Girl, I don't have to show you a photo of a child whose hair looks like Zahara's, because that's what MY hair looks like most days. That's the way I like it -- kinky. Combing and brushing my hair nightly is the antithesis of what's healthy for it and the antithesis of what I think looks good.

Holy crap, what is your obsession with this girl? Continue defending your fragile ego and your meaningless opinions about SOMEONE ELSE'S 4 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER's hair. Don't ever examine your values or why you feel this way or why a 4-year old girl's hair bothered you enough that you felt that you had to write up a story on it.

By the way this isn't a "plea". Stop trying make it sound as if what you're writing is a valid issue of substance instead of a petty, judgemental diatribe.

The child has healthy, beautiful hair. Should Angelina have Zahara's hair flat ironed into the greasy, unmoving helmet that is so fashionable among black women today or perhaps a weave or a wig? She is a child and has a chance at having really great hair because Angelina has chosen not to destroy it chemically or otherwise. Deal with your insecurities and self hatred on your own time.

The child has healthy, beautiful hair. Should Angelina have Zahara's hair flat ironed into the greasy, unmoving helmet that is so fashionable among black women today or perhaps a weave or a wig? She is a child and has a chance at having really great hair because Angelina has chosen not to destroy it chemically or otherwise. Deal with your insecurities and self hatred on your own time.

Bravo, Bravo. I applaude your stance on this matter. Not for attacking a small child (I don't think even the smartest of kids read Newsweek regularly) but for your sharing of the experience of your socialization. I was brought up to be conscious of how I look be it a natural or press and curl ;o) But as a child I was under the care and direction of my mother who took the time to make me aware of how people percieve you. I think for those of us who choose to wear natural that is fine as long as it is your decision. The fact that Z asked the question about the state of her hair compared to that of her siblings is telling of her mindset as a child who will only grow up to internalize her feelings. I doubt her happiness, I just pray for her future happiness.

The only thing that I was resented was that my mother would send me through the rituals of torture, the hot comb and then a relaxer. Freedom came at 18 years old when I began to self-define who I am and I did not let others do so. This is what I was born with and why should I change it to conform to the standards of others? Through my 49 years of life the only people who had a problem with my hair texture were people like you, Caucasians did not. As a mother of four beautiful daughters, they wore their hair natural until they decided to change their hair. I did not raise them to think of themselves as only a hair texture and skin color like the majority of African Americans do, because they are human beings first. These two self-made obstacles is what keeps most of you stuck on stupid and it breeds of ignorance. Personally, I think your beef is with this child's mother because she does more for humanity than you've probably done in your life time. Do you have children? If not I hope you have all boys that way they won't have to be obsessed with their hair like you are.This is a child and if her parents don't have a problem with her hair texture than why do you?

And another thing! Why should we continually attempt to fit in when we already stand out???? Write something that will empower these young women and older ones too who are denying who they are!. Don't spend the rest of your life being a color and hair texture, that's superficial. You are deeper than that aren't you? Self-denial and self-hatred kills. I'm done because I don't entertain ignorance because I'm severely allergic to it.

She wrote not one, but TWO stories about it. It's very telling how she feels about natural black hair - she hates it.

As if the first time around wasn't bad enough -- now Samuels is back with the same bullsh*t and trying to justify it in the name of "cultural understanding"? GMAFB.

What is "cultural understanding", pray tell? Does it mean respecting people of different cultures? Different values? Different standards of what is beautiful? Not to you. What "cultural understanding" means to you is making a beautiful little black girl look as much as possible like a little white girl so you can stand to look at her.

You say that Z has asked why her hair is "different" from her siblings, as if that justifies your claims that her parents should "do something" about it. I'm sure she's also asked why her skin is different from her siblings as well. What do you propose her parents should do about that? Throw her into a tub of Nadinola and keep her there until her skin turns light enough for her to pass for white or light brown like her Asian adopted brothers?

Different doesn't mean inferior, Ms. Samuels. It means special and unique. That's what Zahara is to her parents -- special, unique, loved and appreciated for who she is: a beautiful little BLACK GIRL. It's too bad you hate yourself for being black but don't accuse the Jolie-Pitts of being bad parents because they aren't raising Zahara to share your hang-ups. The world will be a much better place with less people like you in it.

Again, why did Newsweek give this woman a forum to spew her Jim Crow ideology? There are millions of Black women around the world who wear their hair in its natural form: loose and kinky! I wish Ms. Samuels would free herself of her own shackles instead of attempting to verbally beat down a 4-year-old under the guise of a "plea" and place limitations on how Black children are wear their hair. God help any children you may have, Ms. Samuels, as I'm sure you would beat it into your daughter's head that her hair is unacceptable, ugly, and that it needs to be tamed.

The issue is not that Zahara is from another country. The issue is HER HAIR DOESN'T LOOK COMBED. I teach in Compton, CA and most (not all so don't go crazy) of the black girls who exhibit behavorial issues usually also have hair that looks like it has not been attended to in ages. They try and wear scarves or caps to class (which is not allowed). So as a result, they sulk, talk back, pout... anything to get people to focus on something else other than their hair. And the kids WILL and DO pick on them when their heads are "tore up." Sure, I can teach a lesson on it but how far does that go in middle school? As far as my door. Many fights start because someone says something about their hair. And for those of you who're saying "At that age, they should be able to comb it themselves", get a life. White, Asian, Native American, Latino... they can comb theirs because all it takes it just that - combing and brushing. Ours takes far more to look presentable and everyone isn't good at it. And how many people (black included) would hire someone whose hair looks uncombed? Not many. For one thing, unkempt hair (of any type) makes a person look CRAZY. I'm a grown woman and I can't really do my own hair that well. But I can afford to pay to have it done and can drive myself to the appointment. And I am an adult. If I choose to wear my hair "natural", people may look at me funny but they won't tease me. Kids tease kids! I have two pre-teen black foster daughters and I can't do their hair. But I pay somebody who can. (And unlike Madonna and the Jolie-Pitts, I really can't afford it!) And unless the child is involved in some hardcore sports activity, if the hair is combed correctly, it won't be all over their head in two hours. AND the last time I went to Toys R Us, the black dolls still had white folks' hair. When they start making black dolls with natural hair, then maybe little black girls will be comfortable wearing it like that. (And I don't see that happening any time soon because the last time they did a study, little black girls still preferred the white dolls.) Unless the Jolie-Pitts plan to stay indoors and not allow the child to read magazines, watch TV, or interact with any other kids they need to try to make sure that her hair looks like the hair of the average black well-cared for child.

The issue is that Z is 4 years old. Her hair is combed. If it wasn't, it would be all matted. It's not combed the way YOU want it to be combed but so what? She is not your child. You are not her mother. It is none of your business how she wears her hair. You still judge black children by some black dolls you see in Toys R Us. Go fry your hair if it makes you feel better about yourself. I feel sorry for anyone with self-esteem as low as yours is.

@ debiro1: Exactly!

Thank you Chryshaun. Debiro1, you should not be around our little black girls. And shame on you for not even trying to LEARN how to do your daughters hair. And FYI, every child's hair is NOT the same - so you can keep that "hair is not messed up in two hours" to yourself. Obviously you don't know or you have their hair sooo tight (and hair is probably not as long as it could be because of all the manipulation that is being done) that it is impossible for the hair to come free. My daughter is 10 years old and is beginning to tend to her gorgeous natural hair. It draws up to neck length but reaches mid-back when stretched or straightened - she's already 5 feet tall so that's not short hair. Those black girls in your school have one problem - the same problem that you are perpetuating with your own daughters - no one is showing them how to take care of their hair.

You are just as clueless as Ms. Samuels is. Zahara's hair is not matted nor tangled - THAT's a sign of uncombed hair. Looks to me that she gets her hair combed when it's SUPPOSED to get combed - when it is wet and full of conditioner. There is No.Other.Time that a natural head should EVER come close to a comb.

People like Ms. Samuels and you need to get a bit of self-esteem. As for your other comment about people not getting hired because they choose to wear their hair in a wash and go - you have got to be kidding me. You're living in your own little world and I'm glad I'm not in it.