There has been a little bit of uneasiness with Dr. Oz’s latest show surrounding natural hair. He had two young ladies on the show, one did a big chop and the other gave insight on how she felt when she finally decided to become natural.
The second woman also had her hair ‘styled’ in a pompadour of sorts. He featured a natural hair stylist who reportedly a leader in natural hair in spite of the fact that she is largely unknown in the natural hair world. But hey, we will let him live.
Still it was largely criticized and to be quite honest I get it. Why would some of us not be a little upset by a show seemed hastily thrown together? Nobody ever heard of the stylist that was given credit for the work of many others in the natural hair world particularly stylists who have been more visible from the beginning of the movement. And who does a big chop like that anyway? It seemed so raw and rough. Argh!
But then there is another side of it, a positive side that we have to pay close attention to. Natural hair is not just our hair any more. Now its a business and its a huge one that many people, regardless of ethnicity, are looking to score on.
Dr. Oz probably had great ratings the day Curly Nikki was on almost a year ago and wanted to replicate the same thing by doing a similar show. Additionally this particular stylist has a business she needs to run as well, so the opportunity to be on television to promote her brand was probably something she, like many of us would never pass up.
The participants? Well, when was the last time you big chopped in front of thousands of viewers? It was probably liberating to say the least, the ladies should start a blog and capitalize on their 2 minutes of fame.
To me all this appeared to be a way to capitalize on something that is moving in a great direction, I expect that we will see the discussion more and more on television and not just on Dr. Oz but on other talk shows, radio shows and print media as well.
Hair is a big deal, it was a big deal before natural hair was huge and will always be a big deal. Now natural hair has a platform and all you have to do if natural hair is your business, is to just know your worth. Recognize the value of your knowledge and your platform and act accordingly.
No shade thrown here, we know the show could have been better but we get it, we know exactly whats up.
Watch the segments below and let us know your thoughts.
Part 1
Part 2
I like me some Dr Oz, but I feel like everybody hopping on the natural hair bandwagon
Bandwagon?
Sometimes I think the ONLY time black people will actually make a change, it’s when they get motivated my another race. Like, does it really take Dr Oz to encourage black women to embrace our natural hair?? Do we need another race to tell us to love and accept the very thing we were born with?
I don’t and I’m sure many others dont either!!1
Dr. Oz
I do not understand this comment. Thousands of black women went natural before this show episode even aired. What are you talking about? Instead lets ask- what new way does white media want to pick up views and make money off black women now.
I’m going to have to disagree with you on this one my sister, black women all over the world have embraced their natural texture for some time now. Dr Oz is just taking the opportunity to capitalize on it now.
Malakha has a point. Unfortunately, there are people who need the white man’s stamp of approval for their kinky hair and lupita skin and natural curves…….. it’s all about the money for dr oz and the rest.
I feel bad that he has to tell us how to take care of our own hair. Embarrassing.
What are you talking about? Thousands of black women went natural years before this episode even aired.
That’s not what I’m talking about, the new crew doesn’t know much and for most it’s a fad. Relaxers are around because we don’t want to deal with our natural hair. Could you please move on now, thank you.
THANK GOD for relaxers because I’m NOT INTERESTED in dealing with my own hair! I have better things to do with my time!!!
it wasnt so much the show theme for me as it was that stylist using incorrect and cringe-worthy speech like “mainest” on national television. thats what made it feel thrown together
I actually liked the little snippets I got to see of the show and I didn’t get that same feeling, I just felt he was bringing more awarness to the whole natural hair “movement” I mean this is how we really should have been from the beginning! I don’t know what happened from the 60s-70s but there were a lot more naturals then than now. Some women still have no idea what’s going on and many believe I’m wearing a weave when I wear my natural hair.
Who owns natural hair? It seems when i watch blogs and read sites such as this (which i love) there is this claim of Natural hair ownership. This kind of “we did it first” mentality. There are no fore runners in natural hair. It is NATURAL hair, as in out your natural head, given by God. Any woman with natural hair (frankly black or white) can be an authority on Dr. Oz as long as she is speaking her experience. I have been natural all my life and being styled by natural hairstylist who have no vlog, blog, website or even a tweeter handle. Those people with social media followings are deluded to think they are pioneers in the natural hair community. I’m gland someone went on Dr. Oz and further normalized natural hair in this world.
I completely agree with you. Seems we’re just looking for reasons to complain…
Nothing wrong with it. He’s a very smart man. You can learn a lot from watching his show
I really hate the phrase “natural hair bandwagon”. When ppl decide to get healthy, diet, or workout, they are not called bandwagoners by fitness ppl… They are called ppl trying to make a positive change. Why do some of us natural feel we are MORE natural than the next person because our reason for starting the process may be different. I personally don’t care what motivates u to make a positive change… Whatever it takes to make u the best u that u decide to be… I’m all for it! #teamnaturalwithoutjudgement
Beautiful statement. So true.
Wonderfully said. I am from the uk and there is no judgement, we just do what works for us. It was little odd to watch the show as someone who has had natural hair most of my life, but at the same time these types of shows normalise natural hair as being a choice to be healthy overall and its not exclusive to black people to be natural.
Shevonn, I don’t like that phrase either but I can see where it is coming from. Back in 2006, I cut my hair and grew it out natural after getting a bad relaxer. In 2006, not many women were doing it. I don’t know how many times I was talked about or heard whispers about “how nappy my hair was” because it wasn’t relaxed. I think that phrase is coming from natural hair becoming a trend and so now everyone is doing it. Some for good reasons and some possibly to keep up with the trend. Whether we want to admit it or not, natural is now a trend. And that’s sad because it should not be, just like working out and eating healthy shouldn’t be.
I’m not gonna lie, I get tired of how people compliment me on my hair, “I love your natural hair.” No, it’s just my hair. You love my hair.
So true
We should start taking better care of our own hair more maybe most of us wont have so many issues with hair loss and breakage and disappearing hair lines j/s useing organic oils and deep treatments with go a long way and ur hair would be long and full
I actually lived the show as someone mentioned, “the awareness to the general public was just more nationalized.” I loved how the guest put it out there that it was cultural and I also loved how one guest put it out there that it helped find herself. One could lose themselves especially culturally in our society in America. I’m so glad this show aired!
America has not loved us yet and they wont love us now. This love we search from people who keep making money off us shows that many of us are not really emotionally mature and will always be the main source of income to smarter individuals.
Good for you a positive experience I’m glad! Ppl are so black white or other its ridiculous. A man did a show about hair. Does not need to know what color the ppl were..
All of a sudden natural hair is big business.
All he did was cut the hair
he held the pony tail, while the stylist cut it
You’re right
My hair is unruly, & refuses to be tamed by any product! I’m a licensed hairstylist & i STILL can’t get this hair in check! So i figured: weaves! Lol everybody always asking me if it’s natural & guess what i say? YUP! Pffft! Idc & it’s my hair. Not every black woman got that “Good Hair”
THAT’S RIGHT. Mine ain’t good at all
Speak for yourself about not liking it. You don’t have to be black to talk about natural hair. There are plenty of people who are interested and may not know about things and his show is a great platform. Stop throwing shade. It’s petty.
This part of the article is what black people need to wake up to “But then there is another side of it, a positive side that we have to pay close attention to. Natural hair is not just our hair any more. Now its a business and its a huge one that many people, regardless of ethnicity, are looking to score on.” So while you are all here talking about “woe is us for a white person to show us how to xyz” – those same people are PROFITING. WAKE UP BLACK PEOPLE.
“To me all this appeared to be a way to capitalize on something that is moving in a great direction, I expect that we will see the discussion more and more on television and not just on Dr. Oz but on other talk shows, radio shows and print media as well. ” Smart article
Thanks Barby Jayne I think you got it! 🙂
Barby Jayne YES and MILLIONS more black women are still unsure of what to do with their natural hair but I’m sure they will listen NOW that a white man showed them how to. Everyone has an opinion, you shouldn’t feel the need to respond to EVERY SINGLE person on this post. U don’t agree, keep it moving.
Big chop or small chop? Anyways, it’s simply a cut – first steps, much more commitment required.
How is choosing to wear your hair the way God made it a trend or bandwagon???
Who big chops like that? The woman’s hair was not wet and you could not clearly see the line of demarcation, where her natural hair/new growth and her relaxed hair meet. Therefore, the way her hair was cut may have resulted in some of her new growth being cut. That type of cut is only okay for someone who just wants shorter hair. As a stylist, with “one of the first natural hair salons” she should know better. I see why there was much criticism over this episode.
Meanwhile I don’t think he is telling us to go natural or how to care for our hair. .. he jus see the freedom n confidence so much black woman have gained mentally n displaying it and jus have to talk abt it bcaz its like a hot topic everybody wanna talk abt….
has anyone ever heard of the stylist? I couldn’t find a blog, a blog or YouTube channel for her. Just wondering what makes her an authority.
Black white purple or green. Natural hair is natural hair. Who cares who talks about it. If They have the knowledge to do so then so be it. I love my natural hair. Why does everything have to be about Black and white?
It’s easier to avoid grey areas.
Preeeaach!! Dr. Oz has a job he does it. End of story… smh at people
I loved it! It also brought awareness to other cultures/races of how enslaved we have been to chemicals. It isn’t easy leaving chemicals behind to be natural and feel beautiful and be accepted by our culture, the young lady actually cried after the big chop, feeling freed!
Y’all making nothing into something … Wat difference does it make that some haven’t heard of the stylist .. So damn extra .. Should be happy a cultural experience and cultural movement is even talked about and shared mainstream
Who is we
I am a Cosmetologist natural is not for everyone. We all have different hair pattern. So if you decided to go natural that fine too. But please go to someone to take care of your hair. I have seen ppl hair fall out from going natural. You have to make sure your hair is strong enough to natural. Talk to your hairdresser but you make that transition. I found out it’s not for me.
NOT for me either!!!!
i thought it was cool!
I actually did the water test to see if my natural hair was damaged…and my hair floated, which makes me even more happy about my decision on being natural…my hair is healthier now, than when I had my relaxer.
If I go more than 12 weeks without a relaxer my hair falls out like crazy
well written article
I agree Barby Jayne.
I’ve always complained that black hair products are over priced. I have a weave in my profile picture.
The Asians sell the hair, that market is covered. Now it seems that since black women have decided to go natural they need to figure out how to convince us that only certain products will work on our hair now.
BS! You could braid it and it would still be natural underneath. You don’t need to buy expensive product.
She seems to be an expert on all types of hair, which makes her perfect for Oz’s show!
I been natural since 2008 I big chopped twice my last BC was Oct. 28, 2012 long or short I love natural hair and can’t wait to google this episode cause Dr. Oz be on his ish
“Good hair” is healthy and well cared for. Smh my sisters, my sisters
Nope, it’s hair that is manageable, soft, pretty and curly (NOT NAPPY) that you don’t have to worry about perming!!!! Let’s get real and honest!!!!
What exactly is the issue here? Because it’s Dr. Oz a white male? Or because the stylist isn’t popular online? Really, what is the issue here?
I am quite intrigued by all these comments but I totally disagree with some of them and would just like to share that my natural hair journey only started 13 weeks ago. .prior to that I weaved for 2 years with no chemical in my hair. I have decided to go natural not because it had become trendy at all. I did it because I was educated about the quality and authenticity of my natural hair. I have only been exposed to pressing comb that was used to make ma hair “easier” to manage from 9 years old..then relaxer etc.. because I had been told I had coarse “nappy” hair that doesnt grow enough…well because of the natural hair hype. .I have been educated about what texture my hair is and what products suits my hair..I love it but it does not liberate me in any way or maybe it does in a way because my identity is very transparent and authentic.
Interesting
Some things should remain a mystery to others regarding us.
“Paintbrush” lol
dr oz depend on you to let us know the health benefits of natural hair and why applying chemical to your scalp every 8 weeks is not healthy why not appreciating your natural self destroys self esteem
know the feeling.
What’s wrong with it u learn from watching the show why does it matter
Dr Oz is culturally aware of the trends women are facing today by going natural, if they chose to
Kerimah Rogers I really wish you & loka didn’t feel that way. You do realize that nappy hair can be soft, manageable and curly right? Sigh, at this point we’ll have to agree to disagree.
Another thing, the chemical straightening process is called RELAXING not PERMING.
#stick to medicine
Doctor Oz covers topics for all
people . I appreciate that.
Black people still don’t embrace their hair…thats something we should ‘kinda not like’
Been natural for almost 5 yrs and I love the fact that this is a tv!!!! I just dont buy commercial products!!!
my natural hair is long curly and soft and beautiful i put nothing on and i mean nothing not even oils i take that back i put hand lotion on it from time to time but other than that i love wearing braids and ill flat iron my hair but let me wash it it’ll curl right up not nap up everyone’s natural is different
I love Dr.Oz for this! Thanks for taking it mainstream!!
I watched this and they cut off some of her healthy hair. Do they know what they are doing? That’s not how you big chop.