Here was Lee’s reply:
“Hello Emmitt–I am the ‘black lady’ to which you are referring. I’m sorry you don’t like my ethnic hair. And no I don’t have cancer. I’m a non-smoking, 5’3, 121 lbs, 25-mile-a-week running, 37.5 year old woman, and I’m in perfectly healthy physical condition.
“I am very proud of my African-American ancestry which includes my hair. For your edification: traditionally our hair doesn’t grow downward. It grows upward.
“Many Black women use strong straightening agents in order to achieve a more European grade of hair and that is their choice. However in my case I don’t find it necessary.”
“I’m very proud of who I am and the standard of beauty I display. Women come in all shapes, sizes, nationalities, and levels of beauty. Showing little girls that being comfortable in the skin and HAIR God gave me is my contribution to society. Little girls (and boys for that matter) need to see that what you look like isn’t a reason to not achieve their goals.”
“Conforming to one standard isn’t what being American is about and I hope you can embrace that.
“Thank you for your comment and have a great weekend and thank for watching.”
What was wrong with that response? It was eloquent, respectful and insightful. Why was Lee fired for appropriately defending her heritage?
Lee should be reinstated to her position in Shreveport immediately and ABC should adopt a policy to manage racial postings by viewers.
Anything less is unacceptable.
“Race has been the issue with me since I started,” Lee told Prince. “That much is very true. Weather is an older white boy business and arms have been less than open for a young black girl — a polar opposite.”
Forecasters are calling for 70-degree temperatures in Shreveport this weekend, but Lee, unfortunately, continues to get the cold shoulder.
COMMENTARY: Black Woman Fired Over Response to Short Hairstyle was originally published on blackamericaweb.com
