RantRantBloodyRant
Apr. 26th, 2003 04:31 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
neverwhereWhy oh WHY does everyone pick on curly hair!?
Tonight on American Idol that bastard Simon told Kimberly: 'Ever since you got rid of that weird hair you've been so much better'. ARRGHHH!
Weird?? WEIRD? No, Simon, you tosser, it's CURLY -- big, beautiful, black curly hair, that had more PERSONALITY and looked a billion times better than the flat ironed, CONFORMIST hairdo she is now wearing -- which no doubt Simon the Sheep Shagger told her (sorry, advised) to change it to, because it was 'better'. More normal. More tame and BORING. And, let's be honest here, white. Where is that gorgeous curly afro Kimberly once had? When I first saw her I was absolutely in awe of her stunning, monumentally huge hair, which was big and bouncy and vibrant, just like her. When I don't tame my hair with styling products it becomes an unmanageable curly mess, a large, gravity defying Jewfro that looks nothing like the perfect kinky curls or bouncy ringlets I see on the afro-carribean women that I envy so much. And I fell in love with Kimberly's curls right away. Here, I thought, was an outstandingly talented girl that I could emulate in so many ways --- same body shape, same vocal range (though, very sadly, not ability -- only a few people on earth are gifted with her vocal prowess), same hair. If she could make it, there was hope for me.
Now, I know what you're thinking. Why the hell should hair matter so much? Well, trust me, it does. Everyone with curly hair will understand my pain, my incredible frustration with the rest of the world. If you have curly hair, it's a nightmare. You can't ever just wake up in the morning and leave the house, unless you want to look like Sasquatch or you just fell in a briar patch. Every fashion magazine tells you that your hair is wrong, that you need to straighten it and be normal. I once read an absolutely diabolical article detailing how people with curly hair do not come across as 'trustworthy' or 'serious enough', and that if you had curly hair you were twice as likely to be turned down for a job than if you had straight. Celebrities are told that they are not attractive enough with their natural curls, which is why people like Minnie Driver, who has some of the most enviable curls in the world, constantly straightens her hair and looks terrible -- her curls are supposed to distract the eye from her broad jaw and pointed chin, and without them she looks like a troll. But time and time again, these beautiful people are sacrificing a part of themselves in order to conform with how they think society wants them to be perceived. And so that brings us back to Simon 'The Only Dates I Can Get I Have To Pay For' Cowell and his insensitive and thoroughly ignorant comment. I hate Kimberly's new look, and I especially hate that this is how she thinks she has to be seen in order to be successful. *I* don't want to change my look, though god knows I'm constantly being told I have to. I am sick and tired of being told I'm a fucking Cabbage Patch Doll and that I need to alter my look if I want to get anywhere in life. I don't WANT to change, I think my hair is quirky and fun and a part of who I am. And Kimberly, so should you.
Curly hair is BEAUTIFUL, dammit! Stop trying to deny who you are! Embrace your curls! Please, for all of us who suffer in silence, embrace your curls.
Tonight on American Idol that bastard Simon told Kimberly: 'Ever since you got rid of that weird hair you've been so much better'. ARRGHHH!
Weird?? WEIRD? No, Simon, you tosser, it's CURLY -- big, beautiful, black curly hair, that had more PERSONALITY and looked a billion times better than the flat ironed, CONFORMIST hairdo she is now wearing -- which no doubt Simon the Sheep Shagger told her (sorry, advised) to change it to, because it was 'better'. More normal. More tame and BORING. And, let's be honest here, white. Where is that gorgeous curly afro Kimberly once had? When I first saw her I was absolutely in awe of her stunning, monumentally huge hair, which was big and bouncy and vibrant, just like her. When I don't tame my hair with styling products it becomes an unmanageable curly mess, a large, gravity defying Jewfro that looks nothing like the perfect kinky curls or bouncy ringlets I see on the afro-carribean women that I envy so much. And I fell in love with Kimberly's curls right away. Here, I thought, was an outstandingly talented girl that I could emulate in so many ways --- same body shape, same vocal range (though, very sadly, not ability -- only a few people on earth are gifted with her vocal prowess), same hair. If she could make it, there was hope for me.
Now, I know what you're thinking. Why the hell should hair matter so much? Well, trust me, it does. Everyone with curly hair will understand my pain, my incredible frustration with the rest of the world. If you have curly hair, it's a nightmare. You can't ever just wake up in the morning and leave the house, unless you want to look like Sasquatch or you just fell in a briar patch. Every fashion magazine tells you that your hair is wrong, that you need to straighten it and be normal. I once read an absolutely diabolical article detailing how people with curly hair do not come across as 'trustworthy' or 'serious enough', and that if you had curly hair you were twice as likely to be turned down for a job than if you had straight. Celebrities are told that they are not attractive enough with their natural curls, which is why people like Minnie Driver, who has some of the most enviable curls in the world, constantly straightens her hair and looks terrible -- her curls are supposed to distract the eye from her broad jaw and pointed chin, and without them she looks like a troll. But time and time again, these beautiful people are sacrificing a part of themselves in order to conform with how they think society wants them to be perceived. And so that brings us back to Simon 'The Only Dates I Can Get I Have To Pay For' Cowell and his insensitive and thoroughly ignorant comment. I hate Kimberly's new look, and I especially hate that this is how she thinks she has to be seen in order to be successful. *I* don't want to change my look, though god knows I'm constantly being told I have to. I am sick and tired of being told I'm a fucking Cabbage Patch Doll and that I need to alter my look if I want to get anywhere in life. I don't WANT to change, I think my hair is quirky and fun and a part of who I am. And Kimberly, so should you.
Curly hair is BEAUTIFUL, dammit! Stop trying to deny who you are! Embrace your curls! Please, for all of us who suffer in silence, embrace your curls.
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no subject
Date: 2003-04-26 12:22 pm (UTC)*angry Delirium-face*
Reminds me a lot of "White Teeth", actually - the bit where Clara and Archie's daughter (forgotten her name) gets her hair straightened, and gets this fantastic bollocking from niece-of-shame, about how she has gorgeous gorgeous hair and she's a) wrecked it, and b) is exploiting the fact that some poor Asian woman has had to sell *her* hair to get by. Niece-of-shame is one of my favourite characters anyway, and I especially love that bit... :)
Oh, I adore that book. Have you read it? Oh, and have you read "Nervous Conditions" by Tsitsi Dangarembga? It's barely connected at all but I think you'd like it, anyway. :)
Your hair is *fantastic*. I love it! It's beautiful hair. Fashion magazines are just all pillocks. There can be hardly a person on the planet that they wouldn't find something wrong with - and would treat it like a condition, rather than just glorious diversity. I don't read the things any more - they make me feel yucky. Life's just too short for all that!
I haven't been watching American Idol, but I can just imagine what you describe going on... ick! The crazy thing is, that if Simon asked Kimberly to do something to lighten her skin there would - quite rightly be an outcry. And people don't in general see a connection there. The hair thing seems to be one of the few still-acceptable facets of racism. Gah. :( :( :(
Things that we need more of: Beyonce Knowles's fantastic Afro in Goldmember (didn't she look gorgeous?) and hobbit-fancying. They're a start, anyways. :)
*grin* my hair is just crazy-wavy. It won't do cunning curls like yours as it's too fine. Wish it would. And those of my friends with dead straight hair *all* want it to be curlier. *shakes head* what the hell would Simon know about beauty anyway??
*huggggggggggggggggs and hobbit-love*
Ellyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
no subject
Date: 2003-04-26 12:41 pm (UTC)*laughs*
What does Simon know about beauty anyway! SOD ALL, that's what! It's obvious from his choice of 'ladyfriends' that he thinks peroxide blonde and plasticine is the ideal. Wanker.
I LOVED Foxxy's afro! All her outfits and hairstyles were fabulous, but only the afro screamed 'BadAssMoFoWithBetterStyleThanYou'. *giggles* ;-)
Simon might as well have said Kim had 'nappy' hair -- it's obvious he doesn't think african hair can be beautiful. *snarls*
I haven't read White Teeth, but if you recommend it, I will. *smooooooooooooooooooch* :))
no subject
Date: 2003-04-26 12:39 pm (UTC)Re:
Date: 2003-04-26 12:43 pm (UTC)I've always longed for more conformist hair too. It's only very recently that I've come to accept my hair as being interesting and beautiful, and that straight isn't the only 'normal' hair. It's all the media's fault! We need to start a curlyhair revolution. *grins*
no subject
Date: 2003-04-26 02:48 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-04-26 07:11 pm (UTC)I've never seen Simon's new girlfriend, I just assumed she was another ex-lapdancer/stripper with peroxide blonde hair and a plastic bosom. I'm actually very suprised to hear that she has curly hair, because he's never liked any contestants with curls -- he turned away some fantastic people on Pop Idol because he didn't like their 'look', and surprise suprise, they had big bouncey curls. Stupid git.
no subject
Date: 2003-04-26 03:21 pm (UTC)I have no idea what this person you're talking about looks like (the quote is ridiculous anyway: how could her hair have changed her performance?) but I think curly hair is lovely, and am especially fond of afro hair. How can curly hair be considered 'abnormal'? I am literally stunned at the stupidity of some people. I seriously never knew that curly haired people have this problem!
no subject
Date: 2003-04-26 04:16 pm (UTC)>I seriously never knew that curly haired people have this problem!
Believe me, we do.
People just don't take you seriously when you have curls, it's such a stupid, irrational thing, but it's definitely there. And it frustrates me so much. Rawr.
no subject
Date: 2003-04-26 04:39 pm (UTC)By the way, I found you through the adrienbrody community. You're a co-founder, so I am indebted to you. *bows down* Also, you seem like a cool, interesting person. May I add you to my friends list?
no subject
Date: 2003-04-26 07:07 pm (UTC)Hiya!
Of course I know who you are (I look out for all my Brodygirlies ;-) and of course you may add me! *hugs*
And yes, I am rather amazing, aren't I. *smug grin* ('Seem' cool? Nay! Verily, I am the brightest star that doth shine in the celestial temple of Cool. :)
no subject
Date: 2003-04-26 07:11 pm (UTC)I stand corrected! XD
no subject
Date: 2003-04-26 07:22 pm (UTC)*preens*
Please, call me Nevvie! Everyone does. *bounces happily* :D
no subject
Date: 2003-04-26 09:30 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-04-26 06:32 pm (UTC)Maybe I'm just lucky, because my hair is thin enough to be manageable. But I'm glad I have it. It adds to my personality, and it makes me happy. I've heard more than once that I wouldn't be me without my hair.
Of course, I've never paid attention to fashion magazines, what's in vogue, or what anyone else had to say about fashion ever, so.
But that's what I think, anyway.
no subject
Date: 2003-04-26 07:02 pm (UTC)>I wouldn't be me without my hair.
Oh, absolutely. *nods fervently* I'm not the same person without my hobbitcurls, and I do love them -- I just wish I wasn't seen as 'unkept','outofcontrol' or any of those stupid, ignorant assumptions people seem to make about you because of your hairtype. Bleaugh.
I bet your hair is luuurvely. :)
no subject
Date: 2003-04-26 09:20 pm (UTC)I have always been complimented and teased about my hair, and I honestly think it's one of my good qualities. It's nice and curly-in-a-wavy-way and red-brown and even when it frizzes, it frizzes in that nice Pre-Raphaelite way. I'm such a Jo March in the fact I'm not that into appearances(except in a dramatic, theatrical way), but I adore my hair.
The problem is, I have such a destructive and restless personality.. I always end up chopping it off when I should grow it out! *wry grin*
If curly hair is always looked down upon (which seems to be the case in my experience), then why do women spend millions of dollars and ruin their hair in a desperate attempt to make it look like how ours does naturally? They are just jealous. Hmph. Let them be jealous. *smirk* We roxor, and you know it!
no subject
Date: 2003-04-27 08:37 am (UTC)Oooh red pre-Raphelite hair...that's what I've always wanted. *envy* :-P
Yes allright, I admit it. We rule.
*grins*
no subject
Date: 2003-04-27 01:04 am (UTC)Curls are S E X Y ! Anyone who says otherwise needs their head examined.
I almost cried when the girl who played Felicity on TV cut off her hair. Beyoncé Knowles is gorgeous, but only if she doesn't straighten her hair. And while people harped on Christina Aguilera for her look in the Moulin Rouge video, hey, that's the best THAT girl has looked in a long time. And I ain't talking about the lingerie.
Okay, the lingerie was nice too. I'm sorry, I'm a guy, and I'm only human.
My all-time favourite, though, is Amanda Marshall... for those of you who (probably Americans) who haven't heard of her, look her up on the net, or on KaZaA. She has a phenomenal voice, from the "Aretha Franklin/Janis Joplin/Whitney Houston School of Being Heard From Three Counties Away"; and Jeebus Croust... does the girl ever have CURLS! I think the reason I like her so much is that she makes virtually no effort whatsoever to try and minimize them. The cover of her second CD was a relative-close-up of her face... surrounded by a huge mane of curls. Nothing else.
But don't feel too bad about all the schmidt and abuse. I think, from talking to a whole lotta guys, that a quiet majority thinks the curls are gorgeous. I have three friends with hair like that (yes, I'd probably ask any of them to marry me, but alas... the answer would be "no",) and I've found, through talking to them all separately, that having the curls as a child brought them a lot of abuse, but also built a lot of character. As a result of the curls, they are three of the most fun-loving, outgoing, charismatic people I know.
Okay, I've said enough... But in summary, "AMEN, SISTA! Preach on!" Curls rule, no matter what some stuffy arrogant TV personality says. He's riding the laurels of his own success; just because he thinks he's right, it doesn't mean he is.
no subject
Date: 2003-04-27 08:25 am (UTC)Curly haired people really are more fun and charismatic, aren't we. *beams*
I think I've heard of Amanda Marshall -- she's Canadian, right? I'll have to look her up, I definitely like what you've described. :)
Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your thoughts with me! *hugs* :D
no subject
Date: 2003-04-28 09:12 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-04-28 11:19 am (UTC)Believe me when I say that he was so much worse on Pop Idol. (And Pop Idol had not one, but three nasty judges, the American version is so much tamer and less harsh than the original British one. Simon's still a sheep shagging tosser though. *grins* ;-)
You'd think record companies would be as sick and tired of pre-packaged, artificially enhanced products as the public are, but sadly, they just don't have a clue. *sigh*
On an entirely random note:
Date: 2003-04-28 09:53 pm (UTC)http://us.imdb.com/Title?0314301
WTF?!?! How did I not hear? What is this? Is it going to be animated or live action? They've got Mia Farrow as Molly this time instead! And Christopher Lee as King Haggard, which is too cool! but JRM isn't near gawky enough for Schmendrick. But still! What the heck is this?!?!?! *drool, drool* *wants a live action version!!!!!!!!!*
Re: On an entirely random note:
Date: 2003-04-29 09:49 am (UTC)It comes out next year!
Have you not seen the website? There are some fantastic animations of the Unicorn.
http://www.the-last-unicorn.net (I think that's right)
Re: On an entirely random note:
Date: 2003-04-30 09:54 pm (UTC)(though I still don't think JRM is gawky enough for Schmendrick. And he's not cute so much as shag-me-now-sexy...)
no subject
Date: 2003-04-28 09:57 pm (UTC)WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! *bounce bounce bounce*