And the winner is . . .
Two things drew more controversy during Sunday’s 84th Academy Awards program than the actual Oscar winners. One was presenter Angelina Jolie’s on-stage leg flash. The other was Viola Davis’ hair. The media attention paid to those issues was as diverse as the two women who garnered the hype.
Jolie’s leg, strategically positioned through the thigh-high split in her black Atelier Versace gown was – and continues to be – fodder for clever talk show hosts, facetious news anchors and sharp-tongued comedians. On the other hand Davis’ decision to wear her au naturel hairstyle to the awards program is the hottest topic among African Americans since Bobby Brown’s sudden departure at Whitney Houston’s funeral.
Hair is not only an undisputable moneymaker in the black community, it is also often a source of contention between those who choose to wear their hair straightened or woven with extensions and those who sport natural styles like dreads, twists or afros.
Many “natural” women believe that chemically straightening or wearing extravagant wigs or weaves is strictly a vanity driven practice inspired by a European standard for beauty; and unless a woman suffers from alopecia or some other medical condition, most females can look presentable wearing their own neatly combed hair.
Countless black women bust their budgets buying hair, because they are more concerned about being seen by others as attractive – based primarily on their hair texture and length — than they are worried about the financial costs of hiding the real deal.
Overall, women who wear naturals don’t try to impose their own preference on others. But some do believe that – personal choice aside — a lack of self-esteem may be the reason that numerous black women who were born with kinky hair would rather be caught dead than without long, free flowing, store bought or naturally grown straight hair. Or perhaps they fear being ostracized by people like talk show host Wendy Williams who has been catching flack from blacks and whites over comments she made about Viola Davis’ choice to wear her natural to the Oscars.
This post is not a condemnation of black women who wear store bought hair or straighten their own mane – whether it is the elegant First Lady Michelle Obama, your next door neighbor, or you. But those who are happy to be nappy proudly applaud Davis, who – at the high point of her career – chose to step out au naturel and show the world that she is comfortable with who she is. When you have self-esteem and self-confidence, you don’t worry about seeking public approval nor fending-off condemnation for going natural.
By Hollywood standards some would consider Davis’ lovely pecan complexion, short kinky hair and Afrocentric features unattractive. Nevertheless, she has scored high points with her natural wearing peers and those who “wanna-be,” but for whatever reason choose not to go there. Numerous black men and women with whom I have spoken have nothing but praise and kudos for the courageous best actress nominee from The Help. She is an intelligent and classy woman who with or without a wig looks every bit the black beauty that she is.
I repeat, this is not a put-down of straight hair wearing sisters. It is merely praise for a star who was brave enough to step out of her comfort zone. So, if you need an attitude adjustment, check it; because the bottom line is — when the woman in the mirror is you, how you choose to wear your hair is your choice.