Hair Politics: Black Women & The Controversial Weave

African American talk show host Tyra Banks ” the queen of the weave”,  will dedicate the premiere of her show to the  incendiary issue of the “weave.”   Banks is known for always wearing long blonde or brunette weaves.

Banks has also been criticized by the black community for being a pretentious  hypocrite and conforming to European standards of beauty.

After all, Tyra tells black women to “embrace” their blackness and “inner beauty” yet Banks has consistently tried to make herself look as “white” as possible.

Tyra is set to tackle the controversial issue of black women hair politics and she will “reveal” to the world her “real hair”.

The question remains why do black women wear weaves? What is the real reason? After all, a ” weave” is just fake hair.

Or is the issue of black women and weaves a very “serious issue”?

Are black women “trying” to be white?

Remember, for centuries black women have been ostracized by a racist and sexist western culture to believe they are “inferior” to white women.

Black hair has  been condemned and stigmatized across the world for being  too “nappy”, “coarse”, “hard to manage”.

It wasn’t until  t he 1960s with the “black power” movement that “black hair” was suddenly considered “beautiful”.

Slavery ended in North America over one hundred years ago. However, it is the only in the last thirty years that black female beauty has been considered more “palatable” to the world.

We already know black women are beautiful but do black women wear weaves to be palatable or is it just for comfort?

Black female A list  singers  Beyonce and Mary J Blige “only” wear “blonde weaves”.

Another point to consider,are Mary J and Beyonce “conforming” to whiteness?

Beyonce and Mary J rarely ever wear “brown” or “black” weaves.

Nobody asks the question why?

Is natural black hair not considered “pretty enough” or “beautiful enough” for black women to wear?

Are black men to blame for black women wearing weaves?

I guess because I am a black man, I do not understand why women regardless of their race put fake hair on their heads?

I acknowledge, since I am a black male, it is “easier” for me to deal with my hair. I simply have to visit the barber he cuts my hair and that’s it.

I also admit, black men we are not forced to accept European beauty standards. Black men we can wear short hair or shave our heads it’s no big deal.

Perhaps this is an example of “male privilege” that I have as a black man?

Why? I understand that white female stars such as Paris Hilton, Jessica Simpson, Pam Anderson, and Britney Spears wear hair extensions as well.

Is it because women feel “longer hair” makes them more desirable to heterosexual men? Is it because women feel society places “emphasis” on the length of a woman’s hair?

Serena & Venus Advance To The Fourth Round Of The Women’s US OPEN Event

Serena Williams  easily advanced to the fourth round of the 2009 US OPEN  sweeping by the Spaniard Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez 6-3 7-5.

Venus dispatched the Slovakian Magdalena Rybarikova of Slovakia in straight sets 6-2 7-5.

In the fourth round, Venus faces a tough opponent the 2005 US OPEN women’s champion Kim Clijsters of Belgium.

Clijsters blasted fellow Belgian Kirsten Flipkens 6-0 6-2.

However, the number eight seed Victoria Azarenka of Belarus was upset by the Italian woman Francesca Schiavone 4-6 6-2 6-2.

Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia also advanced she rolled over American Vania King 6-2 6-2 in straight sets. Hantuchova will face Serena in the fourth round.

The number ten seed Italian Flavia Pennetta easily destroyed Canadian Alexsandra Wozniak 6-1 6-1.  I am not sure Alexsandra Wozniak is “ready” to be a top player?

Pennetta is playing solid tennis this summer reaching the WTA top ten for the first time. However, I thought Alexsandra would of put up a stronger fight.

Yesterday, seventeen  year old Melanie Oudin of the United States  upset the number four seed Elena Dementieva of Russia 5-7 6-4 6-3.

I am surprised Oudin defeated Elena Dementieva because she blasted  Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova of the court two weeks ago in Toronto.

I don’t understand Dementieva she is so talented yet she is also so mentally weak. Dementieva was “supposed” to reach the US OPEN semifinals at least this is a shocking upset.

In the third round Oudin will play the number thirty seed Maria Sharapova of Russia tomorrow.