57 Channels (and Something's On)

Late-night talk show devotees may be concerned about the long-term impact of the strike launched by the Writers Guild of America on November 5 ... but they need not worry, for there are TV stations out there that offer plenty of unscripted drama -- with dashes of comedy thrown in for good measure. Two such examples are C-SPAN and The Weather Channel.
Not a day goes by when I don't tune in to see meteorologists like Jim Cantore report on climate conditions across the United States. The Weather Channel is my go-to source for information when a natural disaster occurs (my oldest brother lives in Florida, where many hurricanes tend to make landfall), and it's a treat to hear Dave Schwartz deliver the outdoor temperatures -- which dictate what I wear and what I do -- along with an occasional quip.
When I'm not tracking the weather, I'm following politics on C-SPAN. My favorite show is Prime Minister's Questions, where I get to see democracy in action as the House of Commons presses the British prime minister on issues of interest to their constituents. But the best part of the program is listening to Gordon Brown and David Cameron throw verbal jabs at each other, and having the speaker get in on the action is a bonus. (I preferred Betty Boothroyd's spitfire personality to Michael Martin's droll demeanor in governing the weekly sessions.)
Speaking of politics, money and egos are what's keeping television writers and studio executives apart in the negotiation process; they disagree on how online revenue should be shared between the two parties. As a fan of The Tonight Show With Jay Leno -- "Jaywalking" is my favorite segment -- I think both sides should try to reach an agreement as soon as possible. However, if the strike drags on indefinitely, I won't lose any sleep, for real life always makes for better entertainment.

Mirror, Mirror

"Keeping it real" is a popular phrase in the Black community. Yet, when it comes to the images that its women project to the world, people don't always see the real thing.
Black women have an ongoing love/hate relationship with their hair, whether they wear it natural (like India.Arie) or have it relaxed (as I do). We cut it, color it, lock it, and lengthen it -- all in the name of making ourselves beautiful. This phenomenon dates back to the heyday of Madam C.J. Walker ... and over the last 40 years, entertainers such as Diana Ross and Beyoncé Knowles have become equally known for their many talents as well as their changing hairdos. Unfortunately, the pervasiveness of Black women sporting wigs and weaves sends a troubling message to society about how we see ourselves.
The root cause -- no pun intended -- of this problem is self-hatred, and it's not just skin deep. Relaxing one's hair eventually thins it out (as I learned the hard way), and braiding extensions into one's hair can lead to breakage. Instead of accepting our hair texture for what it is, we mask our insecurities by trying to conform to someone else's definition of beauty. (At the risk of sounding like a hypocrite, I don't have a problem with Black women who straighten their hair so it's easier to comb or wear wigs because of chemotherapy ... but I do take issue with those who go from Yul Brenner to Crystal Gayle in less than 24 hours and try to act nonchalant about it.)
In 2007 and beyond, Black women need to heed India.Arie's advice and "redefine who we be," for "it's not what's on your head -- it's what's underneath" that will determine one's path in life.