Warning: Proximity to me causes adventures. ([info]karnythia) wrote in [info]blackfolk,
2006-07-20 00:49:00
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My letter to the View

Barbara Walters,

I recently watched an episode of the View featuring Brandy as a guest host. I was shocked, and somewhat taken aback when you asked her whether or not her hair was real. I felt it was very rude, and disrespectful not to mention it must have been embarassing for her. However, I assumed that it was a one time thing, and that you would realize after seeing the uncomfortable expression on her face that you had commited a faux pas. Imagine my surprise when you repeated the performance with another black co-host, going so far as to actually pull her hair while asking her if it was real. Clearly, at some point you have gotten the message that this behavior is acceptable. It is most definitely unacceptable, and as I have never seen you do this to a single white co-host or guest, I must admit I wonder if you think that black women are somehow not worthy of simple courtesy. If the situation were reversed and they had grabbed your hair and asked if it was real, would you have been sanguine? Or would you have been offended? I suspect that such behavior would not have been well received on your part, and I hope you now know that you should never treat anyone as an exhibit.

Karnythia

I plan to rewrite it slightly to send to the network.

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  • 33 comments

[info]terebithia

July 20 2006, 06:03:11 UTC 5 years ago

Hm. I hadn't heard of this yet.
But your letter seems to be very on point.
It is very rude indeed to act that way towards someone on television. Did Brandy say anything at all?

[info]karnythia

July 20 2006, 06:06:18 UTC 5 years ago

She looked to shocked to respond, though she tried to move away. Here's the video of Brandy and Tanika Ray.

[info]lagrimasxplatas

5 years ago

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[info]anayasmom

July 20 2006, 06:50:09 UTC 5 years ago

I need to write a letter because I am still upset that she seemingly got away with that and she might think that it's okay.

I honestly want to ask her what the hell would she have done if after pulling Tankia Ray's hair it came off in her hand. Then what? What the hell was she looking for?

[info]jamara125

July 20 2006, 10:43:07 UTC 5 years ago

Now you gon tell me that after 9 ( or whatever number) sesons with Star Jones... Walters couldnt spot some fake hair

Come on now.. B... for real...

[info]espnchick1920

July 20 2006, 11:27:49 UTC 5 years ago

*LMAO*

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA...

[info]espnchick1920

July 20 2006, 11:26:25 UTC 5 years ago

OH.MY.GOSH!!!

PUUUHHH-LEEEZZEE tell me that Baba Wawa did NOT do that!!!

Actually, not to blame EVERYTHING on Star, but I can't help but wonder if she is somehow responsible for Barbara's train of thought regarding Black women's hair. Not that I was ever a huge fan of The View (that's WAAAAYYYY too much estrogen for me),but wasn't Star quite unapologetic about wearing wigs and weaves? If that was the case,then that might POSSIBLY account for Barbara's attitude and subsequent actions. You know how white people see ONE Black person doing something and they automatically assume that ALL Black people act and think the same way...

[info]laeva

July 20 2006, 12:54:46 UTC 5 years ago

Re: OH.MY.GOSH!!!

It's possible, but on the other hand, shouldn't working with Star have taught her not to paw at it? Or maybe she couldn't work up the nerve back then.

[info]mitajoey

July 20 2006, 14:26:30 UTC 5 years ago

Re: OH.MY.GOSH!!!

Since she's never done it to Star, I figured Star must have told her not to, but I'd forgotten that all she wears is wigs, so maybe that's why. But she's never done it to any black guests on the show either, that I know of, so I have to wonder why NOW she feels the need to.

[info]mzzzunderstood

5 years ago

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[info]mitajoey

5 years ago

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[info]karnythia

July 20 2006, 13:08:01 UTC 5 years ago

Re: OH.MY.GOSH!!!

I wasn't a regular View watcher, but I could swear I remember Star telling everyone that it was rude to feel up Black women's hair. Though it could have gone in one ear and out the other with Barbara.

[info]misslaura

July 21 2006, 13:08:30 UTC 5 years ago

Re: OH.MY.GOSH!!!

You're right, I've remember seeing that episode

[info]papertigers

July 20 2006, 13:32:19 UTC 5 years ago

Re: OH.MY.GOSH!!!

You know how white people see ONE Black person doing something and they automatically assume that ALL Black people act and think the same way...

and that, right there, makes it Barbara's fault, no matter what Star might have allowed her to do or say. i don't care how typical it is of White people, that assumption is always grounds for an asskicking.

[info]highyella

5 years ago

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[info]papertigers

5 years ago

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[info]highyella

5 years ago

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[info]papertigers

5 years ago

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[info]littleeva

July 20 2006, 12:14:29 UTC 5 years ago

I am SO glad you wrote that. I looked at the site and read the comments, I think all the folks were shocked at what she did. Mom says Barbara needs to retire and sit on a beach in Florida or something, I agree.

[info]ktempest

July 20 2006, 12:58:25 UTC 5 years ago

Oh, you must send it. MUST.

[info]karnythia

July 20 2006, 13:09:12 UTC 5 years ago

Oh, it's been sent.

[info]littleeva

July 20 2006, 13:27:42 UTC 5 years ago

If this is any comfort, Mom is one of those Nielson folks (she wears a device that picks up TV and radio signals then she sends them to Nielson), I think she represents about 8,000 people and she says she ain't wathing The View anymore because she thinks Bitsy should take a hike and Baba Wawa should retire.

[info]kstone20059

July 20 2006, 13:36:18 UTC 5 years ago

Wow [info]karnythia that letter was surprisingly calm for you. No death threats or nothing...

[info]karnythia

July 20 2006, 13:37:09 UTC 5 years ago

It was the third draft, the first two were...less pleasant.

[info]kstone20059

5 years ago

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[info]keeni84

July 20 2006, 15:35:09 UTC 5 years ago

LOL

[info]gloriousburdens

July 20 2006, 14:24:00 UTC 5 years ago

Kill 'em.

Deleted comment

[info]wicked_rage

July 20 2006, 17:50:16 UTC 5 years ago

On point! I was disgusted when I watched Barbara ruffle a grown woman's hair like that. It was like she was some kind of pet.

[info]abrownskinlady

July 20 2006, 19:27:31 UTC 5 years ago

Yeah that letter was needed. But its crazy she did that mess twice but you know im not suprised. I've had white girls ask me if my hair is real and I wear a dam fro.

[info]havesomecocoa

July 20 2006, 20:56:45 UTC 5 years ago

At least she didnt say, "And it's SOOOOOO soft!!!" and nearly die from shock.


These bitches make me sick.

[info]cleojones

July 21 2006, 03:21:30 UTC 5 years ago

Here's mine...

Dear Ms. Walters,

I just want you to know that your behavior with Tanika and Brandy was extremely rude and incredibly offensive.

It would be like another woman reaching out and groping your nose and saying "Wow, I've never seen a Jewish nose up close before...I had to touch it. Are all Jewish noses like that?".

We black women, are made to feel like "exotic others" enough, without having to be pawed and groped by strangers who feel it is within their rights to do so.

You actually, ruined Tanika's hair, with your heavy pawing!

Newsflash, white women wear weaves, have wigs, especially in Hollywood. I'm sure you know that. But you never ask them if their hair is real. I wonder why?

We are human beings just like you. We should be treated as such and not like your personal pet.

[info]misslaura

July 21 2006, 13:19:54 UTC 5 years ago

For the win

I pray that you sent that to her, it's poetry
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