Fired for having natural hair?

 

If you haven't already read about Rhonda Lee, she is a meteorologist  working in Shreveport Louisiana. She was fired for responding to a criticism via Facebook about her hair. She alleges that her appearance had been an issue previously. He employer claim that she broke with company policy when she responded. Her response was professional, polite and unapologetic.

The viewer (Emmitt Vascocu) wrote:

 “the black lady that does the news is a very nice lady. the only thing is she needs to wear a wig or grow some more hair. im not sure if she is a cancer patient. but still its not something myself that i think looks good on tv….”

Ms. Lee responded:

“Hello Emmitt—I am the 'black lady' to which you are referring. I’m sorry you don't like my ethnic hair…. I am very proud of my African-American ancestry which includes my hair. For your edification: traditionally our hair doesn’t grow downward. It grows upward…. I’m very proud of who I am and the standard of beauty I display. Women come in all shapes, sizes, nationalities, and levels of beauty. Showing little girls that being comfortable in the skin and HAIR God gave me is my contribution to society. Little girls (and boys for that matter) need to see that what you look like isn't a reason to not achieve their goals.”

The same station recently fired a white male for the same offense. 
He is openly homosexual and defended himself as well.

Her employees say she violated the same policy in a incident where a viewer alleged that all the children involved in a particular broadcast were of color. Ms. Lee asked to see the policy she had violated in writing and was told that it wasn't written down. She is currently suing her former employers.

The viewer later wrote, "you are very right to be proud of where you are from and I do respect that" and publicly apologized to Lee.

This isn't the first time that Lee's hairstyle has affected her job. "I've even had a news director once say that my hair was too aggressive for Sacramento, so I wasn't even allowed to interview at that point," she told CNN. 

I'm inclined to believe that being fired for violating a policy that doesn't exist in writing had more to do with her unapologetic pride in her ethnicity and less to do with her very polite FB comments. What do you think?

You can sign a petition here, to try and have Ms. Lee reinstated.

Product Review - Beautiful Textures Moisture Butter Whipped Creme

I recently tried the Moisture Butter by Beautiful Textures. I used a sample from my CurlKit.



I found the butter moisturizing and it provided a good shine. I used it on a head full of two-strand twists. I did not really enjoy the scent, I thought it was a strong flowery, fruity smell. The scent isn't over powering or harsh, just not my taste.



I have seen Beautiful textures in Sally's Beauty Supply so it is widely available. I think the $7.00 for 8 oz price is reasonable, considering I used just one side of a two-sided sample. My hair had been previously washed, conditioned, moisturized and worn in a puff. I wet it down with a spray bottle and used the Moisture Butter to make my two-strand twists, so I may have needed more had it been freshly washed.

Product Diet ends

I had promised my self that I would not purchase another product until I used what I had. I have/had a LOT of products!

I have gone back on that promise by purchasing a CurlKit. I rationalize that it is research for my product relaunch so I can be included in a future CurlKit but the truth is I was excited to see the pink box and all the product within. I think that companies like this (CurlKit, CurlBox) are a great way for the newly natural to try a variety of products full and sample sized without spending a great deal of money. The kit is $20 and mine contained 3 full sized samples, 3 small bottle samples and 3 XXL ketchup packet samples.

I look forward to playing with all my new product and keeping my money in my pocket.

I do plan to also patronize CurlBox also :)

My unboxing video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=km6NclC3w5Y&sns=em

CurlKit Site: www.CurlKit.com

Lilla Rose Flexi Clip product review

I recieved this product from Napptural Roots magazine to review. I like it very much. It is a flexible loop with a decorative broach in the center and an attached stick for a closure. I find these worked really well to hold the top portion of twists and twist-outs up. I suspect the FlexiClip would work well on locks too.

The thing I found most exciting is the range of sizes. The FlexiClip goes up in size from Mini to Extra Large and Mega. Many naturals struggle with finding hair accessories that can accommodate the bulk of our hair. Medium could not take my entire head of hair but I think extra large.

I found most designs were sedate enough for daily wear or the workplace. The product range in price from $10 to $26 depending on size and design. The clips appear and feel very well constructed. I think the moderately priced one are a good value.

Event Announcement

This is a shameless post to get free goodies. I am shame free. ;)

Original Moxie Product Review with Derby City Naturals(video)

This is what happens when YouTubers/ Bloggers meet in real life.

Notice the Before & After hair

Products Review - Itiba beauty products

I am now a product reviewer for Naptural Roots magazine!

The first products I am reviewing are Itiba lotion, body soap and hair and body oil. The first product is the lotion I had both Carib Lime and Papaya scents. The lotion is smooth, rich and thorughly infused with scent. I loved it on my skin. The scent is strong initially but mellowed without fading away totally.

This product retails for $7.00 for an 4 oz bottle and $14 for an 8 oz bottle. It comes in four other scents. I think this is a reasonable price for the value.

Next, Hair and Body oil in Midnight Rain scent. I was suprised at how light this oil felt. It left no greasy residue and felt so wonderful on my skin that I was excited about using it on my hair and scalp. The scent was like the lotion in that it was completly infused and strong but faded to and acceptable level after a short time on the skin.

Last, the body soap in Crucian Spice. The soap produced a rich foamy lather, it was not drying and had the same perfect level of scent as the previous two products.

The soap is made with palm, rice bran, castor, and coconut oils along with shea butter. It comes in six scents. I even used it on my face. The body soap retails for $5.00 for a 5 oz bar.

Look who's on Essence.com!

After the wonderful National Natural Hair Meetup event with Derby City Naturals, I was elated to learn that the event was going to be on Essence.com.

All the ladies looked fabulous and deserved to be seen! Here is the link to the slide show: http://photos.essence.com/galleries/street_style_hair__derby_city_naturals#!1350653

Below is the picture of me. :)

Happy Father's Day

Help a natural in need

2kurly4u

Our reader Harriot writes:

I'm new to the haircare scene.  I've been trying to find how to make 2kurly4u's (YouTube) shampoo and the aloe gro solution. The videos are removed.  Can you help me out?  I hear its good for thinning hair.  Mine is in some serious need.

I'm trying the Jamaican Black Castor oil right now.  It seems a little heavy but I'm continuing with it.  This summer when I'm off work I'll try the baggie method to increase moisturization.  Yes, I sure would like for you to post an inquiry for the 2kurly4u's shampoo and the aloe gro treatment.  I tried emailing her but I didn't get a response.

If anyone has the recipe or can contact 2kurly4u please help Harriot out. :)

All other advice is also eagerly accepted below.

5 things I am not doing to my Lil KnapsGirl...

I've been noticably absent from the blog getting used to being a mother. My daughter is now six months old, she was born with a full head of hair. I take care of her hair but I don't:
-try to type her hair
It's not long enough to really style. The moisturizer I use works so there is no need.

-try to "really" style her hair
If she has on a headband or a barrette she's fine, she's a baby.

-compare her hair to anyone else's
Not even mine, she is an individual and her hair is individual too.

-try to maintain/prolong her baby texture
It is what it is, it will be what it will be.

-get overly excited everytime someone compliments me on the length of her hair
She can pick up on that and I don't want her learning that hair length is important before she can walk, talk, read or count.

Her hair is styled with a spritz made from water, Coils by Nature Shealoe Leave-In Conditioner and coconut oil.

"Crazy, wild and wacky hair"

Lalaloopsy has crazy, wild and wacky hair that you can bend any way you want!

I recently saw a television commercial for a doll with bendable hair. My first thought was, "This will be great for little natural hair girls". I continued watching as her hair was made into tight curls and big waves standing in a halo away from her head. My heart swelled as I imagined my lil knapsgirl playing with one in the future, then I heard the voice-over, "crazy, wild and wacky hair".


"...lots of silly styles."
I'm immediately tired. The constant microaggresions against textured hair even extend to dolls. I shouldn't be surprised our society takes every opportunity to let children of color know they aren't "normal". The message was clear to me people with hair that can stand out from their head, hair that is tightly curled is "crazy, wild and wacky hair".

I just thought their hair was cute and curly.

Thank God It's Natural Product Review

I was sent three sample sized products from the Thank God Its Natural line to review. This product line is from the author of the book Thank God I’m Natural: The Ultimate Guide to Caring for and Maintaining Natural Hair by Chris-Tia Donaldson.

Wild Lemongrass Olive oil Soap with Shea butter

If you enjoy the scent of lemongrass (I do) this soap smell heavenly. It is uber moisturizing and makes a luxurious scented lather.The soap is Paraben and Phtlate free, vegan, not tested on animals and comes in Ginger Peach and White Tea and Hibiscus scents

I give this soap 5 of 5 Knaps, without knowledge of pricing.

Organic Shea Butter

This product is exactly what is says shea butter. It has no added scent, so has the characteristic smokey, earthy scent of shea. The butter appears whipped or blended in some way that renders the shea creamy and easily handled.The source of the shea butter is a cooperative helping empower women with competitive wages.

I give it 4 of 5 Knaps because I like my product scented and wtihout knowledge of pricing.

Peppermint Lip Balm with Shea Butter

The peppermint is cooling and refreshing but I found the balm a bit waxy. I had just tested a similar product that comes in a pot and found it much more moisturizing by comparison.

I give it 3 of 5 Knaps, without knowledge of pricing.

They are currently having a sale on the shea butter:

And the Winner Is....

Charnesia wins the Design Essential Naturals Line in an adorable Design Essentials tote bag!

These folks were too close to go without mention.

Those chosen for honorable mention will receive a jar of Lil Better Butter with Tea Tree Oil.

Everyone looked great!

Sh*t relaxed girls say to natural girls

Couldn't keep this to myself:



"Why you not running?!" *dead*




I'm SO guilty.



"Get yo' Erykah Badu ass outta here, go get you a window seat, I'll see you next lifetime." *climbing out of the grave to die again*

Silky Wraps Review

  

Girls Sleep Bonnet

 
Roxy at Silky Wraps was kind enough to send her product to us for review. I wore the bonnet to cover a twist-out right before the new year. I received the bonnet pictured above with a beautiful black with white polka dot  lining. Here are the products claims from the site:

Silky Wraps is a modern collection of stylish head wraps & bonnets designed to maintain healthy hair for a variety of hair textures.
Hair Wrap:
- Protects hair from moisture loss.
-Helps preserve your style as you sleep and play.
-Adjustable.
-Generously sized to cover nape and edges.
-Durable and comfortable.
-Suitable for all hair types.
You worked hard to get your style, now protect it with Silky Wraps 

This bonnet does everything it claims and in addition will looks adorable on your little KnapsGirl with the optional ribbon closure.

After two days of wear, My twist-out was preserved without being "squished", It has a more substantial feel than other beauty supply satin bonnets I've owned. I assume the heavier feel will translate to better life in the washer. There are more sedate designs for ladies but I was happy with the rainbow butterflies. :) Roxy also makes wraps for relaxed hair. The wraps cost $19.95 each, that being said and regular readers knowing how cheap thrifty I am, I have found that in this area, it is good to make an investment. I have bought countless beauty supply satin bonnets and long rectangular scarves and they have added up to more than $20 before the year was over (they only seem to make it few months in the washer). I purchased a similar product( at the same price) and never looked back. The only drawback I did find was that the rippled bonnets edge may leave an impression on the forehead. Silky Wraps informes me that it is available with a flat edge. When you decide, in my humble opinion, think carefully about how active your little one is while asleep.

Classic Diva Wrap - review here

I give Silky Wraps 5 of 5 Knaps 

because of:

-the beautiful colors ( appealing to girls)

-good quality (kids do put things through a test)

-competitive pricing with similar quality items

Follow this blog to win our next contest, the prize will be a Silky Wrap!