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Actress Taraji P. Henson has surprised and amazed us one too many times, especially on Empire, but this time she is real life amazingness: Taraji. P. Henson has been rocking a short buzz cut for the past few days on social media and IRL, and per usual, the NaturallyCurly team is loving it.
Promoting @blackgirlsrock for BET, Henson has been seen recently rocking her natural for various events and videos, and social media has been all over it. And while her new haircut is gorgeous — and even a bit edgy for Hollywood standards — should we expect Henson to keep her hair in its natural state forever? Is this an ongoing trend with celebrities or a true change in accepted aesthetics and beauty standards? Recently we have seen the likes of Keke Palmer, Zendaya, Solange, Nicole Ari Parker, Issa Rae, and more rocking their natural hair on red carpets and social media. So does this mean that it is a thing?
While Solange has rocked her natural hair for a few years now, her undefined curls never stop to create unsolicited advice from critics regarding whether or not a celebrity should wear her hair natural and deciding if it will be a permanent decision.
For some reason, celebrities like Taraji P. Henson showing us what her hair really looks like is still a phenomenon. But why is that? Have we forgotten that they were probably not born with 25-inch long, blond weaves? Is our newfound happiness linked to the fact that our favorite celebrities are starting to look more and more like… us? I wonder if we have gone from admiring public figures and celebrities for their looks to actually connecting with them on a deeper level? Think about it: it is almost like sharing products with them. Right?
However, maybe we shouldn’t put the cart before the horse.
Solange Knowles had her big Twitter moment back in 2012, saying “I never painted myself as a team natural vice president. I don’t know the lingo and don’t sleep with a satin cap… However, I did [notice] when I picked out my hair, I kept seeing feedback about needing a ‘twist out.’ Confession: I hate twist-outs. Correction: I hate the way they look on me, so I end up always picking them or steaming them out. Look, all I’m saying is, my hair is not very important to me… so [I] don’t encourage it to be important to you.”
While the natural movement seemed to give many a sense of pride, it also has entitled others to critique and advise — even almost command — other people’s hair into their own ideas of what their hair should look like. So should we appreciate Taraji P. Henson’s hairstyle for what it is or should we expect her to be our new favorite natural hair guru?
What do you think about Taraji. P. Henson’s new look?
Or the latest wave of celebrities rocking their natural hair? Let us know in the comments.
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Mara Brock Akil is on her journey to going grey!
The mastermind screenwriter and executive producer for Being Mary Jane and Girlfriends recently shared why she went natural, is embracing grey, loving her hair, and letting go on her Instagram account, @maraakil:
GREY// I should’ve started this #hairjourney… really #mejourney a year and half ago when it began. That time back in March 2016 when my grey resisted my last color of February 2016 for award season… But I wasn’t sure I would stay committed. Actually I wasn’t sure I was on the journey yet, but I did make a decision then that I would go #natural through the end of #summer2016 to save #time and #thought and #money. But at the end of the summer I decided to keep going. I believe my friend @iamrebeccawalker inspired me at this time. I saw the image of her allowing her grey and I thought she was #beautiful and #brave… I still wasn’t sure but I also wasn’t making appointments to get it colored. Plus I was writing/developing new projects… I’ll decide before I start doing press again with the sell of new shows… then we sold the shows and I was starting to do #panels#redcarpets but I didn’t make the appointment… I gave myself until my birthday in May to decide. And ultimately I decided to allow my grey. I mostly love it! There are still days I’m not sure… but that’s just it, whether it’s #Hair or #JustMe my journey has lead me to love it and [accept] the moments of being unsure. That’s tantamount to #lettinggo #doingme… until I decide to do something else! #InTheLandOfGettingGrownAndGoingGrey
Many celebrities have talked about ageism in Hollywood and grey hair has been a recurrent topic lately, feeding the conversation on a new — and real — way of representing people, especially older women in the media. It’s about embracing change, and celebrating it, as nothing in stays stagnant in life.
But are we ready for it as an Instagram and Photoshop society?
Whether the answer is yes or no, many have spoken on the issue; some stars including Antonio Banderas, Meryl Streep and Madonna are condemning ageism in Hollywood.
Alice Walker is another example of a woman embracing going grey.
If you are still not convinced about letting go and going grey, maybe this will help:
“With age and experience, you will be happy to know, growth becomes a conscious, recognized process. Still somewhat frightening, but at least understood for what it is. Those long periods when something inside ourselves seems to be waiting, holding its breath, unsure about what the next step should be, eventually become the periods we wait for, for it is in those periods that we realize we are being prepared for the next phase of our life and that, in all probability, a new level of the personality is about to be revealed.”
According to a 2013 study, 38% of all murdered women were by their intimate partners, and 42% of women who have experienced physical or sexual violence at the hands of a partner had experienced injuries as a result; which could be identified during a hair appointment if the stylist is well informed.
Hair stylists in Illinois will now take advantage of the trust relationships built with their clients and put them to good use.
With the introduction of a new legislation which requires all cosmetologists and students to take a mandatory hour training every two years on how to connect clients to the right resources, and how to tell if a client might a victim of any form of violence.
The sessions will act as a forum to exchange information about the behavior that should put a cosmetology worker on alert. They will have to recognize that abuse, especially when it is emotional, can be more subtle to spot during a relatively short consultation. The new legislation, which is an amendment to the Barber, Cosmetology, Hair Braiding, and Nail Technology Act of 1985, will not require stylists to report abuse. However, they will be trained to look for warning signs and offer support. They will also learn which crisis groups to direct women to.
According to a 2013 study, 38% of all murdered women were by their intimate partners, and 42% of women who have experienced physical or sexual violence at the hands of a partner had experienced injuries as a result.
This sign could be identified — and hopefully, avoided — during a hair appointment if the stylist is well-informed. State Representative Fran Hurley explains to the Chicago Tribune, “there’s an openness, a freeness, a relationship that last years or decades between the client and the cosmetologist. They’re in a position to see something that may or may not be right.”
Organizations like the Abused Women’s Aid in Crisis (AWAIC”> are already using the all-female and familiar environment as a mean to combat domestic violence and this new legislation is taking the fight against domestic violence to new heights. There is is urgency in the matter as, one in three women and one in seven men experience violence at the hands of a partner in their lifetime, said Kristie Paskvan, the founder of Chicago says, ‘no more.’
In June 2013, the Global Health Organization described domestic violence as a “global health problem of epidemic proportions.”
And while many countries seem to have stepped into the past (earlier this year Putin approved the decriminalisation of some domestic violence”>. Other countries have shown far more humanity : in a heartbreaking ad titled, “Hair, the pride of a woman,” we witness the mental impact that domestic violence has on the psyche of its victims. The ad, created for a domestic violence hotline named Jui, shows a woman repeatedly asking a hairdresser to cut her hair “short.” As the hairdresser comments about what a shame it is to cut such beautiful hair, the woman stares into the mirror and keeps insisting that her hair needs to be still “shorter.” When the woman’s hair is reduced down to only a bob cut, the hairdresser assumes she’s finished with her job. But with tears in her eyes, the woman grabs her own hair and pulls it.
[quote]“Make it even shorter,” she says. “So that no-one can hold it like this again.”[/quote]
Domestic violence is a national issue, not only an international one. In Alaska alone about 50% of women have experienced some form of domestic or sexual violence. And while many would not risk going to a professional directly, the hairstylist is the next best option for many.
“They say that the hairdresser gets all the secrets,” says hairstylist, Ms. Smith to the Chicago Tribune. “They let go here. Everybody doesn’t talk, but once you build a relationship with someone, that’s when it happens. It’s just like when you have a best girlfriend.”
If you are experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotlineat 1-800-799-7233 or TTY 1-800-787-3224 for confidential support.
If you started your natural hair journey within the last few years you will likely have come across Meechy Monroe’s YouTube channel. Loyal subscribers labeled her signature look the “Meechy twist-out,” the super defined, soft, textured, vibrant Afro. Also known as part of the sibling duo the Monroe Sisters with her sister Vaughan, Meechy has always been passionate about helping people and beauty. But it was much more than that. She told Chicago Tribune in a heartfelt interview, “I tell women that it’s not all about the outer appearance but to be happy with oneself. I’ve learned that beauty isn’t just hair and makeup – it goes much deeper.”
The battle
In April of 2014, before her 29th birthday, Monroe noticed one side of her face was drooping. She had trouble with her speech. A few medical exams revealed that she had suffered three strokes.
On May 31, 2014 Meechy was diagnosed with a rare cancerous tumor called a sarcoma, and spent the next 6 weeks in the hospital. After suffering multiple mild strokes and being diagnosed with Aphasia (difficulty in language delivery”>, Meechy underwent a second surgery July 3rd 2014.
She then understandably disappeared from the internet for what fans deemed too long, she wrote “Who knows how strong you have to be until you are faced with so many life-changing decisions.” Her online community quickly rallied behind her to support Monroe and her family both mentally and financially with the hashtag #GetWellMeechy. Some helped with expensive medical bills by attending the Curls for a Cause benefit event sponsored by Cantu in Chicago on September 20, 2014. They raised nearly $60,000 overall to help pay medical bills for Monroe, who did not have health insurance.
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“It’s overwhelming,” she told People. “They tell me, ‘I love you, I’m praying for you.’ It makes me cry every day, I’m so grateful.”
In previous episodes of her YouTube series REAL LIFE, Vaughan shared the reality of her sister’s sickness and battle. Their online community and the rest of the world witnessed a memorable bond and touching reflection of sisterly love as Meechy fought the battle of her life.
A lesson for all
Meechy told People in February 2015 that since her cancer diagnosis, it was important for her to open a discussion about her cancer and her journey back to health. She said “Knowing there are other women out there facing cancer like I am, I want to do everything I can to let them know they’re not alone.”
Meechy was as bold as she was a fighter. She posted photos showing herself bald and with a 40-pound weight gain from her treatments. She was also kind and thoughtful; before her surgery, Meechy donated her gorgeous hair to Locks of Love, benefitting children who have suffered hair loss from cancer treatment, “I have to look at the bright side: I’m saving money by not having to get my hair cut.” Monroe kept herself looking fabulous through it all, wearing colorful hats and scarves while her hair grew back.
Meechy ends the interview saying : “I’ve learned not to take my health for granted and to live in the moment. I’m grateful for every second of living on this earth.”
A few hours ago, her sister Vaughan shared the heartbreaking news of Meechy’s passing on her Instagram account, writing “I am broken. Rest up sis.”
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This is a devastating loss for her family, her extended family of the natural hair community, and beyond. Personally I’m so saddened by this. I was wondering how she was doing a few days ago after watching her sister’s vlog. There has been an outpouring of prayers and support across social media over the news. Life is so precious.
Our sincerest thoughts go out to the family and friends of Meechy Monroe. Her voice and presence in the natural hair community will be deeply missed. Rest In Peace, Queen.
