Cher and her son Chaz at the GLAAD Awards

The internet is ablaze with claims that Cher upstaged her son Chaz’s award presentation at the GLAAD awards by showing up with a major natural. Honestly, I’m more offended at the assertion that a natural is so ridiculous, albeit they are saying it’s ridiculous because a non-black woman is wearing it.

Call me soft, but i’m not that offended. Are you? If not now, does it offend you in general when non-black women wear naturals for whatever reason?

The ladies at the Talk weighed in yesterday:

Look Like You Give a Damn? WTF?!?

Without a doubt, this is one of the most offensive ads I’ve ever seen. I would call this the definition of racism. And yet,surprisingly there was a serious debate about whether or not it was racist on YouTube; seriously what is it going to take for people to stop being afraid of uttering the word racist?!? If a severed head with an afro doesn’t do it, then what will?

To be clear, many of the ads supporters are quick to note that there was a version of the ad with a white man holding an “uncivilized” head with a beard and long hair as well. Which in my opinion is extremely disturbing as well, though less so than the severed afro head.

At the very least, this ad campaign shows the importance of having black ad executives in the room when these decisions are made. And, it’s important that there are diverse black perspectives involved. As you’ll see below, not all black men find it offensive. At some point in the creative process, the afro ad should have been stopped. But, because there was no one there willing to speak up or in a position of power to stop it, it went out-to the detriment of Nivea’s customers that look similar to the severed heads they are trying to portray as “uncivilized” as well as the company itself, since they now have to quickly live down the stigma this ad series has created. The company quickly pulled the black ad after only one placement in Esquire Magazine. It all could have been easily avoided. And, for the short time it was being advertised, it gave young black boys (and girls), and all of us really, one more image that says black hair is illegitimate and irrelevant. It is serious, inappropriate and a major problem.

Here are two different perspectives from Black men on the ad:

Response from the “Uncivilized” Consumer

Nivea Isn’t Racist

These two very different voices echo the fact that the Black Community is not a monolithic group. We have different opinions and ways of seeing the world. So, we should not always be expected to rise up together to respond against these ads. There needs to be diverse points of view on the front end to make sure these types of “mistakes” aren’t made. I’m very happy to see that this ad debate has moved outside of the black community and there are some white people that found it offensive for the same reasons I do.

What do you think? Is the black ad more offensive than the white ad?

Weigh in.

Hina

When a friend sent me a clip of these self-described Japanese b-girls celebrating all things young, black and Hip Hop, I was truly blown away by just how far hip-hop’s reach is. I for one think it’s a positive thing, but wanted to get your opinions. With phrases like, “Black people look so great and stylish,” I can’t help but be flattered. But then there’s the “When we wear it, it looks vulgar but not with black people” remark that leaves a question mark on my face. They even tan!

I do find it really interesting that Hina became interested in black culture after her hair took on a “frizzier” texture. Perhaps there’s more that binds us than just Hip Hop music? What’s interesting is that it took me seeing these Japanese b-girls embrace our style to start thinking about who they are outside of the images I see of them marketed on our airwaves. I’m delighted to see the diverse sizes, hairstyles and clothes the Japanese people rock and I want to know more! One thing is for sure, I’m feeling those braids Hina! Get it!

What do you all think? Is Hip Hop’s influence helping promote positive black beauty overseas more than it hurts?

Weigh in.

Great news: I’m switching to Gain (sorry Tide it was good while it lasted)! Gain definitely earned it’s place as a HairPolitik Highlight, a company or organization that adds positive images in the media of black women and their hair, particularly naturals. And, because they are embracing me and my style, I’m embracing their new scents. I applaud the new Gain commercial, which takes place in a black hair salon and features model Tomiko Fraser Hines and the voice of Wanda Sykes. Show Gain some love via their facebook page and check out Tomiko’s Youtube vlog and facebook page. And of course, much love to Tomiko’s stylist, Felicia Leatherwood of Loving Your Hair with Natural Care.

Transcript: “Would you ever pick your style off a salon wall? Not in a million years. Inspired by all who challenge the same old thing comes Gain Icy Fresh Fizz, in other scents that are like you, anything but ordinary.”

Check out the video HERE.

Check out other Vloggers’ Views Here:

Natural Hair in the Media

Knotty and Nice

Chenise Lewis

Kinky Like Me

I Love My Fro (featuring a very candid interview with Tomiko!)

By: Mane Man

It looks like guys now-a-days are looking back to samurai culture for hair tips.  Yesterday, in an article titled Spare a Hair Band? A Man Bun to Go, the New York Times reported that a new trend of the “Man Bun” is emerging.  It looks to me that the style is reminiscent of the historical “topknot” hairstyle worn by samurai warriors.

I’ve actually seen this style worn before by rock stars and athletes but now it seems that everyday guys are adopting the “Man Bun” as an easy go-to style.  It’s worth mentioning that I haven’t seen any curly or kinky-haired dudes rocking the “Man Bun”…well not yet at least.  For more on the trend, check out this article from Gothamist.

What do you think? Yay or nay?

By: Mane Man

Packaging: I feel like Shea Moisture really got it right with the package design. It’s simple, to the point and very nondescript which are things I really appreciate in a design. The label is a cool, burnt orange color which reads a little more masculine than some of their other labels (such as the Curl Enhancing Smoothie). Thumbs up.

Consistency: This is a true sugar scrub, so the mixture tends to clump and harden at times, which is my only real qualm about the product. The good news is that at a slight hint of hot water, the product just melts away.

Smell: A while back I tried Shea Moisture’s Deep Treatment Masque for my hair and did not like the smell.  I seriously thought I had some weird aversion to frankincense & myrrh.  That is until I found this stuff. I don’t know what it is about this scrub, but I love the smell.  I smell a lot of shea in this mix and its supported by the argan oil, frankincense and myrrh.  In the shower or bath, the smell swarmed around me leaving me feeling pretty indulged and relaxed.  The scent is definitely a plus!

Price:  I got this product at the Bryant Park Holiday Market pop up store in November.  At that time, luckily for me there were running a 3 for $20 special!  Normally Shea Moisture’s products run about 10 bucks each, making them a consistently good value for cruelty free, ethically traded, sustainable products. When it comes to value, Shea Moisture is where it’s at.

Overall Impression: To be honest, I think using a scrub regularly takes a bit too much thought for me.  Between doing that and taming the fro, I would be showering for about an hour if I used it regularly. But a few weeks ago I discovered that the best use of this scrub for me is to drop a palm-ful into a hot bath.  Yes, men takes baths…on occassion.  When I’m feeling particularly tense or  sore a hot bath is the best remedy.  During the Winter months, I rely on baths a lot more and letting some of this dissolve in the tub water is pure magic.  You get all the benefits of the shea butter and argan oil without the mess of using the scrub. The only downside to this, if there really is one, is that the smell lingered on my towel for some time…then again, I didn’t mind at all!

By Guest Vlogger: Chescaleigh

This is by far the funniest and most brilliant YouTube video I’ve ever seen about Hair Politics! You NEED to watch this! Enjoy!

By: Jor-El a.k.a. Mane Man

During the holidays I was visiting with my mother and we had some discussion about MANE MAN and the whole natural hair community in general. I found that even as a young guy, I have become very connected to the community and I discovered that my mother had not been exposed to a lot of the information that I had about natural hair, transitioning and different product ingredients and their effects.  As we sat there in conversation all I could wonder was, is there a natural hair generation gap?

I think it’s probably fair to say that there have always been women who have worn their hair natural throughout history. However, in the most recent years we’ve seen a huge trend of many more young women embracing not only natural hair, but a more natural lifestyle and this trend has largely been bolstered by the internet and social media.  Just look around on Twitter’s hashtags #naturalhair or #teamnatural and you’ll connect to thousands of folks discussing the phenomenon of natural hair.  Unfortunately, it seems that the lack of exposure to many of these internet based resources has been keeping people like my mother and others in her age group from making more informed decisions about chemical treatments they have used for years.  I spent some time introducing my mother to some quality natural hair care sites in hopes that she will continue her exploration further.  While her initial reaction was strongly receptive, I’m worried that without the regular support of the community she may not take the next step in her journey.  People in my mother’s age group aren’t used to spending hours per day on the computer using Twitter and Facebook to receive new information like we do.

So my question is, how do we get them involved?

By: Sherrell the Organic Beauty Vixen (OBV)

I’ll be hopping on a plane Thursday morning to spend out my last few weeks of 2011 on the beach in Santa Monica. This weekend was stressful after planning and executing a successful “Cupcakes and Champagne” event with some of my closest friends. Check us out toasting to the celebration of a sisterhood, prosperity and a whole lot of bubbly and treats.

Every year I set New Year’s resolutions that I don’t keep within the next two weeks. But this year I plan to do things differently and actually create a strategy for accomplishing my goals.

Setting goals for ourselves allows us to have productivity in our lives and always striving for perfection in all areas of our lives. When we don’t plan we simply exist and allow life to just take over.

My girl Sadie said something so profound to me the other day as we were driving when she stated, “No one is going to come and hand you your dream life. You have to go get it.” How many of us wait around waiting for some knight in shining armour to take care of all our problems, pay our way and make the world full of cotton candy and sugar canes?

I’ve been guilty on those days I just didn’t want to get out of bed, answer the phone or deal with anyone. But then I have to force myself to be productive. Here are a few things that I plan to improve on over the next year starting today. Write out your list of goals, how you will get there and what your success will look like.

Fitness

Goal – Loose 10lbs by March

Steps – Create a weekly schedule of exercise activities, reach out to accountability partner, track food and exercise habits, track weight.

Success – Met goal weight, increased energy, habit developed of regular exercise

Finances

Goal – Decrease debt by 50% in 2012 and improve financial management skills

Steps – Utilize tools like Mint.com to keep track of spending. Become financially intelligent by reading and applying financial management books and tools. Meet with a financial planner to organize and execute financial goals.

Success – Debt goal met, IRA set up, and emergency fund created.

Career

Goal – Execute business plan structure to launch new products, services, events and relationships.

Steps – Build strategic partnerships, develop power team of supporters, organize contracts and milestones, develop strategic marketing plan for success.

Success – 6 events successfully executed, product line launched, 60% increase in new client relationships.

What are you goals in 2012 and how will you be working to reach them? Please share your thoughts with me!

Love and Beauty,

OBV

Introducing Mane Man Mondays! Stop by HairPolitik.com every Monday to read Jor-El’s latest take on all things hair. Is one day not enough to fill your appetite for the modern man’s perspective on hair? Check out his Mane Man Blog for more.

Jor-El a.k.a. Mane Man

Product junkie-ism is a terrible plague that affects many women and men across the globe.  Without warning it can strike and hit you hard where it counts…your wallet.  I like to consider myself reformed but the truth is I have (subtly) reigned in my rampant product junkie-ism with 5 simple secrets.  Here’s how I did it:

• Spend wisely.  Set up a monthly budget for products and don’t deviate!  I have even taken the extra effort to only take cash with me to the store to avoid swiping my card for more than I originally intended.  Seriously, if it smells good and is mostly natural…I’m a total sucker.
• “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”  If you find a product that you love and your mane responds well to it…stick with it! Don’t break the bank trying all new sorts of products if what you have works!
• Jot it down!  Write a list of products that you have seen and read about and make a rule to only purchase (x) many products in (x) amount of time.  A new product per month or one per paycheck seems to work for me.
• Get your family and friends involved.  Let people know of your new goal and help yourself by asking them to help keep you accountable.  They’ll give you the strength to resist when you start to waver in your commitment.
• Take pride in small victories!  Even resisting trying a new chapstick can be a major product junkie-ism success.  Celebrate every victory no matter how big or small (just not by buying new product). Slowly raise the ante and you’ll be impressed with what you can avoid spending your money on.  I guarantee it!