“New Jersey Professor Says Black Community Sees
Nappy Headed Hair As Disgusting and Repulsive”
Shock Jock Don Imus’ Statement Reveals Hidden
Truth In The Black Community
For Immediate Release
April 16, 2007
Contact: Aliya Kenyatta - 215-325-1893 or 570-856-5178
donedeal8@earthlink.net
Albrightsville, PA
—“The reaction of Black people to radio personality Don Imus’s statement about nappy
hair illustrates the deeply imbedded hatred that Black people have about their hair,” says William Paterson University Professor
Kamau Kenyatta.” Kenyatta, along with students at the University, has scheduled a Hair Forum to deal directly with the subject
of Nappy Hair and The Black Community. The forum will be held on the campus of William Paterson University in Wayne, NJ on April 25
at 7 p. m. in the Atrium Auditorium of the University. It is free and open to the public.
Kenyatta, the co-author of the book,
The Truth About Black hairstyles: The Whole Story Revealed
, (see
amazon.com
) is not new to the issue of Black self-hatred of their hair. Not only has he written
about it, but he has lectured extensively about this topic over the past decade. He asserts that “Shock jock Don Imus
only said what many Black people say about their hair in private and in public, which is the very same thing I’ve been saying
for years. In fact, every Black person who straightens their hair is proof positive that they hate their god-given nappy hair and will
do anything and everything within their power to eliminate it. Whether they do it by using a hot comb, applying dangerous chemicals
or sewing in hair weaves, it’s an ever present testimonial that Black people hate their kinky, nappy hair,”
says Kenyatta.
Shock jock Imus was
recently taken to task for making what many characterize as vile, vicious and racist remarks about the Rutgers University women’s
basketball team when he called the women “a bunch of nappy headed hos.” Kenyatta, and others like him argue that similar
statements can be heard and seen daily in Black music and Black movies. Yet, those who use those medium do not come under attack by
the Black community. “Imus’ statements only reveal a hidden and ugly side of Black life that many do not want to openly
talk about. This forum will shed light on this secretive issue, and what comes out of it will leave many in shock,”
says Kenyatta.
The forum is scheduled
to tour college campuses and community organizations across the nation over the next few months.
Professor Kenyatta is available for
interviews and comments.
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