Why a Hairstyle Made Headlines

[undergroundrailroad]

By Robin Givhan
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, April 7, 2006; C01

When Rep. Cynthia McKinney (D-Ga.) summoned the media to Howard University last week to tell her side of the story in an altercation with a Capitol Police officer, she assumed the traditional news conference position behind a podium and a bank of microphones.

She stood there wearing a coral-colored jacket and dangling earrings and raising the serious issue of racial injustice. But it was impossible not to stare at her hair. As your plainspoken mother might say, it appeared to be standing all over her head.

McKinney, perspiring lightly, talked about having been stopped, touched and disrespected by the officer. The congresswoman, who is African American, suggested that the police officer, who is white, had engaged in racial profiling. He has alleged that she struck him with her cellphone.

The incident evolved into a hullabaloo. By yesterday she had apologized on the House floor, expressing her "sincere regret" over the incident. She still may be prosecuted for her part in the dispute.

Aesthetically speaking, it was not one of McKinney's better moments. Her hair, which she had for years worn in thick braids, seemed to be in a limbo between a polished Afro and a head of funky twists. Had the humidity gotten to it?

Continue here.

[politicasista]

1. She looks like she could be Angie Stone's twin sister

really. :hi:

[msgadget]

2. Great article

but I can't imagine McKinney choosing an 'underdog' style. If anything I thought she chose the wrapped braid style because it looked regal, sedate and countered her reputation for lettin' loose.

Personally, I'm having a bad hair DECADE. In fact, if ya see me, do me the favor of pretending you don't know me until I get this mane in order. Thanks.

[msgadget]

3. This offers a unique perspective

http://www.fromthewilderness.com/cgi-bin/MasterPFP.cgi?doc=http://www.fromthewilderness.com/free/ww3/041106_beloved_mckinney.shtml|The Beloved Cynthia McKinney>

A White Ex Cop Speaks Out About a Georgia Congresswoman
by Michael C. Ruppert

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Almost every armchair pundit (left or right) who has criticized Cynthia McKinney has told only part of her story.

When she was returned to congress, her party, overlooking well-documented procedure with a number of historical precedents, refused to give her back the seniority to which she was entitled. In terms of committee assignments, instead of being a six-term senior member of her committees, she was a freshman. This placed her last on the list of questioners, last in terms of pecking order, last in terms of recognition, and last in terms of agenda setting. She was denied her old spot on the House Foreign Relations committee. She was moved further and further away from the coveted and influential title of “ranking member” that she should have been approaching. Should the House revert back to Democratic control this year she might have even chaired a committee. God forbid!

They did throw the Negro woman McKinney a bone in the form of a nicer office than before (the only place where her true seniority was recognized). “Here bitch, drive this Cadillac and shut up!”

While House Democratic leadership under Nancy Pelosi of California has been brutal to Cynthia McKinney, the treatment afforded her by the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) has been equally despicable. Not only did the CBC not fight for McKinney’s legitimate seniority, it also seems that they have taken pleasure in snubbing her. Solidarity my ass.

One anecdote paints the picture pretty clearly.

Last fall, after I had acted as a questioner for two panels sponsored by McKinney at the CBC’s annual convention, I was surprised as she handed me a ticket to the CBC formal banquet. This is a big annual event and I sat just a few tables away from John Kerry. Howard Dean was a few tables past Kerry. More than a thousand people, dressed to the nines, filled a crowded ballroom.

Cynthia was a no-show and it didn’t take long to figure out why. As every black member of Congress was introduced by seniority, starting with the Honorable John Conyers of Michigan, Cynthia McKinney’s name was saved for last. Even the Congressional Black Caucus could not recognize a sister’s seniority and service, not even when it wouldn’t have cost them a thing.

Where was Cynthia during that dinner? She wasn’t there. She was off violating a direct order from Nancy Pelosi not to attend a massive anti-war rally on the Mall. She was standing with Cindy Sheehan. She was giving a speech denouncing the war in Iraq and the Bush administration. She was doing her job. I sat at McKinney’s table next to my ad hoc dinner partner Kathleen Cleaver, weeping over the insult on McKinney. Not once since have I seen Cynthia McKinney even flinch over it.

I have watched Cynthia McKinney quietly and gracefully endure monstrous insults, sleights and provocations that I could never keep silent over. I have watched the world wait for a misplaced burp or worse from her and I have watched her refuse to take the bait on at least fifty occasions.

Are revolutions started because those in revolt rise to offered bait? I think not.

In the case of Cynthia McKinney and the Capitol Hill Police officer, I, like the rest of those reading this story, have not seen what happened. There may be a tape that will surface at some point as we wait to see whether a grand jury will indict her on idiotic charges of assault. I don’t know whether the Capitol Hill Cop was white or black, young or old, a rookie or a veteran. I wish it all hadn’t happened and I’d bet Cynthia feels the same way.

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[Brewman_Jax]

4. Here's another article

from The Black Commentator at http://www.blackcommentator.com/179/179_cover_mckinney_cowardly_caucus.html

[Karenina]

5. Great piece!!! THANK YOU!!!

I was waiting for them to weigh in!

This thread is also quite relevant to the discussion.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=103x205781#205999

[Zookeeper]

6. I like McKinney's new hairstyle...

but I'm annoyed that it has been such a big topic of conversation. Aside from the argument that the security guard may not have recognized her, what the heck does her hair have to do with anything?

How much time does the media spend fretting about a male politician's hair?

(Rant not directed at you, Undergroundrailroad.)

[bobbieinok]

7. well, Clinton held up a plane for a haircut.....wasn't that the claim??

and I remember hearing some retired farmers say that IA senator Culver must spend way too much time working on his hairstyle and they were voting for Grassley.

(sorry if this is a bit off topic)