Will This Economic Crisis Force African-American Women Back to Natural Hair?

When Chris Rock's controversial movie, "Good Hair"also think that the majority of women are giving up
came out I was appalled. Why in the world would heother luxuries in order to meet the need of looking
send out a message to America that black women dogood.
not wear their natural hair?Hair is not the only billion-dollar industry that is taking
My anger was put to rest when I reflected on my ownwomen's money all in the name of "beauty." You have
hair experience. Although I am highly against the ideacosmetics, designer clothing, and other accessories
of putting "weave" in my hair, I have seen thethat contribute to their budget. I am sure that some
phenomenon with family and friends. It seems thatwomen have to cut back or even stop purchasing
sometime in the 90s African-American womensome of these items. Some African-American women
wanted hair down their backs. The process for addinghave started a movement professing their culture and
hair is a long procedure and the cost can range fromwearing only their natural hair, even going back to the
the 100s to 1000s of dollars depending on the texture"afros" and braids that were popular in the 1960s.
of hair. Many celebrities participate in this craze evenAlthough I am sure this movement exists, I have not
woman of other races. But I noticed Mr. Rock did notseen many of these styles in my community.
address that fact. Nevertheless due to this currentWe talk about financial topics on our weekly talk show
economic crisis, will African-American women continueon Blog Talk Radio every Sunday night at 9:00pm
to pay to have "good hair?"EST. Please join us so that we can hear your input
Personally, I stopped putting chemicals in my hair yearsregarding this topic and others. If you miss the show,
ago. But I know that hair care is a huge business and Iyou can always listen to the archive version on the
see women getting their hair "done" all the time. I knowfront page.
this recession has slowed some of them down, but I