From Coco + Creme – Of the myriad attacks against natural hair, one that comes from a professional hairstylist is especially distressing. Oprah Winfrey’s hairstylist, Andre Walker, shared his less-than-favorable view of natural hair, particularly, kinky type 4 textures, with Elle Magazine:
I always recommend embracing your natural texture. Kinky hair can have limited styling options; that’s the only hair type that I suggest altering with professional relaxing.
Clearly, Andre subscribes to the school of thinking that there are hardly any hairstyle choices for women with kinky hair though one look at Natural Hair YouTube channel shows that couldn’t be further from the truth.
After his comments were met with disdain and outrage on the internet, he offered up some kind of explanation:
Let me first say that there is no such thing as “bad” hair, and I have long ago freed myself from being afraid to use the word “kinky” and also from being accused of not liking natural hair. We have become a multi-cultural society that embraces many different looks and styles when it comes to hair. It is my Mission to help you grow strong, healthy hair, and wear it in the style or styles that best suit your likes and particular hair type.
