The Editor:
Dear Madam,
Let me congratulate you on the new look of Flair, It is different, inviting and interesting. I enjoyed your feature on "Naturally Mine" (January 22). Black women wear natural hair beautifully and today there are so many exciting and eye-catching ways to show off natural hair. I, like so many, fell prey to the "creamed hair" lure and now I wish I could press a button and regain my natural tresses! So I applaud those who wear it and wear it well.
However, I must take great exception to the inclusion of braids as part of the natural hair style group. To me, braids are one of the most unnatural things a woman could do to herself. How can attaching someone else's hair or something that looks like hair to your own, be natural? If it were not so ridiculous, it would be downright pathetic.
Black women do not naturally have braids down to their waist or long strands of finely plaited hair which curl at the end. It is totally unnatural and very false and, might I add, can be so unattractive. At times we have to wonder if a woman is wearing mop strands, cord, twine or something else. Part of the braid is plaited, part is curled, part is brown, part is black, how natural is that? I would even give those with processed hair more credit because at least they are working with what God gave them.
So let's applaud the really natural hair and the proud ladies who sport it but let's not confuse them with the braided group who are still struggling with the "tall hair" identification problem.
By the way ladies, our men like to run their fingers through real hair, long or short not the false, cord like, unnatural twine that you pretend is hair.
Arlene Fraiser
P.O. Box 320
Kingston 8
The Editor:
Dear Madam,
Despite the high level of crime, unemployment and harsh economic climate there is so much for Jamaicans to be thankful for.
Jamaica to me is heaven on earth, if only we take the time to notice the beauty around us constantly being displayed by nature especially if you live in the country.
Everyday I wake up to the beautiful scenery of lush green hills. That alone brings joy to my thoughts as some things you can't find words to express.
Those of us who have to travel along the roadways (Yallahs main road) cannot miss the spectacle green trees along the road covered with thousands of white blossoms will take away anyone's breath for a minute or two. I like to call these brides, due to the fact they're all covered in white.
Though the most beautiful part of the day is spent at work in the days the tropical sun caresses the blue crystal waters of the Caribbean Sea, creating millions of glittering jewels on the immense blue waters.
Don't be disappointed that you miss that show as in the evenings there is so much fireworks when the setting sun ignites the sky and sea.
And just when you think there is no more beauty for your eyes to behold there is a moonlit night that transforms everything it touches into silver. This is when I truly thank God for the country of my birth, and for all the people around me and those who influence my life.
Then I realise that the most precious gifts are for free.
Dahlia Graham,
St. Thomas
