.
Black people we can be so petty. Michelle will always be a Queen whether she has her hair in a Afro or its straighten.
The inhibitions related to hair care actually work the other way around. I know several African women whose male elders will not let them straighten or perm their hair. Whereas, all of the Black American women I know have always been able to do whatever they want with their hair given they have the purchasing power to procure their own services, products, and styling tools. The first lady of Nigeria would never be able to keep her position and cultural identity if she made public appearances with her hair uncovered and straightened. However, Michelle Obama could go completely bald, and she will always be America's most popular and controversial FLOTUS. While I love Mrs. Chimamanda, I hate when African women say Black American women do not have freedom of choice when it comes to hair care.
Michelle Obama has the same amount of freedom with hair care as Chimamanda does. Michelle had braids at Princeton and wore her hair in so-called "natural" or less tamed styles at many points during her time in the White House. Michelle wore her hair straighter during many public appearances out of habit because that is probably how she feels comfortable. No one "made her" do anything specific with her hair.
Clearly, straighter hair frames Michelle's face better, which is why at one point she chose to wear bangs. Additionally, many American women (African American, black, and white alike) occasionally change their usual hair styles in order to express creativity. It is impossible to say what would or would not have occurred as a collective act of the general public in the past given different factors to consider. As a Black American female who supported the Obamas, I would have voted for them regardless. Several white people I know also feel that the style of Michelle's hair would not have made them more or less likely to vote for African American representatives of the Democratic Party.
I'm so very glad that you wrote this for me and others to find and read. I can't really get down with Chimamanda like a lot of other people. I think when she decides to stop backhanding the diaspora outside of the continent then maybe I can get on board, until then though, nah, I'm good.
"Clearly straighter hair frames Michelle's face better." Oh ok.
@@lillywansa5478 I find it weird how people think u can't look good with something u're naturally born with,it's just scary to me.
It's safe to sell the public hotdogs, but chittlins and rice is taking it too far.