Michelle Obama Says Us 'Wasn'T Ready' For Her Natural Black Hair
- Posted on 18 November, 2022
- Trending
- By Anonymous
Former First Lady Michelle Obama says she opted to not wear her hair natural while the Obama's were in the White House. CNN contributor Cari Champion joins CNN This Morning to discuss. #CNN #News
The FORMER FIRST LADY, MICHELLE OBAMA, REVEALING SHE CONSIDERED WEARING HER NATURAL HAIR AND BRAIDS DURING HER TIME AT THE WHITE HOUSE, BUT DECIDED THAT AMERICANS WERE N'T READY FOR HER NATURAL BLACK HAIR., LISTEN TO THE FORMER FIRST LADY. > > AS BLACK WOMEN. We DEAL WITH IT. The WHOLE THING ABOUT: DO YOU SHOW UP WITH YOUR NATURAL HAIR. BRAIDS Y'ALL., YOU KNOW, BUT WHAT -- YOU KNOW AS FIRST LADY, I DID NOT WEAR BRAIDS. BEING THE FIRST -- YEAH WE HAD TO EASE UP ON THE PEOPLE.. I THOUGHT ABOUT IT.. I WAS LIKE IT WOULD BE: EASIER. NOPE, NOPE. THEY'RE, NOT READY., > >, THE FORMER FIRST LADY SAID SHE KEPT HER HAIR STRIAIGHT, SO HER HUSBAND'S ADMINISTRATION COULD FOCUS ON OTHER ISSUES AND NOT HER HAIR.. The OBAMAS WERE COGNIZANT OF HOW MUCH ATTENTION WAS PAID TO HOW THEY LOOKED AND HOW THEY ACTED, BECAUSE THEY WERE BLACK.. They ALSO KNEW HOW POWERFUL REPRESENTATION WAS AND STILL IS.. So LIKE THIS MOMENT, THIS WAS IN 2009, WHEN A YOUNG BLACK BOY REACHED UP TO TOUCH THE PRESIDENT'S HAIR. > >. I THINK THIS PICTURE EMBODIED ONE OF THE HOPES THAT I HAVE HAD WHEN I FIRST STARTED RUNNING FOR OFFICE. YOUNG PEOPLE, PARTICULARLY AFRICAN AMERICAN PEOPLE. People OF COLOR OUTSIDERS, FOLKS, WHO MAYBE DID N'T, ALWAYS FEEL LIKE THEY BELONGED. They LOOK AT THEMSELVES DIFFERENTLY TO SEE THE PERSON WHO LOOKED LIKE THEM IN THE OVAL OFFICE.. It WOULD SPEAK TO BLACK KIDS AND LATINO KIDS, GAY KIDS, YOUNG GIRLS.. They COULD SEE THE WORLD OPEN UP FOR THEM. >, > >. Let'S TALK ABOUT THIS NOW. CNN CONTRIBUTOR AND HOST OF'' NAKED WITH CARRY CHAMPION'' JOINS US. HELLO TO YOU.. It'S A THING FOR US. This WHOLE HAIR THING.. I STRUGGLED WITH IT AS A KID.. I USED TO PROCESS MY HAIR, THE BLOWOUT - IF YOU REMEMBER THAT I DO N'T, DO IT ANYMORE.. This IS MY HAIR., BUT ESPECIALLY FOR BLACK WOMEN. It'S A THING., SO GETTING JOBS, PERCEPTION AND SO ON. So YOU DEALT WITH THAT. I'M SURE, WITH YOUR CAREER AND IN YOUR PERSONAL LIFE OVER THE YEARS, YOU RELATE TO WHAT MICHELLE OBAMA IS SAYING: > >. This IS WHY WE LOVE MICHELLE., BECAUSE VERY MUCH LIKE WHAT THE PRESIDENT SAID WHEN THAT LITTLE KID REACHED OUT TO TOUCH HIS HAIR, HE COULD RELATE TO WHO HE WAS. WHAT'S HAPPENING. Every DAY., WHEN I HEAR MICHELLE, SAY THINGS THAT RELATE TO ME AND THE LIFE I LIVED.. When I DECIDED I WANTED TO BE IN TV DON., I WAS TOLD IN NO UNCERTAIN TERMS BY THE NEWS DIRECTOR WHO HIRED ME. How WILL YOU WEAR YOUR HEAR? I REMEMBER IT LIKE IT WAS YESTERDAY. It WAS IN 2000, IT WAS IN WEST VIRGINIA AND I'M LIKE WOW, I'M GOING TO WEAR MY HAIR, HOW I WEAR MY HAIR, WHICH IS NATURAL.. This IS NOT MY HAIR., BUT MY HAIR. If YOU WASH IT, IT LOOKS LIKE IT COULD BE: TEX TEXTUREIZED., YOU KNOW HOW IT IS. PEOPLE CALL IT KINKY, WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT.. Sometimes AMERICA, ESPECIALLY FOR BLACK WOMEN, HAS MADE US FEEL OUR HAIR IS UNACCEPTABLE., SO WE STRAIGHTEN PERM IT.. This IS N'T A UNIT. This IS N'T MY HAIR, I'M NOT FOOLING ANYBODY., BUT THIS HAS BEEN MORE ACCEPTABLE. AND SADLY, I'VE, GIVEN INTO THAT IN MANY WAYS., MUCH LIKE WHAT MICHELLE OBAMA SAID. SHE'S LIKE THE ADMINISTRATION, IS N'T READY.. Really IT'S JUST SO SAD. It REALLY IS. > >. Can I SHARE SOMETHING THAT WE TALKED ABOUT LAST NIGHT WHEN WE SPOKE ON THE PHONE. > > SURE., PLEASE YES. > >, I CALLED KERRY AND I WANTED HER TO DO THE SEGMENT BECAUSE I KNOW THAT SHE'S DEALT WITH THIS I SAID: WOULD YOU WEAR YOUR NATURAL Hair., BUT IT'S A WHOLE THING., IT'S EXPENSIVE! You HAVE TO UNDO A LOT OF THINGS. > > YES. > >, BUT ALSO DO YOU WANT PEOPLE TO SEE YOU THAT WAY IS THAT UNCOMFORTABLE FOR YOU, > >, YES. DON CALLED ME. Ladies. He CALLED ME AND HE WAS LIKE. I HAVE AN IDEA AND HE EXPLAINED WHAT HE WANTED. I PAUSED FOR A SECOND LIKE. Is HE SERIOUS RIGHT NOW, WAIT. DO N'T YOU REMEMBER WHEN SO, AND SO DID IT -- > > TAMARA? Did IT ON THE TODAY SHOW YEARS AGO, YEAH. > >, I WAS LIKE I DO N'T RECALL.. I THINK I DO NOW. I WENT BACK TO LOOK IT UP. Okay., UNDERNEATH MY HAIR IS BRAIDS.. My HAIR IS BRAIDED ALL THE WAY BACK. Underneath THIS HAIR IS MY HAIR BRAIDED ALL THE WAY BACK. I'VE TAKEN, MY HAIR -- LITERALLY TAKEN MY HAIR OFF IN THE MAKEUP ROOM AT WORK, AND YOU CAN SEE EVERYONE LOOK WHAT'S HAPPENING. It'S LIKE THEY'RE SHOCKED., LIKE IT'S DISBELIEF. AND THEN THE WHOLE. Can I TOUCH YOUR HAIR IF YOU'RE, NOT BLACK, SO --, IT'S SO DRAINING POPPY? I KNOW YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING. IN THE SENSE THAT -- > >, I DO. > >, AND SO I TOLD DON NO. I WAS TERRIFIED.. I DO N'T WANT TO BE A MEME.. I WAS SO --. It IS LIKE. I WAS SO TERRIFIED AT THE THOUGHT OF SOMEONE SEEING ME IN MY NATURAL HAIR AND I'M A GROWN WOMAN. THAT IS SO SAD. > > YOU'RE, NOT ALONE.. I HAVE FAKE LITTLE CLIP INS THAT I WEAR EVERY DAY. AND DON SEES MY FAKE HAIR IN THE MAKEUP ROOM. > >. I WANT SOME. > > HOLD ON.. I DO N'T WANT TO EQUATE.. That IS NOT TO SAY IT IS NOWHERE NEAR WHAT BLACK WOMEN HAVE GONE THROUGH WITH THEIR HAIR.. I'M TRYING TO TELL YOU, I HEAR YOU I FEEL SOMETIMES LIKE --. I DO N'T KNOW. LIKE I HAVE TO PUT IT ON FOR SOME REASON. AND I'LL. Just TELL YOU: SIENA COMES HOME FROM SCHOOL NOW, AND ONE OF OUR FAVORITE BOOKS IS HAIR LOVE. I RECOMMEND EVERY PARENT READ THIS WITH HER KIDS.. She SAID TO ME WHEN SHE LEARNED ABOUT -- LIKE ASK PERMISSION TO TOUCH OTHER PEOPLE'S HAIR. LEARNING ABOUT RESPECT. > >. The THING ABOUT THAT, THOUGH, DON TELL ME HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT IT. I WOULD NEVER ASK TO TOUCH ANYBODY'S HAIR.. I WOULDN'T. I'M NOT FASCINATED TO WALK UP TO YOU POPPY AND TOUCH YOUR -- OR I WOULD N'T WANT TO WALK UP TO MY COLLEAGUE. That IS N'T BLACK AND TOUCH THEIR HAIR.. The FACT THAT BLACK WOMEN ARE TREATED LIKE EXHIBITS IN A MUSEUM FOR LACK OF A BETTER WORD. It REALLY IS -- EVERY TIME THAT HAPPENS, WE'RE IN OUR MINDS. Here WE GO AGAIN. > >. We DID OFTEN OUR KIDS ARE BEING TAUGHT THE WRONG LESSON. Now. >, > ABSOLUTELY. TEACH YOUR KID. We HAVE DIFFERENT TEXTURE HAIR, IT'S THE SAME THING. IT STILL GROWS. MAY NOT BE AS LONG AS BLOND NATURALLY.. If YOU NOTICE THAT SOMEONE'S HAIR MAY NOT SEEM LIKE IT'S THEIR HAIR, PLEASE DO N'T ASK WHAT IS THAT ON YOUR HEAD.? How DO YOU WEAR YOUR HAIR? Everyone WEARS EXTENSIONS. FOR SOME REASON WHEN BLACK WOMEN WEAR EXTENSIONS, IT'S LIKE EVERYONE, STOP AND TAKE A LOOK AT THIS PERSON. Who IS AN EXHIBIT THEY HAVE LONG HAIR.. Why IS THAT? None OF THAT SHOULD BE A CONVERSATION. THERE'S. A SONG DO NOT TOUCH MY HAIR. LITERALLY BUILT ON THE FACT THAT THAT'S WHAT WOMEN HAVE DEALT WITH BLACK WOMEN, SPECIFICALLY. > > I WANTED TO --. Can I -- > > IT'S POWERFUL TO HEAR YOU TALK ABOUT YOUR CONVERSATION WITH DON SAYING YOU'RE A GROWN WOMAN, AND THIS IS HOW YOU FELT.. That'S WHY I THINK WE'RE SEEING MICHELLE OBAMA BE SO CANDID AND HEARING HER TALK ABOUT BEING FIRST LADY AND SHE WAS WORRIED ABOUT THAT.. It OPENS UP THE CONVERSATION FOR YOUNG WOMEN NOW TO BE ABLE TO TALK ABOUT THAT AND THINK ABOUT IT AND ACKNOWLEDGE IT DIFFERENTLY. Publicly. > >. I WILL SAY THIS: YOU MAKE A GREAT POINT ABOUT THAT.. There ARE A LOT OF YOUNG WOMEN ON TV NOW WEARING THEIR NATURAL HAIR. AND THEY HAVE GONE VIRAL FOR WEARING THEIR NATURAL HAIR, WHICH IS TO ME TWO THINGS. One BOLD I'M NOT READY TO DO THAT FOR HER TO DO THAT IS BOLD., BUT IT'S ALSO. Why AM I GOING VIRAL FOR WEARING MY OWN HAIR? I NEED YOU TO UNDERSTAND HOW THIS IS AND WHY WE ARE SITTING HERE BEING FASCINATED THAT IT TOOK MICHELLE OBAMA TO TELL US DO N'T LOOK AT MY HAIR AS IF IT'S WEIRD. >, >, CARI, QUICK, BECAUSE WE HAVE TO RUN.. If YOU CAN DO IT QUICK. This IS A LIGHTNING ROUND., > > GO. > >. Do YOU THINK IT WOULD BE OKAY NOW FOR -- FIVE YEARS OUT OF THE WHITE HOUSE.? Do YOU THINK IT WOULD BE OKAY NOW FOR HER TO WEAR HER NATURAL HAIR, > >, ABSOLUTELY., > >? You THINK IT WOULD BE FINE, >, >, ABSOLUTELY., >, >, OKAY., > >. I HOPE SHE DOES. AND THEN I'LL DO THE SAME. DON. I APPRECIATE YOU BEING HONEST. > >. The OTHER THING IS: CAN WE START --? Look, I'M A MAN. I'M SURE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO GET MAD AT ME.. I LIKE NATURAL HAIR., MY NIECES DO THE SAME THING. They BRAID THEIR HAIR UP AND DO THE SYSTEM AND WHATEVER., ESPECIALLY IF THEY COME VISIT, WE'RE GOING TO BE AT THE BEACH THEY BRAID.. I LIKE NATURAL HAIR. Can WE BRING THAT BACK? Can WE BRING BACK THE POWER > >, YOU KNOW WHAT DON YOU JUST CHALLENGED ME, I'M NOT SAYING WHEN I'M GOING TO DO IT BECAUSE I GOT TO REALLY SIT WITH IT. I'M TERRIFIED LIKE I MENTIONED., BUT WHY NOT I'M PRETTY? I CAN WEAR MY NATURAL HAIR. > > YOU'RE GORGEOUS., > >. I REMEMBER PAM, GREER AND COFFEE AND CLEOPATRA JONES. The AFRO WAS BEAUTIFUL., GET USED TO IT, PEOPLE. > >, MY MOTHER WORE AN AFRO. > >. Let ME START IT.. Let ME BE GAME.. Thank YOU FOR LETTING ME COME ON., > >! That'S WHY WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH. > >, I'M NOT SPEAKING FOR YOU. I'M SAYING THIS IS ME.. Wear YOUR HAIR. However, YOU WANT IT'S EASIER. I KNOW IF YOU BRAID IT AND PUT IT UP.. I THINK NATURAL HAIR IS BEAUTIFUL., > >, WHAT A GIFT SHE IS. > >. Thank YOU. So MUCH
Comments
J. Love Notary Public: I loved that Don brought forth Mrs. Obama’s statement and this topic. As a Black woman that has been wearing my hair natural for over 20 years, it was the scariest and most courageous decision when I did the “big chop “to cut out the relaxer. However, I caught the most negative energy & comments from my own people about it, which is another dimension to this conversation that we need to address. In my opinion, we as Black people are still struggling with self-love & the need for white validation.
AJ Powell: That picture of the black boy wanting to touch Obama's hair still gives me chills. I truly understand.
Divinely Guided: Absolutely ❤this!!! 20 years in the military and now having locs, “hair” has always been a thing for me. ❤❤❤ the First Lady!!!
Pink Dia: I remember when Malia Obama wore twists and it was a huge issue and accused them of making a radical political statement and said it was inappropriate to represent America. I can’t imagine if Michelle wore braids or twist in 2008. When the Obamas did a fist bump is was “radical”. We have come a long way
denise salt: I love this conversation. I have worked in corporate most of my life and when I felt bold enough to go natural (which sounds crazy to admit) it was like a huge thing and I think my hair was the topic of every conversation for at least a few weeks. It was crazy how crazy it was. For the first time I felt liberated to not have to burn my hair or scalp with really harsh chemicals and to go into spaces where people literally said to me "I liked it better before" was very sad. I was natural for the first 16 years of my life and will be for the rest of my life. The years in between were just an assimilation experiment gone bad.
akatheempress: She was correct in her assessment. I remember when I transitioned to natural hair how people assumed it was a political statement. No! I am going to wear MY hair as it grows out of my head naturally.
Lozie82: I’m 4C natural and have been this way for over a year now. I don’t see myself going back to the itchy scalp and thinning edges. Yes, it takes patience to condition and detangle my natural coils/curls in the shower before work every morning, but nothing beats the feel of the way the air hits my scalp daily. Lastly, I think it’s sad that it took my born-and-raised in Europe husband to convince me to go natural because he thinks it looks great. I, too, was brainwashed.
Tiffany Dezort: This. When I went natural my mom was so worried I wouldn’t be able to find work. It’s a big reason I lived and worked in the DC area as long as I did. Having natural hair wasn’t considered “unprofessional,” or a political/religious statement.
vallendior: I have been living abroad for over 8 years at this point. I’ve been wearing my hair in its natural state the entire time. It’s never been an issue. However, when I lived in the U.S. I felt there was so much pressure to assimilate. I wore wigs, weaves, protective styles or I straightened my hair but it was more of an obligation as opposed to an actual choice. The freedom I feel now is invaluable. I don’t get judged at the work place or in life. My self esteem has increased because I’m allowed to fully be who I am inside and out but I’m interested to see how I feel when I return to the U.S.
MFalowo: When I got hired for a job at Whole Foods I had my hair in a protective style. I then washed my hair and my natural hair was out, and my boss started to give me a hard time about it. He wouldn't say anything about the other employees with different ethnicities who had their hair out, but he would give us black girls a hard time about our hair. I quit right on the spot one day because he tried to tell me to straighten my hair. I couldn't believe that this was an ongoing issue in America but clearly I was wrong. I will never forget how I felt in that moment and I vowed that I wouldn't let anybody tell me what to do with my hair at any job.
Beulah Iriele: Exactly. Don’t touch people’s hair period! Or ask to touch their hair. Period!
cashe: Amen to this segment. My daughter has long beautiful hair and her mother makes her perm it and it drives me crazy. Whatever your hair looks like, it's YOURS. Be proud of it. Wear it naturally. Screw what people say.
Ronda S: Love this interview, the openness of it! The beauty and awareness of it!
cc 1k: It is so weird, especially in this day and age of anything goes in piercings, tattoos, and even colorwise in hair, to watch people panic over natural hair styles. It's just hair. ♀️
Marilyn: I love this. As a 60 something white woman, I remember African American women wearing their hair natural in the 60´s and 70´s and I always thought it was way cool! Maybe it´s just that I worked with a lot of African American women who wore their hair that way and...why would anyone care? After punk hair, pink, blue, green dyed hair...geez, if you have a problem with natural Black hair, what is wrong with you?? Grow up! I did have some colleagues who said co-workers "wouldn't accept natural hair", but I would hope those days are dead and gone! BTW, I permed my hair super curly as a 20-ish kid (remember, 70's & early 80's... because mine is pancake flat) and eventually, it was just too damaging to continue chemical hair treatment. Free yourselves, ladies (and gentlemen, too)!
QueenDiva2147: Omgosh I just can't! I wear wigs and I wear my natural hair. I love my natural hair and adore my wigs. I love the versatility. I have had older White women in my lifetime ask can I touch your hair, including my boss. Everyone got a NO response! I have explained to some my position on that. I find it sad that this woman is shame of her natural hair and feel that straight hair is acceptable or makes herself feel more presentable. Own your own beauty natural or wigs. My wigs go from kinky to straight and every color I like. When I was young I worried about job interviews with my locs but not now. Thank goodness I don't have hair issues at my job. They just say I never know who you are because you always look different. Not a shame of my beautiful locs!! In FLOTUS Michelle last days she should have rocked an Afro lmbo. Really gave them something to talk about. She did wear a similar fro style. A favorite pic of mine of First Lady Michelle Obama.
RoRo Ridley: My daughters are 20 and 17 and they have NEVER had chemicals in their hair to make it straight and I’m so thankful
Just Jeanne: Michelle is beauty and grace personified. I'm more concerned with a person's character than the kinkiness of their hair. ♥
Oklahoma Wine Culture: Your Wine Destination!!: Natural hair is amazing and should be celebrated!
healingv1sion: As a black woman, i am so exhausted with the WORLD being obsessed with our hair. This hair texture exists on even white people so what is the point of all the uproar? I would shave my head if it meant the world would calm down
Ayub A Alim: US Wasn't Ready For The First Lady's Natural Black Hair! .......... The Woman Is Amazing
Franticproductions: I am a white male, that had a 5yr. relationship with a black woman. The General public (at least the white community), has NO IDEA what black women go through to make their hair "acceptable" to go out in public. I hear you young lady, but you're blessed with natural beauty, and would look beautiful bald. I do understand the problem and at least 'empathize' with you.
Beth: This makes me think. I teach young children. Caressing a child’s hair as a sign of affection is something I do without thinking. I would never do that to a colleague or older student. I think it might be something to address with my students. “I stroke the hair of children I love. If you don’t like that, let me know and I won’t touch your hair”. Hmmmmm…..
Matter SpaceTime: Wow ❤ We truly living in a time where the schisms and isms of the old days are coming to an end. Natural beauty is everything, worth more than gold and priceless with all grades and shades of our natural hair!!! Embrace your natural head!!!!!! Self Love through all this hatred in the world
mdooms76: They complained about her sleeveless dresses and bare legs. We know they weren't going to accept braids. It's a shame we can't just be us!!!! Everyone else can be themselves. Smh
Sun: Considering how bad Malia Obama was attacked for wearing her hair in twists at the time I can’t imagine that going well. They swore Malia’s twist were “radical” when it’s just our hair.
Coco: Okay wait. I lived in an apartment building and the young woman (same age as me) was always switching up her hair style. I loved it, I didn't want to touch her hair but I would say things like "love the new look" or "omg I wish I could do braids" because her hair was more then just hair, it was a statement, the women that did her hair was INCREDIBLY skilled and I wanted to celebrate the moment for its beauty. I am still friends with her to this day and would talk to her every morning when I went to walk my dog. We know a lot about each others lives. BUT, I never knew if I was allowed to comment. We aren't talking black braids, we are talking neon pink braided highlights, afros with little spots of gold details, stunning braided ponytails. She would always say thank you and I asked her once after I knew her for a while if it was weird if I acknowledged her new looks and/or what her thoughts on the matter were. She said "no it's fine, thanks for the appreciation." But for me the question remains, where TYPE of acknowledgment is acceptable (if any) from a white male. And also, this is where the trigger question comes in for a lot of black women, what level of acknowledgement is acceptable from a white gay male. There is a long history of queer men appropriate black women so that plays into this as well. Love to hear the thoughts from the black ladies in the comment section, white people, just sit this one out with your opinions, give black folks the floor.
bigisrick: "Democrats actually believe this" Forget the fact he droned a children's hospital.....look at his wife's hair!!
Lilyflower: I agree with the guest that touching someone’s hair is not a fascination for us. I never asked my curly haired white friends that have perms, “can I touch your hair”. It’s unfortunate but I never knew what my natural hair was like or how to take care of it until I retired. I just grew up knowing that if I wanted to be successful in business or have a career, then I needed to straighten my hair. I’m Afro-Latina.
A.D: My daughter went to college to become a designer from watching RuPaul's drag race. She saw them as artists. RuPaul gave her more self esteem than I ever got watching Miss America pageants as a kid. We come too far to go back now. Because of Michelle kids don't have to have those problems. It's ashame some want to undo all she done. It does take a village to raise a child.
Xiomara: There are so many different aspects to this conversation that I wish cable news had time for! Specifically I wish they had been able to touch on the dress codes and perceived professionalism that we as a society view straight (ie more white styles) and traditionally Black hairstyles- like natural hair, afros, dreads, braids. To have a dress code in a professional setting that specifically bans these styles for no other purpose than to “look professional” is a problem perpetuating a problematic perception of what it means to be “professional”. I’m saying that by requiring Black people to white-ify their hair in order to enter a professional setting we are saying that professionals need to look white- otherwise they are not welcome. I think we need to be more accepting of braids and fro’s in the office, and employer’s should probably reevaluate their dress code if they haven’t in a long time and public schools need to stop treating dreadlocks like illegal contraband! My hair is not kinky but it is very very thick. Because of this I *HAVE* to find a hair stylist who can handle thick hair! If I could I would probably go to Cost Cutters or Fantastic Sam’s or the like - I don’t really care much about my hair, but a cut color and some highlights is $400 + tip! I have to save up for it! When we ask women for hair styles that are even more unnatural to their hair texture, we are asking them to spend a whole lot of time and *money* on something that is inconsequential to their abilities to do their jobs!
raymond glaser: As a black woman who has made a decision to wear her hair naturally, I understand what the former first lady is talking about, unfortunately. It's sad to live somewhere that you can't be yourself. Also to have people tell you it's you and not the idiots around you.
Angela Phinn: I remember the furore that broke out and the criticism heaped upon them (from Black Americans) when they allowed their girls to wear braided, natural hairstyles during their holidays! As a Black British woman, I found it upsetting and baffling.
DoraGlen Jordon: Michelle is gorgeous with any kind of hair and has brains to boot.
Nala The Noodlegator: I don’t care what way Michelle wore her hair she is the very picture of beauty, grace and class. Everyone can learn from her.
Cathy: Hey, I’m a white girl and I think it’s hilarious that when I was growing up and Afters were popular, my mother and her sisters all got perms so they could have Afros too! Absolutely bring them back for everyone! I love y’all’s honesty! Sadly, no matter what kind of hair a girl has she wants to kind the other girl has… Thank you advertising
Jenn Newman: This is a great conversation, we all need to promote more of these discussions. The simple fact is, we don’t know anything until we are told about it. I believe in order to move forward towards a more compassionate, inclusive, peaceful society we must have more conversations. By the way, your hair is beautiful and you should be able to wear your unique, gorgeous hair any way you like! ♥️
Heart Strings: My hair is naturally long, jet black and thick. For many years I wore my hair natural = No braids, no chemicals, No pressing, No weave. just wash, conditioning and rolling up then wear. My husband loved it and I never cut it when my husband was living. I loved my hair as much as he did. My mother still wears her hair natural and its so thick, shiny and curly. I was taught at an early age to take care of my hair because it was thick and naturally long. Being black, this was a form of pride especially when I was becoming of age. 70's early 80's.
🧁 Curls n Cupcakes: Michelle Obama would have looked beautiful with the braids. It would have been amazing to see her in her natural hair. ❤
Unfiltered: The First Lady Michelle Obama is an intelligent woman, very well educated and quite beautiful. Sadly people judge others based on skin color, hair, tattoos, etc. If we stopped judging with our eyes and started seeing with our heart, we would have the capacity to see the beauty in each person...
Abena kwabuwaa: I was born in ghana in the early 80s I saw my mother used a hot comb to straighten her natural hair. Every Sunday she will put that comb in some fire and run it through her hair. That was the norm for me. She had long natural hair but that comb made it look silkier. My siblings and I grew up that way too and we all have locs . I have not permed mine even after I moved to America . I love my hair as is. In my opinion if we all as black women wore our own hair , society will have to deal with it and accept it and it won’t be a subject for discussion. Black mothers raise your kids to love their own hair by showing them with yours as is. My mother told me something when I was 7 after I asked why she won’t perm her hair. She said to her it means she hates how she came out as a black woman. And that’s all I needed to hear from her. I love me , and how I came out from my mama and I will go as I am. Ps: I wear wigs over my dreads when I haven’t retwisted
Terry Miles: I like how they unpacked this topic.
L W: I’ve slicked my natural hair down with gel for interviews just cause it can cost me from getting a job. I mean there a reason for things like the Crown act.
Minolta Araya: Such a great conversation to have. I have a BIG natural Afro. I love it, people tell me they love it and I wear it as often as I can. I get booked more, make more money with straight hair. Period. People have tried to debate me on this many times, this is literally my experience. I am perceived completely differently when I change my hair, even though I’m the same person. ♀️
Rochelle Haddad: I had/have plenty of friends of varying hair textures and I only touched their hair when we were all "doing" our hair together. It's a strange concept for me to ask to touch people who I don't know or out of context.
Mom Mom: I'm half Irish, half German. My Irish father had VERY curly hair! When I was a little girl, I inherited my father's curls. I'm 86 now and my hair still curls even when cut short. I just received a picture of myself when I was 4. My head could look like a cauliflower---it was covered with curls. And did I scream when my mom combed my hair!!!! When I was 12, I finally had my long curls cut off. And I have worn it short ever since! But it gets many compliments because it is so wavy and so white!!!!!!!! God bless Michelle for being the lovely person she is!!!
Lucy Jackson: As a mother whose daughter has struggled with Trichotillomania since she was 12 (she is now almost 20), I can relate to the emotions she has experienced . “I’m pretty “ hit especially hard.
Carly Jack: The only time braids or other ethnic looking hairstyles are cute, trendy and edgy is when they’re on the head of a Kardashian or an even whiter woman. I agree with everything the guest said and the way she honestly corrected the anchor about teaching her daughter a wrong lesson. Touching stranger’s hair like they’re something in an exhibit is so insulting. We don’t even do that to each other! It’s only a “thing” for non black women. As black women, we already knew why Michelle Obama kept her hair straightened and everything else she had to do to code-switch in order to be successful. This is will never be something new.
Forst Held: For me as an older european white man this convo came so unexpected and shows me i can still learn something every day at least dont be judgemental on other persons because you may dont know whats going on. Thanks for reporting.
QB: I caught and had to stop a complete stranger from reaching out to touch my child's afro when we were standing in line a few months ago. Keep your hands to yourself!
Silver Hiker: She is amazing. I absolutely love her so much. She was the best first lady ever! I'll die happily on this hill. She's just fantastic af!
Erin S: This is a beautiful and sadly relevant story. Thank you for sharing your truth!!!
Linda Humes: It's very hard for me to fathom how anyone can be preoccupied with anyones hair. I'm Italian and have very very curly hair. My hair was always almost black, in fact my brothers hair was so black it was a blue black. My friends and others that didn't look like me staired, or wanted to touch my hair, but I never felt singled out. I always felt they were curious. I lived on the tough streets of East Boston by the Harbor as a kid with all kinds of enthnicities. Funny we always want to look like someone else. I remember my Dad getting in my face when I was young pointing his finger at me and saying never ever be ashamed of who you are and where you come from or how you look. To an Italian parent that was like a slap in the face. If you don't like the way you look it's like saying you don't like the way your parent's look HAHA. Anyway, it's best I read the book. Ladies it was nice to read everyones point of view. I, myself will continue to embrace eachothers differences. Stay true to who you are Ladies. May all of you have a healthy and HAPPY NEW YEAR 2023!!!!!!
LoveFlatfootin1: She's always so beautiful no matter what she does with her hair.
Lateia Brown: Yes!! I love how vocal, straight forward, and honest she was about our hair! There isn't a need to ask because there should be no touching...period! Even having someone ask to touch your hair puts you in an awkward position.
Sabrina lastname: I love this so much... thank you Cari for sharing that. The hair touching, the shock on people's faces if you take out your extensions...The fear of going back natural... I'm so glad this is being discussed.
Belinda Cassidy: Ladies you're beautiful , never let anyone take your joy !!
Katella: I'm an old hippie and I'd love to see everyone be able to let their hair free to do what it does naturally. It is freeing in many ways. Dianna Ross with that beautiful mane!
WILLIAM CARTER: '' Weren't ready'' you mean still isn't ready !!!
Zachary'sMama🍂: It makes me so sad that she feels she can't wear her natural hair. I realize I am only 1 person, however it sickens me that an entire race has been made to feel inadequate based on something so stupid as hair. I am white, Western Canadian, live in a relatively multicultural large city... I've had many friends over the years who have been black, indigenous, east-asian, muslim, catholic, baptist, gay, straight.... I could not fathom asking to touch another's hair, or skin, or judge them based on something so personal as sexual orientation or religion. I guess the only thing I am intolerant of is intolerance. This is 2022... let's leave intolerance. behind in the 20th century.
J. P. Morgan: Not African American, I lived through the 60s when in my 20s and am still around today. I find it unbelievable that so much energy was expended on Afro hair during the Obama years and is still a topic of conversation. It's time to tackle other things, like poverty and the environment.
Deborah Zenquis: The question is, “is that your hair”? Natural or purchased the answer is yes it is.
Ben Williams: My daughter is a straight A student in here 2 year of college she's made the dean's list twice her mother and I both are so proud of her . Not even a year ago she had an interview by way of phone. 1 of the question she was asked is how do she ware her hair. She didn't understand why the question was asked. But she asked the person was there a preference. Once she hung up the phone phone. She asked me why was the question asked because she's so indecent and didn't understand. So I set her down and explained it her the best way I could by telling her. Their ignorant .
Debra Helmlinger: Permed my hair for 10 years until my coworkers at the small Library I worked convinced me to let it grow out over 35 years ago. The children that were a mix of Haitian, Jamician and African Americans at the Library loved to play with my long blond hair during storytime
Bertha Bridges: "I am an example of what is possible when girls, from the very beginning of their lives, are loved and nurtured by people around them." ~ Michelle Obama, American lawyer, writer, activist, and humanitarian who served as the First Lady of the United States of America
Gina MosleyBivens: This is a crazy thing to have to go through**I am well into my 50s and still get asked "Can I touch your hair?" Even when I blow it out straight, people can not believe how long it is**I am proud that my hair is diverse in textures**Straight or kinky/curly, I like having options**Kudos to Ms. Obama for considering the position she was in and at the same time embracing all that she is
Bertha Bridges: "When you're a black woman, you seldom get to do what you just want to do; you always do what you have to do." ~ Dorothy Height, (1912-2010) American educator and activist
CallieMae: Beautiful interview. So real. So honest. ❤❤❤
JDS 00: Although I appreciate Poppi's attempt to come across as empathic and relatable, she has no idea. Poppi's choice to wear clip-ins is cosmetic. She is wearing them to make her hair fuller or longer. The reason black women wear weaves or straighten their hair is to make white people feel comfortable about our own hair.
maeshelle west-davies: I look forward to the time when people are not judged for their hair. I think natural can be beautiful. So can braids. So can weaves. So can wigs.
Loriann Richardson: I thank God every day for my mother. She embraced natural hair; big afros, teeny weeny afros, and pressed hair. As a result, I never concerned myself with this natural vs straight issue. I've worn my hair in all of these ways, and I've worked in some pretty conservative establishments while doing it. I literally never gave it a second thought.
Where’s God?: I’m white with long hair to my buttocks, naturally, all my life and I can’t tell you the number of people, men and women who have touched and fingered my hair without my permission. I’ve had me say derogatory offensive comments about wanting my hair all over their body.
Caddy B: It’s no one’s place to tell anyone how to wear their hair! As long as you are comfortable with it, that’s beautiful.
michele johnson: It's crazy that we have to have these conversations, but it's good to have it...I wear my hair naturally, but it took me three times over many years to finally just stay natural. It's easier, it's cost effective and it is beautiful! I am me and this is my hair!
Jeremy: It’s the slight read that Cari clapped back with in response to Poppy’s comments
Nate H: I am way more concerned about a person's character than how they choose to wear their hair.
Rachel Ammons: I can’t imagine the scandal if Michelle would have dared wear her natural hair People would have LOST their MINDS It would be 100x worse than tansuitgate
Jules Laabs: When I was a young, I watched Charlene Hunter Ross on the PBS news hour, then the McNeil Lehrer report. She was a stellar newscaster. I appreciated the freedom she had wearing various styles-especially later, but her talent & great interviews were the main thing. (I suspect Judy Woodruff has her own hair issues, too).
MissRight91: I figured this was the case, but I really wished she would have "turned it up" some time during the last term. I mean, what were they going to do? They criticized her husband for wearing a tan suit and her for having her arms out ♀️
Kim Shanique: President Obama was elected on my birthday when I was in elementary school and I was so proud to be black and I cant remember a time where I felt like I couldn’t do anything because of the color of my skin. I felt like the world was a great place and that America was truly changing for the good and betterment of all people. We have to get some people who are for the betterment of all people in office. The direction this country is headed in is disgusting and we are taking a lot of steps backwards because we have some ignorant, old school thinking people who are dragging this country down because of their own personal and evil agendas
Karen Norris: This is so interesting. So here's my perspective. I've always had long straight blond hair, that's how I was born. I had one black man ask to touch my hair one time in a grocery store and I said yes. That was that. My favorite look for black women were the big afros in the early 70's. There's a 1972 youtube video of the Temptations on Soul Train and all the dancers have this wonderful, black power/black pride afro hairstyle. I like that because it's great to take pride in who you are. You are God's handiwork after all. I liked that kind of rebellious spirit. Also natural black hair makes a lot of sense if you live in Texas where it's so hot. Long straight hair is swelteringly hot, whereas black hair keeps the sun off your head and the breeze blows through it naturally. The only thing I don't like is when you see braids that are so tight on the scalp that it looks painful - or if someone has very little hair and there are a lot of gaps between the braids and extensions. Other than that - I say it's your hair - wear it the way you want to.
Steve Drake: Outside of Don’s constant interruptions of his co-workers, I actually like this show.
Badgersj: When I lived in the US I was quite shocked by the way American black women all straightened their hair. In the UK my black friends all had natural hair, cut and styled in different ways yes, but not straightened. Also had a Nigerian friend who used to have her hair styled in the most exotic way.
Buckeye Fangirl19: She's beautiful no matter how she wears her hair❤️
Steve Stoll: The narcissism that some in the political class have is mind blowing.
Jay the Thinker: She was right they had issues with her wearing a sleeveless dress so i can only imagine
Denny Smith: A top hairdresser in Cape Town 'accidently' over permed my hair and I had the most amazing 'Jimi Hendrix' experience... hair wise that is... Was wonderful - loved it... Got so many compliments... The more hair the better folks...
phillisob: Whenever I see Cari, I think how pretty she is, but what a goddess she would be with her natural hair. I hope she takes up the challenge!
Morgan Tyler V: Michelle Obama is SO Cool. I Absolutely Love Her.
Warrin Bang: It comes down to what's considered beautiful or attractive in a particular culture, as defined through images and pictorial depictions.
Apollo: I really dont understand why natural hair is such a big deal? Bring it back!
John L: Dang! First they get you because of the color of your skin and now hair.
bizzyfit: I work for an organization and I remember when I was new, I never saw the black women in the organization get their hair braided unless it was their vacation month. That was about 10 years ago. Now we get braids year round without feeling like we can't.
Rose Q: I agreed with this conversation 100%. Society places so much emphasis on our hair. We just wanna live in peace.
Sharon: Best segment EVER. You should have interviewed me. I’m an actress and dancer forever. When I first came to LA the dark skinned girls did not wear natural hair but I did and I feel like I helped to make that happen. Check me out.
Diana Nicole: Michelle Obama is beautiful! I loved Barack as president. I miss them.
Annie Lane: I think "black " hair is beautiful.
Paulie Smrt: First thing I thought when I saw the thumbnail of this video was what a cool look for her ❤but she’s right the US wasn’t ready at this time.
Angela Nelson: Just a note, telling her daughter to ask first is ignoring the point she was trying to makes, don’t encourage your children to touch other people’s hair, ESPECIALLY Black people’s hair, WE ARE OFFENDED BY PEOPLE CONSTANTLY WANTING TO TOUCH OR HAIR OR ASK IS THAT REALLY YOUR HAIR? I have a mixed history like many people in this world we are all the product of our genetics and we are all different. Teach your children that each person is unique like they are and the world is supposed to be filled with many types of combinations and just as we teach our children people should not be touching them, OTHER PEOPLE DESERVE THAT SAME RIGHT!
Aaron Kiker: When color and hair isn’t even a thing anymore, but you still want to be a victim in 2022