The internet has been buzzing since a clip of comedienne Sheryl Underwood saying that afro hair is “nappy”, “beady” and not worth saving went viral. After receiving a fair bit of backlash, she spoke with blogger Curly Nikki about why she made her statement, and whether she struggles with self hate.
I’m not what you think I am. I don’t have self-hate. I am not ashamed of my Blackness or who I am. In high school I had a giant afro. In college I was militant. I loved my afro puff. My dad instilled Black pride in me. I have no hair shame whatsoever.
She also talked about the struggles she’s faced in the entertainment industry as a plus-sized black woman:
You have no idea what I and other’s in the business have been through. I often feel uncomfortable. For years I’ve had to face… I’m not ‘Black’, I’m ‘too Black’, I’m not ‘fat’, I’m ‘too fat’, someone who looks like me, who works in the business I work in, it’s difficult. Everybody talks about the way I look and it’s our people that have been the hardest on me.
She also mentioned that she has worn her natural hair on the red carpet before.
The full interview is very interesting. Go to CurlyNikki.com to read the whole thing.
