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CNN Uses Clip From Undercover Brother On Report About TSA Agents Checking Woman’s Afro

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by Alex Alvarez | 11:44 am, September 22nd, 2011

» 24 comments

TSA agents in Atlanta recently stopped Dallas hairdresser Isis Brantley at the airport specifically to check her hair for explosives. I was going to make a joke about her hairstyle being “the bomb,” but, you know what? I won’t subject you all to that. …Oops.

In any case, Brantley, who has styled the likes of singer Erykah Badu (who also happens to have some pretty impressive hair of her own), was taken aback by the officers’ request to check her hair — especially since she says she had already gone through the security check when they called her to return. The TSA, meanwhile, maintains that Brantley left the checkpoint prior to completion of her security check, and that she refused to their offer to screen her privately.

Ok, fine. My question, now, is this: Was it really necessary for CNN to use a clip from, of all things, Undercover Brother — a film satirizing 70s Blaxploitation films — to highlight the fact that people don’t like strangers touching their hair? Afros and “natural hair” have had a long and complicated history in the U.S., adding a potential extra layer of significance to the officials’ decision to specifically search Brantley’s hair. (Am I saying these TSA officials are definitely racist for searching her hair? No. Not at all. I’m saying the situation becomes problematic in light of the politicization of black hairstyles in the United States.) To diminish that by using a cartoonish portrayal of a black person with a full afro to highlight a point is, at best, highly unprofessional. And, in case you’d missed the punchline the first time, the report then uses a clip from Naked Gun 33 1/3 to illustrate the fact that, sometimes? Afros can be really big!

So. Is the point here to fairly report a particular woman’s story, or to make fun of her hairstyle?

And in case you hadn’t had your fill of gawking at such a strange and exotic hairstyle by this point, the report ends with footage of the woman who currently holds the Guinness World Record for biggest hair disco dancing and tending to her hairstyle. This has what, exactly, to do with Brantley’s story?

Check out CNN’s report on the incident, below. And, as always, let me know what you think:

CNN, Explosives, hair, Isis Brantley, TSA

http://www.facebook.com/people/Dronetek-Bulk-Vanderhuge/100000918732763 Dronetek Bulk Vanderhuge

Oh god… You really think that if a white punk rocker walked in to the air port with a towering Mohawk, they wouldn’t check it? I’m so tired of you racist idiots always trying to make every issue about skin color. You’re always trying to make white people out to be these racist monsters, laying in wait to hurt a non-white person for nefarious reasons. It was old a decade ago. Now its just offensive.

Just admit it Alvarez , you’re scared of white people.
Anonymous

Alex Alvarez Said :

Ok, fine. My question, now, is this: Was it really necessary for CNN to use a clip from, of all things, Undercover Brother — a film satirizing 70s Blaxploitation films — to highlight the fact that people don’t like strangers touching their hair?

Absolutely not . CNN showed extemely poor judgement choosing to use this clip .
Jules

(Am I saying these TSA officials are definitely racist for searching her hair? No. Not at all. I’m saying the situation becomes problematic in light of the politicization of black hairstyles in the United States.)

English, motherf#cker! Do you read it?
Anonymous

You did it, bro! You cut me to the core, and you’re totally right: I’m a self-loathing white person.
Anonymous

Sister…the seventies called…they want their hairdo back.
Field

I think the fact that this is a Jeanne Moos piece is fairly relevant to the discussion. Moos’ pieces are never meant to be taken all that seriously. If one of their hard news reporters had done this, or if they’d played the clip during an anchor’s discussion of the incident, it would be an example of poor judgment. Give Jeanne a pass. She makes fun of everyone equally.
Phoebe

“Bad little white girl .”

~Phoebe Buffay
http://mediamatters.org/ Leedog

The movie had some funny moments!!
Anonymous

When did you begin to hate yourself and why?
Anonymous

So, you’re sitting in your window seat and this lady takes the middle seat next to you.

Her hair extends past her shoulders.

Sorry, her race has nothing to do with it, but I would not like to sit next to her with her hair in my face especially when it’s time for lunch!
marigrace

A public apology !!! LOL, another shallow egotistical person looking for their 15 minutes of fame. I have long hair, which I make into a bun at times. They have checked that to make sure I don’t have anything wrapped inside. I let them do it, smile and move on.

Get a life lady, the world doesn’t revolve around you.
Bob Uda

They will check inside her massive hair, but they won’t check inside a Muslim woman’s burka. Go figure!
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_FSPIVAFYI672OH5NOKVRTEZA4U MadCharles

They’d go through my porcupine If I brought it into the airport screening line. What’s her beef, publicity ?
http://www.facebook.com/TheStilettoBlog Victoria Knox

Instead of being allowed to go to my neighborhood middle school, I was bused to one several miles away where some of the students hid razor blades in their hair and threatened to use them on the kids from my neighborhood if we didn’t hand over our lunch money, jewelry, or whatever it was that wanted at the moment. So IMHO it was proper and necessary for TSA to check this woman’s hair for weapons .
Anonymous

I think Dronetek struck a nerve, you racist!
Anonymous

And it shows.
Anonymous

CNN is obviously racist and needs sensitivity training.
Anonymous

“Blacula” was the best.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26jvG4THLIE
Ho Li Crap

Why is this even necessary with all the x-ray machines in airports today? Personally, I believe the TSA guy is a freak with a hair fetish. The woman better check her ‘doo in case he left some “What about Mary” hair product behind.
Anonymous

Did ya see his baby picture?
Anonymous

Isn’t that Foxy Cleopatra?
http://www.wearysloth.com/Gallery/ActorsK/45484-25891.gif
Anonymous

Pretty much began hating humanity as a whole the moment I first used the internet.
Anonymous

So now we know that you hate the world but you haven’t answered the question that I asked you…which was…when did you begin hating yourself?
Spade Kosta

I agree with the writer. More offended by the clip than the search. Becuz of 9-11, weird things like afros have to be searched now. That’s still no excuse for TSA to “search” the internet for a Blaxploitation clip. Would have felt better had clip been from “I’m gonna get you sucka”! At least that was meant to be funny! http://spadekosta.blogspot.com