Meteorologist Rhonda Lee Discusses Being Fired and Regrets. An exclusive interview with Rhonda A. Lee to discuss her natural hair drama and firing from Louisiana-based news station.
Update: Lee announced on her Twitter and Facebook pages that she has accepted a meteorology position with WeatherNation in Denver.
Rhonda Lee began our interview by expressing “I transitioned for selfish reasons.” With a birthday approaching in 2000, she was tired of the damage that her hair was experiencing. “My hair just seemed to get shorter and shorter” said Lee as she describes an accidental transition to natural hair by gradually trimming the damaged ends. “It kind of snuck up on me”.
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Without hesitation Rhonda continued to explain “I have done so much thinking over the last few days… and I still cannot find a regret for me. I regret obviously losing my job. [But] I think there is a divine reason why this happened.”
In conclusion Lee expressed a desire for others to be more understanding and excepting of her hair. “There is a message of acceptance in understanding the differences in our hair choices without judgement. There should be some type of solidarity. I want people to accept me for the hair choices I make and for me to accept the choices that others make.”
This might sound odd, but I totally agree with the television station (or other respective media corporations). Let’s face it they are all about image, and what she portrayed was not in association with their image or brand. I believe as an experienced communications personality Ms. Lee should have known this. The natural hair journey, for most of us, is really a spiritual journey. Spiritual journeys are so personal and often times very difficult for others to comprehend or to be explained.
The solution, in my mind, is a compromise. Do what you will with the hair, but wear some type of protective style that appeals to the company’s image. From time to time test the waters or perhaps get the people involved by running some type of campaign or contest.
I would be remiss if I did not say we have to be careful not to make the natural hair journey a black or white issue. It is about healthy hair, and how it makes you or others feel through the process is something different. It is OUR responsibility, as participants of the journey, to provide the necessary education.
AND THANKS TO MAINSTREAM AMERICA OUR BLACK SISTERS HAVE VERY LOW SELF ESTEEM WHEN IT COMES TO OUR HAIR TEXTURES THAT’S WHY OUR BLACK WOMEN CONDONE THE EUROCENTRIC LOOKS VERSUS OUR NATURAL KINKS BUT HEY THAT IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU LET AMERICA BRAIN WASH YOU