Black hair is beautiful—it comes in various textures, lengths and colors. But sometimes social media has a way of adding negatively, making us feel less than our normal amazing selves. Recently, Blue Ivy’s hair was under fire, as social media proclaimed it was “unkempt” and that Beyonce and Jay Z should comb it. We asked Cynthia Bailey, Kim Kimble, Chenoa Maxwell, Tomiko Frasier Hines, Soledad O’Brien and Wendy Raquel Robinson at our Empowerment Beauty of Confidence panel to comment on the blacklash. Here’s what our leading ladies had to say:
Cynthia Bailey: “I have a big problem when children are tormented. We need to leave children’s hair alone. If I want to put [my daughter] Noel’s hair in an afro and not comb it for a year, that’s my child and it’s not anyone’s problem. Blue is [Jay Z and Beyonce’s baby] I think she’s beautiful and I don’t even look at her hair. I turn up when it comes to kids.”
Kim Kimble: “We have so many different textures and types. I love the natural movement, because I feel like we’re finally discovering our hair. Great hair equals confidence, but we really need to stop criticizing each other.”
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Chenoa Maxwell: “For a long time I thought I was something more because of my hair. But, it’s about finding your inner confidence. You do your best by being your best and by grooming yourself. At the end of the day, its’ about feeling good and empowering others, not criticizing.”
Tomiko Frasier Hines: “My boys have hair just like Blue Ivy’s and I want someone to tell me that their hair is nappy and not right. I’m from the Bronx and I will fight you! Lets talk about how beautiful this little girl is instead of her hair. It’s 2014, move on!”
Soledad O’Brien: “I have daughters who are 12 and 13 who have beautiful hair—because it’s healthy. But, you really have to love what you have and ignore the people who want to weigh in on it. Ignore the people and say ‘you don’t get a vote!”
Wendy Raquel Robinson: “It’s okay to express yourself however you feel you want to express yourself. But, I have a huge problem when children are criticized for their hair. It’s really just ignorance. We need to show by example and live out loud. Be proud and educate by showing others what we need to do.”
What do you think? Is it fair to comment on a child’s hair?