Source: WENN
We all have our preferences; but if you’re not careful, the way you word them and share them with the public could rub a lot of people the wrong way. And though he meant every word he said, that is exactly what happened to famed, South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela.
The 76-year-old musician recently performed at Rhodes University in Grahamstown, South Africa. After his set, two students, asked to take a picture with him.
According to the City Press, with information from student journalist Sanele Ntshingana, he told two weaved young ladies:
“You’re lucky that you were sneaky enough to have him take a picture of you next to me, otherwise I would have refused. I don’t take pictures with girls who have your kind of hair.”
This is not the first time Masekela has been outspoken about this distaste for weaves. During a press conference, as he was receiving an honorary doctorate from the university, he was quoted as saying,
“We spend about a billion rand (South Africa) on other people’s hair each year. I don’t even know where to begin with this issues.”
Oh Lord.
I can understand Masekela’s feelings. Everything ain’t for everybody. Still, not wanting to associate, with someone based on the way they wear their hair is quite extreme. I could understand his comments a bit better if he said he won’t date or marry someone with the look…not that he’s doing that at 76. That’s preference. But not wanting to take a picture with a person who wears weave, particularly after they’ve supported your career, is quite rude.
There are other ways to express a philosophy, without completely alienating people who just don’t happen to agree. Instead, this shame tactic he’s employing seems to be a far bigger issue than what women chose to put on their heads.
