Surgeon General: “Black women don’t exercise because they don’t want to sweat their hair out.”
August 28, 2011 by Admin
Filed under Beauty & Fashion, Health, Life
While speaking on health at the recent Bronner Brothers Hair Show, the United States Surgeon General, Dr. Regina M. Benjamin told the New York Times: “Oftentimes you get women saying, ‘I can’t exercise today because I don’t want to sweat my hair back or get my hair wet.’ When you’re starting to exercise, you look for reasons not to, and sometimes the hair is one of those reasons.â€
Her comments caused some in the Black community to take exception as they felt that her remarks unfairly singled out Black women.
Do you agree that Black women don’t exercise because they don’t want to sweat out their hairstyles? Ladies, speak up — what do you do with your hair when you work out?
While speaking on health at the recent Bronner Brothers Hair Show, the United States Surgeon General, Dr. Regina M. Benjamin told the New York Times: “Oftentimes you get women saying, ‘I can’t exercise today because I don’t want to sweat my hair back or get my hair wet.’ When you’re starting to exercise, you look for reasons not to, and sometimes the hair is one of those reasons.â€
Her comments caused some in the Black community to take exception as they felt that her remarks unfairly singled out Black women.
I did not see anywhere in the statement that Black Women, the statement was Wmen.
While the hair issue is not the only issue why Black women do not work out, it plays into it. Same reason why we do not play water games at the company picnic. I work out but the hair is an issue for me. Some days I have to tell myself, to make sure that I exercise and some days I choose between exercising and the hair. Some of us do not have the finances to go to the hair dresser. I have even thought of buying a wig to make up for the days when my hair is so sweatty but I am not a big fan of wigs.
That’s a darn shame. Get yo big butt up, put a scarf on your head and get to working out. You would rather have your hair all buttered up then to be healthy. Don’t no man want a sick and out of shape woman even if he is. You can always get your du done but not your health. Black women your priorties are out of place. I keep my hair buttered and I work out 3 times a week. Come on sisters, get with it!
Unfortunately, this is common practice amongst our sisters. For a season, I too stopped exercising because of this, but soon recognized that it was a poor excuse and got delivered!!!
This is a very true statement. I usually sport a short cut that would sweat out during the workout. If I got my hair done… Three days later when the freshness wore off. Then I could workout. Now that I’ve seen my lack of dedication has shown it’s side….. I decided to get sew-in weave and I workout four times a week. It is a true sacrifice to make because you want to look good on the inside as well as the outside.
This is not breaking news. there is nothing new in what she said, Of course she’s correct. She should have talked about how she and us can get started.
When dealing with an issue for all people, stick to the facts and stay on the course. I am a black woman and my hair has never been a reason for not exercising or doing anything else. I think the remark was one of ignorance. Just wash your hair – that is what I do. Besides, exercising is not the only thing to make me sweat. If I stopped activities that cause me to sweat every now and then I would have a non-existing life. On another note: Black American we must stop stereotyping ourselves and being our own worse enemy. We are a beautiful race of people and should embrace where we come from and the remarkable history of our people, just as every race should.
Ouch! This is very true- even though we don’t want to admit it. Not sure but were there suggestions made on how a black woman could wear their hair (while they are working out) or care for their hair and/or style suggestions they could try out to keep hair maintenance at a minimum while taking care of their temple. It’s hard for use because we unlike other ethnicities, it is not good for us to wash our hair everyday but the salt from the sweat does damage our dry hair. I currently wear my hair naturally curly but when I do blow my hair straight, I do yoga or pilates or walk/run outside whereby I do not perspire as much and wear my hair in a loose ponytail with a clip so my scalp can breathe- this helps my hair not to get too frizzy.
I agree with the Surgeon General. It is hard to upkeep your hair as a black woman when you work out. I decided the benefits of working out far outweighted the vanity of wanting my hair to look wonderful everyday! I learned to dress my hair up by putting my hair in a pretty bun when I work out. The benefits of working out keeps me connected to God, I have more energy, I look better and feel better and the emotionally stability it brings the best hairdo can’t replace. I empathize with my sisters concerning your hair especially if you work in an environnment where your appearance is everything.
It’s true. I have said it many times over and I thank her for exposing it (me)!
It’s true but I realized I would rather have my limbs than be in a wheelchair or stroked out with a whipped hair do. I work out 4x’s a week and park my car far from the entrance of any store or mall so I can get an extra mini walk in. Its not easy but Im determined not to let diabetes kill me.
This is so true! Besides me having knee problems that ususally set me back but when I’m truly into working out I sport a short curly do that is done with curling irons. I pull the hair back from my face so the front doesn’t get wet and lose it’s curl. I have a swimming pool and really want to get into swimming but I think about my hair getting wet. So I’ve decided to get a sew-in weave (which I don’t like) and begin to stroke. My sista’s be real now! You know it’s true. Excerise or me will elimante some of this knee pain and with enough weight lost my Type 2 Diabetes will be gone (no more medication). Ladies we got to live longer. Maybe we should go back to the 70′s and wear our Afros! Trust me I thought about it! Love you my sista’s.
IT’s absolutely true. Is it a GOOD excuse? NO! But it’s true. I normally sport a short cut and that cost $75 each time. So, it’s hard sometimes to choose. I had braid for four months and I was working out four times a week. When I got the braids out (which I now regret) I was nervous to work out, not because I didn’t want to, but because I know my budget doesn’t let me get my hair done every 3 days! As a working professional, a singer, and a person in minisry, I have events weekly, and though it’s wrong I have chosen the outside look over being consistently healthy. But the surgeon general needs to get her hair done AND work out as well… So…we’re all guilty. We;ll get it together, won’t we ladies??? Blessings to you ALL!
This is a very insipid remark, her epistemology is conjecture at best, the context of her statement may shed some light on the overwhelming statistics of obesity that affect the Black population as a whole,but laying claims without statistics merit to confirm is just playing a fly in the ointment.
Whatever nucleus she is referring to;individual analysis would be more convincing than just an abstract statement. There are some women that don’t understand the fact that exercise and diet go hand in hand, some who enable their busy schedules as a pre-cursor to good health,some who cannot get to a facility to exercise, because they do not have transportation,or cable at least to view an exercise program, family commitments;as the population is aging children are becoming caregivers and this is very time consuming. So, as a way to relief stress, and get some “me” time in inclinations are deduced to a day at the salon. These are not excuses, just fact factual insights that are the results of my curious nature.
Personally, I exercise every chance I get, and yes I do sweat my hair. How do I handle this?–I let it dry,I maintain my short cut by applying a leave in conditioner,and before I go to bed, wrap my head in a “silk” scarf.
So madame Surgeon General don’t be so quick to make such an indictment without thorough investigation.
This is such a irresponsible statement! When will someone care enough to nurture the black female in this country, we have so many enemies and adversities! This is hurtful…. God help us!!!
I exercise three times a week and my hair is an issue especially if I intend to go out the same day. What I do is workout with a sweat band on and after I shower, I bump my hair with my flatiron. My hair is naturally straight but does get frizzy in the Florida humidity. I wash & condition once a week.
Ms. “V”
Jacksonville, Florida
I dont agree with the people who are criticizing the Surgeon General. We actually need to workout to reduce our chances of cancer, diabetes, heart disease and the like that affects us. I agree, there are women who will not work out because they have to preserve their hair. That is not a lie. But we also have women who do workout regularly, regardless of their hairstyle. I too have long relaxed hair and I sweat mostly in my scalp. What i usually do with my hair is to gather it into a loose ponytail on the top of my head as i sweat in the back of my scalp and on my neck, an around my edges so this keeps my hair dry and keeps it from “reverting”. I think that is what all women are afraid of, lol. Then when i go home, i use the blow dryer on a cool setting to dry my edges if they haven’t dried naturally on the trip home from the gym. You can also wrap it while its wet to keep it straight. When it gets really rough, I’ll put my hair in a cute bun until i get a chance to wash it, which is usually once a week with a deep conditioner to prevent it from drying out from the salty sweat.
Happy sweating ladies!
Sistas please STOP with excuse about the hair.Maybe if you all would stop getting perms you wouldnt have to worry about your hair.My work out partner lost half of his leg and he still goes 5 days a week.
Oh YeaH !!!!Surgeon General, Dr. Regina M. Benjamin you need to get your little chunky butt in the gym to!!!!!
ABSOLUTELY NOT! I exercise all the time and watch what I eat… it has nothing to do with your hair, its your will and determination.. and that is with any race! You have many other cultures and ethnicities that say the same thing, especially after they have spent several thousands on their hair style… I have heard women of all races talk about their mates kissing them after they get their make-up done, it is the same with exercise.. it is an excuse the person makes for not wanting to do the activity.. In our community we need to support each other with weight loss and execise. I started a group on facebook called “Brothers and Sisters for Healthy Eating Coalition”. this group was first geared towards helping the African American community wake up and realize that the prayer line is not the answer when it comes to high blood pressure, obesity, or high cholesterol.. its what we eat! Many of the foods that the Lord has placed on earth can assist with our aliments.. Cinnamon is an excellent blood thinner and it assists with mentral cramps, honey is an antibacterial that can assist with burns, Blueberries are good for upset stomach, there is so much to learn.. and for the sisters who want to maintain their hair, Extra Virgin Olive Oil is good for split ends and maintaining healthy, long hair… not the products in the store… So, exercise and mess up that hair, then add the olive oil for moisture.. Let’s get serious about our health people.
What an untelligent editorial if in fact the Surgeon General made that unfounded comment. She can speak for herself but she does not represent 99% of African American women who enjoy the all natural beauty of our hair, skin and body. Let her know that the sisters who embrace our natural hairdo do not have a problem sweating. If she would put more thought into her thoughts and less mess in her opinons she will be able to combat the serious illnesses within our race-not hair. God bless her.
The surgeon general is 100% correct. Most black women don’t exercise and if yo make a suggestion. They will turn it around and say something like” I’m fat now.” Yes, sweatheart. You have been fat for sometime. i have been for sometime trying to figure out a way to tell you with tact.
This is not true. I do not feel this way, at all, Hen. Yes, I am Black. The decision to exercise,or not due to hair style protection ? Solution: wrap it, and workout. Question: Why should you need tact- to tell someone else about their body. In the words of my mother, Within “ANY” given year, people have 6 months- to mind their “Business”, and another 6 months :”to leave other’s “Alone.”
This should free up some time for you.