Hair: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)

John Oliver discusses the importance of Black hair, the ways it can be a target of discrimination, and some ideas to address that.
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[@aarontimlake8051]

"I'm not racist, some of my best pictures are of black kids!"

[@saraza4977]

That's a new one for me

[@ruthym7697]

pure genius.

[@Rozco81]

Lmfao

[@brian1011234]

😂😂

[@diegorincon4673]

NSA! Don’t mind me...

[@KarianForde]

Tell me you have black, female writers on staff without TELLING me you have black, female writers on staff. We see you Mr. Oliver

[@user-qx1om2wj1h]

I like your hair style, and the addition of the highlights add a nice touch and compliments your skin beautifully.

[@tiffanysmith8447]

He had me at "wash day"😊

[@shannonkennedy6015]

Exactly!

[@Sahdirah]

+

[@RJ-mh3ox]

When he said 7 hours with snacks and movies and the effort it takes to put them in so who tf is going to take them out i was like who back there writing this shit 😂 only thing he missed is the price (I’m not a woman but my mom was a hair dresser just twisting my dreads took forever)

[@LikeTheBuffalo]

"The Banana Republic at the Westchester Mall in White Plains" is front runner for whitest sentence I've heard this week.

[@SuperTonyony]

How about, “Ah voted fer Trump twahst!”?

[@yaboyjah3288]

Hilarious ! So correct. 😆

[@frankiefavero1666]

Lol I've been. That place looks like Sweden!

[@warriorgoddessyaaasantewaa4773]

😂😂😂

[@Quader417]

Lol oh yeah? I live in Georgia and we were house shopping and passed by a neighborhood called “The Plantation”…Now that’s bad enough on its own but about half a mile down the road we pass by another neighborhood………… “The Planation II”………… Never in my life have I seen a neighborhood that had a sequel🤣🤣🤣 these dudes were so racist they couldn’t even come up with a second name for their neighborhood

[@SatiricalFey]

I come back to this because of my niece, I'm not black, but she is. She's started kindergarten this year, she's creative, and sweet, and so incredibly smart. Two nights before her first day of school, she was playing with my hair and called it pretty. When I told her hers was pretty too, she ducked her little face down and shook her head and said no it's not. She told me she didn't like her hair because it was scary. And I don't think my heart could ever ache as much as it did when it was clear this beautiful little girl had been given the impression her natural hair was scary.

[@ThoughtfulPotato]

This broke my heart... Lots of love to the little one and I sincerely hope she learns to love her hair and herself for all that she is!!

[@stinkytoy]

That is so, so sad :( ♡

[@TheBLACKboard65]

This tells me your niece is likely bi-racial and not Black. If her mama was Black it's highly unlikely she'd think her hair was scary.

[@mammawlee]

I am White, but in my extended family, we have various skin shades and hair textures. One cousin would straighten her hair AND THEN curl it a way that suited her better.

[@NoName-1239]

I’m not white or black and I wonder all these things too… I remember asking a black girl why she’s slapping her head so much and she’s wearing a weave and I ask her what is that and why can’t she wear her real hair and she got offended and started crying so I never asked them again and I did Google these questions but Google doesn’t have all the accurate answers and some of the answers were silly saying that black women are bald that’s why they wear wigs or that they want to look more white and that doesn’t seem accurate tbh….it’s not just white people curious about black hair. There are more races than just black and white

[@vsmith1688]

As stupid as firing someone for having locs is to begin with, imagine firing them from a job where the customer can't even see them.

[@Julie1019]

Right?!

[@Hailiums]

@@souler__ You've "heard" doesn't equal truth. I suggest you take the advice of the last minute and a half of the video and fucking google it.

[@yesmamnosir7997]

@@souler__ actually you can wash dreadlocks. There’s plenty of special shampoos and conditioners for it. Also some wear dreadlocks because of their religion. Should they be forced to go against their religion by cutting them off or not be hired because said oaths to their religion?

[@danieljensen2626]

@@souler__ Did you even watch the video? Jesus Christ... You're literally saying that your ignorance about this traditional Black hairstyle is a reasonable basis to discriminate against Black people and prevent them from becoming employed.

[@souler__]

@@Hailiums It does when I've heard it consistently throughout my life from varied and disconnected sources, and nothing else about the topic. And since I'm not interested to research a topic this boring, I've opened the door for people to tell me if I'm wrong here. How about you don't be a dick for no reason?

[@KoiPuff]

A little girl I used to babysit was biracial and had a big afro. It was clean and well maintained. Her white teacher sent home a note saying she either needed to shave it off or get it braided. When her parents refused the teacher called CPS on them. She said that it was obvious they weren't caring for her properly. Her parents were two of the kindest people I ever met and this killed them inside. They won against the teacher and to this day that girl (now 14) has a glorious afro.

[@iambreebree4919]

nice story

[@chickofmusic001]

@@iambreebree4919 Great that they won! 👏🏾👏🏾

[@janh7964]

But the entire family was traumatized in the process. I'm glad that they won against the teacher but it never should have happened.

[@knguyen2237]

Thanks for sharing the story. Happy the family won against the teacher. It's the small token to what that teacher put the family through. I hope that teacher is fired

[@Starius2]

Dude.... so the little girl was culturally appropriating and you want me to hate on the teacher for knowing that??? You're pathetic learn common human decency!

[@TMassChronicles]

This video was a perfect example of why representation matters. It’s obvious, based on the content, that John has black female writers in his writer’s room. I love the fact that, even through the voice of a white man, black women were able to tell their stories through this medium. Well done, Mr. Oliver.

[@PunguinYoga]

I love John Oliver and his writers.

[@BarbieTarzan]

Time for a score card: 20 points for knowing anything about ECO gel. 20 points for knowing about silk press. 20 points for knowing the proper way to wear a lace front. And, 40 points for bringing up the issue. We can not create real change with out real allies, I appreciate your acknowledgement of the struggle and your eloquent way of addressing it.

[@vickimcburney8977]

What is the difference between ally and "white savior?" Comments can be so angry.

[@sydneygorelick7484]

All of the details really scream "I have a black woman writer on staff," which is great!!

[@flamingo_with_tophat296]

I get 20 points for knowing eco hair products, guess I got stuff to google

[@SavorAndSleep]

"Not wearing a mask is my rig-- Hold on let me cut this kid's dreadlocks off real quick."

[@Simon-nx1sc]

underrated comment, +1

[@ColoringKaria]

Exactly!

[@genieglasslamp5028]

DoNt TrEaD oN Me!!!!!!!!!

[@BM-zp5ec]

THIS. Best comment

[@mellod5615]

Exactly.

[@Talonistrying]

Can we just appreciate that he puts a British accent on his British accent?

[@FelisImpurrator]

Yo dawg...

[@rer5425]

He changes his accent within his dialect 😉

[@josepena3546]

i think he was putting a transatlantic over a british accent

[@pernorm7679]

Highly talented he is.

[@rootbox]

and he wasn't particularly good at it!

[@justsomegothgirl]

I'm currently in Cosmetology school and I'm happy to say that my school teaches how to do textured and ethnic hair. I, as a white woman with zero previous exposure to black hair, have learned a lot and have a new understanding of cultural hair styles. I still have a lot to learn but I want to be able to make everyone who sits in my chair feel good about themselves and leave feeling beautiful, no matter their race.

[@enamjullietdogbatse4983]

This happens in African countries too. I am Ghanaian and I am criticised by hair stylists for keeping my hair and my daughters' hair natural! I am always "this is the hair y'all were born with"! It is crazy.

[@FBvio]

Colonialism

[@vickimcburney8977]

I know it's different,but I'm white and getting older. I don't color my gray hair. People criticize that. Why does anyone care what other people do with their hair? It's intrusive and discriminatory. Hairstyle is personal, and no one should be judged or have to defend a hairstyle.

[@papastummyfuzz9281]

WHAT

[@fantastic6295]

​@@papastummyfuzz9281in the middle east is the same. Hairstylists hate styling natural hair

[@onalennavuyokazinhlumayo312]

Shout out to John's black writers because I know they worked overtime this week teaching him concepts like laying edges. You could tell how proud of himself he was for nailing those jokes lol

[@mykaruest3620]

You can tell this was a topic he wanted to genuinely talk about for a while but put it on the back burner to educate himself and he actually did. You can tell John spent fucking time on this shit!

[@sharstarg2414]

Ong🙌🏾

[@elisasumber6476]

I don't see it as pride but as happiness...happiness to be a bit more in reality.

[@jaleesastengel1747]

@@mykaruest3620 that's why we love him!

[@Whyohwhymybrain]

I was just going to comment this, they really brought me back to the shop and good laughs with the message as well love it!!!

[@jjsvizard75]

The irony of saying a kids hair is unkept in a school called "raggedy anne" when that doll's hair was literally a dreadlock styled hair do!

[@jendubay3782]

Not to mention that it was a racist trope doll to begin with...

[@jjsvizard75]

@@jendubay3782 IKR?!

[@dena81]

Their sign didn't even look that 'kempt'

[@alexisrivera200xable]

@@dougcrane8031 Its never a great look for a white person to tell a black person what is or isn't racist in such an authoritative way. I'm just saying...

[@defpixel]

A lot of them do wear wigs though.

[@SunnyB_adventures]

I really appreciate how the writers made sure they included language that didn't assume that all the people watching don't have personal experience with this

[@dcamron46]

because they themselves are black and experience this. This episode is written by black people and for black people (I can only assume). Don't know what the remaining 90% of America is supposed to get out of it. And if someone is racist, telling them about the struggles of hair, of all things, is certainly not the most critical topic to address. Or, and this shouldn't be surprising -- they're not racist, but they just care about a million other things beyond the challenges black people are facing regarding their hair.

[@gaulishrealist]

@@dcamron46 They reached the bottom of the barrel. They ran out of first world problems to complain about.

[@flyaround312]

​@@dcamron46 "Or, and this shouldn't be surprising -- they're not racist, but they just care about a million other things beyond the challenges black people are facing regarding their hair." You've led an *unbelievably* privileged life if you can so easily dismiss the challenge of someone losing their job or being rejected for a job they were qualified for just because of their hairstyle. The episode isn't written for black people, that makes no sense they obviously already know about this issue. It was written to inform anti-racist white people about yet another form of discrimination that most of us aren't aware of so that we can help change that.

[@heathersmith4042]

​@@dcamron46 This episode isn't written "just for black people." The entire end segment is directly addressing white people. Your attitude that hair just "doesn't matter" when the episode showcased multiple black people who had been fired for their hair, and punished at school for their hair, when courts ruled it was allowed to fire black people for their hair is exactly why we still have this problem. Not that many directly racist "I'm gonna fire you because I hate your skin" white people... but way, way too many "it's not a real problem oh my goddd who caressssss it's just hair it doesn't affect me" white people.

[@TheSocratease]

@dcamron46 no, this wasn't written for black people. We know all this already. This was written for people like you who still doesn't understand the assignment. Out of the million things, this can be one of them.😗

[@packsam9139]

Of all the smells that toddlers smell, I am surprised that they had an issue with coconut oil, which is like the best smelling oil there is.

[@jayandree4361]

Her man prolly cheated on her with a black women n came home smelling like coconut oil…. Now she can’t stand the smell lol took it out on the poor child

[@GadgetMsGadget]

@@jayandree4361 🏆🏆🏆

[@jojiobi]

@@jayandree4361 this is Canon now

[@FBombFitzgerald]

Especially compared to half the smells in your average day care. I doubt the kids cared at all.

[@patricial.6758]

My sister hates coconut smell. I used to use coconut shampoo and it would trigger her every time.

[@cmw12]

“A level of tone-deafness on par with naming your store ‘Banana Republic’”. Lmao

[@Ryamix]

Lmao that one had me wheezing xD

[@MattyHam123]

I work at banana republic lmao it’s true that name makes no sense

[@MattyHam123]

Gap, old navy, athleta, banana republic all the same company, all weird names

[@Filipe2Santos]

I saw it coming when heard the store name LOL

[@mooselove]

@@MattyHam123 they are the same umbrella company or just sell the same type shit?

[@paulajean4540]

Anything that starts with “you people” and ends with “I take pictures of children” should be grounds for removal from public office

[@viscountav]

I agree. That exceptionally weird man.

[@anonymousperson7889]

Anything that starts with "white people's biases and ignorance is laying in wake for the right moment to strike would be banned from youtube if you insert any other race" How do you not understand this video is racist? 7:50

[@aoutsky]

Self awareness was seriously lacking.

[@timelkin838]

I felt the cringe on that one. I had to take my headphones off and cover my face. I was embarrassed and not there yet I felt it.

[@paulshipper143]

Be fair.. he is a republican and was in the process of denying expanding civil rights.

[@sidehustlevikki1066]

I remember being told that my hair was unprofessional when I wore it natural on time at work but yet these same business have welcomed pink purple and blue hair into their professional work environment. lol

[@vickimcburney8977]

Yeah. How can long gross beards, Crayola colored hair, Mohawks and viking cuts be OK, but braids and afros aren't? Black hairstyles are art, amazing, beautiful.

[@piedpiper1172]

Short of shaving or dying a literal hate symbol into their hair, I just cannot imagine why I would ever care about a coworker’s hair beyond the basic human kindness of complimenting them when they change it (style, cut, color, etc). And even then, that’s just the minimum of “I see you fellow human.” If a coworker did suddenly start showing up actually unclean, I’d be worried about them, not jumping to “unprofessional.” No one wants to be unclean in clean spaces.

[@sugarwaterpurple5280]

I never knew I needed to hear John Oliver describing how to apply a lace front 😂

[@peccantis]

>dozens of teeny tiny tight braids >"unkempt" that hair takes more work and care in a month than yours does all year, *Brenda*

[@jameshill2450]

Yeah that felt even more insulting than "urban" honestly. And I just have plain boring long hair, no braids or anything.

[@bryansproles2879]

@@jameshill2450 Although "urban" was pretty bad too.

[@ofthedarknessthemoonlight5412]

The idea that someone would judge anyone based on their hair is appalling. Like so many other things, it makes me wonder what these people are thinking. It's NONE OF THEIR F*KING BUSINESS! Just...get out. STFU.

[@dreamy1231]

👏🏾 c'mon now!! They have NO idea how & what it takes to keep up box braids! The struggle to sleep & cover them properly so they look presentable, tuh! "Un kept" my a$$

[@Estarile]

@@ofthedarknessthemoonlight5412 I mean if you hair is dirty and clearly not taking care of I might make some judgments (such as, if they're ok, safe, and have access to what they need to maintain their hair). Of course, I can't think of any culture that has intentionally gross hair.

[@PineappleStickers]

Who works at a pre-school and of all the possible smells involved in the job, chooses to complain about Coconut oil?

[@nkathryn93]

I would be thankful for coconut oil after some of the shit (probably literal) that teacher had to smell lol

[@lisachampagne7668]

yep. I work with pre-school kids and coconut oil is definitly welcome (I don't even like coconut).

[@anujadeore8388]

My mom used to put coconut oil on my hair (I'm Indian). It's a calming smell to me.

[@hidar9973]

When you dislike a person (or a people) everything they do will annoy you. That’s probably why the teacher did what she did smh

[@danyelleorr-mcneil4711]

@@hidar9973 pretty much.

[@ayadhyist]

“Wash day” sent me.

[@brookecookie7932]

When that ref cut off that students dreads, my heart broke. I remember it so vividly, that wasn’t about safety, or discomfort, that was about humiliation and dehumanizing A CHILD who in the actual fuck?!?!

[@DripTaicho39]

Shout out to the black woman who helped him with that “6am holding your ears” part lol this is why I love this man. I clapped three times on this

[@cindyneff6499]

Why do I feel like John was with me in that kitchen when we were kids, me getting my hair hot combed and him smelling that burnt hair right along with me? Excellent.

[@Bworms1980]

Brought back nightmares. Especially one where my aunt greased my hair first. We all learned that day, that grease is a great conductor to bring heat straight to the scalp. Edit: Forgot to mention that she was using an ironing comb. The old time ones that you lay across an open flame. So that was fun times.

[@jjbvin]

I had to stop it right there. ☠️ He heard my soul. Lol

[@brittanymarshall5721]

Yeah, when he talked about the wig cap I said ‘he got at least two Black women writers’!

[@penname8441]

+

[@ashleyirvin7350]

Shout out to the black woman that wrote that for John Oliver, describing with complete accuracy me at 8 years old on picture day holding my ears down while my mom used that dang hot comb 😂 he took me all the way back.

[@twoplustwo07]

INR😀🤷🏽‍♀️💃🏽

[@youaintgettingmyhandle]

Oooh girl, you just gave me flashbacks. Now I smell Dax and smoke out of nowhere. I think I hear my mom telling me to sit still lol.

[@twoplustwo07]

I was like if so many companies and news outlets would hire and consult black people BEFORE they say something off the hinges or BEFORE they release a marketing plan/commercial that is a straight up No No it would save so much time, money, and more diverse training (that most other people don’t pay attention to.).🤷🏽‍♀️

[@beamarla8218]

me too chile. and when i got burned by the hot comb and jumped i got slapped upside the head for even daring to move.

[@ballinangel3231]

I was SHOCKED lmaoooo you know one of us is on the inside lmaoooooo

[@nikiabrown3404]

I have now used 3 of your videos to explain and answer questions about my experience as a black woman. Twice I sent them to a coworker after repeatedly saying "ghetto" for things broken in the lab! Now I have this ammo.. Thank you!!

[@ForrestFox626]

What were the other 2?

[@nikiabrown3404]

@@ForrestFox626 This hair vid and Gerrymandering

[@thegenevasays]

Please redo this one with an audience we need the reactions to this amazing episode

[@ahburns88]

Idk what black woman wrote this for him, but they are on spot on 👌🏾👌🏾

[@aaronmaree38]

Lol facts !!!

[@sersa4179]

Amen! From the wash day, to how to properly install a lace front, his writer nailed it!

[@KBWeeds]

@@sersa4179 it was the hot comb part for me. I was in that exact same space when he said that!

[@sersa4179]

@@KBWeeds I never got the hot comb THANK JEEZIS but my sister did and now she has alopecia (also bc she kept pulling her hair back too tight that it broke). But I got flashbacks of wash days when he said that!

[@devonmartini5931]

Amen

[@SophistAKAtion1908]

Let me just tell you...I KNOW there are black writers in the room!!!!!!! These example are too on point. And when he correctly described how to apply a lace front, I fell out 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@leahd537]

There had to be someone with experience in the room

[@KoKoTheSagittarius]

Especially, when he mentioned the heat from the hot comb! I can hear my granny now "it's not burning you it's just the heat". Chileee! 🤭

[@SophistAKAtion1908]

@@KoKoTheSagittarius Girlllllllll every Easter Sunday

[@sierramilan7410]

When he said " Monday is my wash day!" 🤣🤣

[@colegreenofficial]

FACT LOL

[@guywhopaysrent]

I have a foster child who’s African American and my fiancé and I have done extensive research and tried to find a salon or barber shop that could give us more advice on how to keep her hair nice. We eventually had to go to another city an hour from where we live to get any help. It’s some bull shit.

[@ShelbieMua]

Consider getting some black friends since you adopted one of our people. We could’ve saved you the trouble lmao. It’s very difficult to find someone who can do black hair professionally. I truly wish people would learn more about us before taking on our children. It makes the kids feel outcasted when you’re not knowledgeable about their culture and possible experiences.

[@daniellawyatt]

Thank you for being a great parent and doing the work to make sure YOUR child is taking care of GuyWhoPaysTheRent fuc@ what Shelbie stated about " taking on our children". The only thing I agree with in her comment is consider getting black female friends to help you with issues that will come up due to the child's race. I hope you and your daughter's never have to deal with it but I know this country will show its ugly head to you. Never let someone take away her self esteem by saying it is anger or aggression. Being a black woman in America is a total different level of racism.

[@tbella5186]

@@ShelbieMua That human child is as blessed to have a Foster Family, who cared to gain knowledge they didn't have to help her care for her hair, as the family is to have the ability to care for her. There are loving homes who can love a child of any color, that shouldn't be shamed.

[@amarbyrd2520]

Imagine if you were the child. Depending on where she decides to live, she'll have to deal with some version of that for the rest of her life.

[@tbella5186]

@@amarbyrd2520 We all have to deal with stupidity and prejudice of some sort, but not all of us have a loving family. So I would have to say that's a truly lucky child.

[@faithgathigia6341]

This. I really needed this. I'm a black woman struggling to re-identify with my hair as an adult after being forced to shave it my my whole childhood then straighten it in highschool. Thank you.

[@nanszoo3092]

This comment breaks my heart ... of all the things in the world to care about, why natural hair texture is so controversial for some people is beyond me. Why can't people just let people BE? I hope it ends now. I'm so tired of people who want to define other people and control their personal choices. No child should feel this way. No adult should have to re-identify because of it. We have so much more to change

[@AshwinKrishnaraj]

I can't stop laughing at the fact that the school is called Raggedy Anne Learning Center. With a name like that, should you be telling any child how to present? 😂

[@niarose4352]

😂😂👌🏾

[@ekdaufin1485]

IKR?!

[@irene6109]

😭😭 I’m sayingggggggggg

[@Pelezo]

😂😂😂

[@goodguy...badrep.]

They're obviously don't have any Black friendz 🤣👍🏾

[@phatcat4384]

My old boss straight up told me I needed to straighten my hair to make it "pretty and sleek like the other girls". I told her to talk to my lawyer about it. She never brought it up again.

[@lrose1046]

She meant pretty and boring...

[@pamevans8001]

good for you, that's appalling!!

[@terriz.2981]

wow I'm so sorry. Glad you were not bothered by her anymore!

[@nicksanders9148]

JESUS LOVES YOU, AND GOOD FOR STANDING UP FOR YOURSELF!!!! ;)

[@aarishowton8037]

@@lrose1046 Ahaha I’m white and my hair could never be described as ‘sleek’, if an employer asked that from me I simply could not work there anymore lol

[@EternalYorkieMom]

Thank you for the call center appreciation John!!! My job allows us to bring blankets to the office. Black people should be able to wear their hair however they want to wear it.

[@jackphantom]

When I was barbering, I deliberately went and trained at an African-American owned barber school and it was at my first JOB that I really got experience with straight hair. That was by CHOICE. Out of practice now, but I knew very well how to take care of EVERYONE. How ANYONE would train for a job without learning it all is beyond me.

[@janeef1183]

@LastWeekTonight, thank you all SO much for this episode. I am a black woman with that 4c natural texture you mentioned and this episode almost made me cry. I was NOT expecting it, so for you all to take this risk and talk on this with VERY SPECIFIC cultural references that I suspect many ppl watching wouldn't understand was beautiful. And you owned it, defended folks like me, and gave a space for black people and curly haired people across races to feel seen. You said things we have never been able to share or articulate to our friends and family of different races. It meant a lot. That right there is what allyship looks like. Thank you.

[@ziggyslanetz7699]

@Evolution deniers are full of bullshit that's why they said more than one race can relate. Calm down and appreciate that someone felt understood. You trying to take away from the point they are trying to make is why the point has to be made in the first place

[@evilsharkey8954]

Evolution deniers are full of bullshit, why are you looking for equality in oppression instead of equality in freedom? You shouldn’t have had to cut your hair as a kid. There’s no good reason for stupid hair dress codes as long as it’s clean, doesn’t have obscenities shaved into it, and is not a health hazard (long hair of any texture can be tied back for shop class).

[@cariwaldick4898]

I was going to say much the same thing, and I'm a white woman. I can't imagine how it feels to have someone attack something as personal and individual as your HAIR. The only reason I have any clue about black hair, is because I watched a lot of Oprah. Oliver and staff did their research, and I'm glad you feel respected. The Scandinavian person who responded with the "get over it" comment is an idiot.

[@lizvaughn2551]

I had to go all my K - 12 life with my hair straight not because I wanted to but just so folks can leave me alone. It took many years after to build the courage to wear my hair natural again. Thank you for defending us.

[@earlsmall4232]

@Evolution deniers are full of bullshit are the Scandinavian people discriminated against because of the normal growth of their hair or their cultural hair style? That is the point behind the discussion.

[@peetey897]

"You people are beautiful" made me PHYSICALLY SQUIRM.

[@haleyzwaal4183]

And I figured I knew exactly where it was going- but it just kept getting worse in unexpected ways.

[@mallisaunders4565]

Any time a sentence starts with "you people", I brace myself for badness.

[@CollinMPLS]

I didn't even make it through his comment 😱⏩!!!! 🤮

[@ohshanana2397]

anytime they say that I get white master vibes

[@internetexplorer6304]

*makes cross with fingers

[@Galworld761]

I have European curly hair and I get the “look” when I dare walk in to work with my air dried curls. It is perceived as “unpolished”. Therefore, I can ONLY IMAGINE what black women endure when they honor their natural beauty. Why should I get a half hour less sleep than others just to “fit in”? This is the empowering lesson I have taken from bold, black women rejecting conventional expectations. I want to thank them - I get to clock in more sleep now. Unfortunately, my sister has not yet learned to appreciate this valuable lesson.

[@juliand.breakdown463]

oh pooor women try have long curly hair as man workling as a framer we all have problems, more often than you think even the same problems so shut up and go back to work you are welcome

[@xelgodis80085]

Ain't nobody hatin on Danny Sexbang, just rock it.

[@isabellevasquez7433]

Thank you for being able to recognize the fact that any comments white folks with curls get stems from anti blackness and that the natural hair community is birthed from black women. So many white women with wavy/curly hair on the internet center their experiences and feelings in a community that was not created for them

[@gaulishrealist]

Nobody asked you about your hair structure and nobody cares. The only people who even pay attention to hair are women.

[@aussiescotsman4145]

I honestly never really thought about it in such a fashion. LWT has profoundly changed my view on life in numerous issues as a white dude. Really good stuff as always mr oliver

[@gaulishrealist]

Show me a man whose view on life was profoundly changed by LWT and I'll show you man who has no soul, a personality vacuum.

[@claressalucas8922]

I am a professional with a STEM degree and I have been rocking my natural hair for the last 18 years. Have I been mistaken for the venue staff at conventions? Absolutely! Nothing is sweeter than telling some Tucker Carlson wannabe to get his own damned coffee as I take the stage. I LOVE MY NAPPY HAIR!!!

[@joypomeroy1452]

Awesome

[@illpegyourdad973]

Fuck it up Claressa, hell yeah!! Sucks you gotta deal with those fuckers, but i can only imagine the serotonin you get from rolling them like that. Stan that 👌

[@HansenSWE]

..................................................................................... Can I touch it? :D Much love from Sweden.

[@MrOmniFicent]

I'm an engineer and generic looking white guy. Almost every time I go to the grocery store people ask me where items are. At first I was offended, now I just shrug and walk them to the correct isle. I should get paid for this 😔

[@brajeswardas4368]

you just wrote the comment to show off your STEM degree...nothing more to it,,,,

[@angelfahlife6000]

I don’t know who wrote this episode but they DID THAT. Props to John for talking about this and for giving a writer the chance to really put their experience into this.

[@amandapaule9202]

Came to this video from Ali B's twitter, one of the writers. She is worth a follow! twitter.com/wtflanksteak/status/1391795668424003587?s=19

[@globaladdict]

@@amandapaule9202 man I didn't really think about John Oliver having writers. How many does he have?

[@MasterWilliam770]

@@globaladdict google it

[@blackcat6508]

I think there are waaay more important stuff to talk about right now, like how Israeli soldiers are committing crimes against

[@hortonaudio]

@@blackcat6508 against......against who? You can’t just stop your sentence at the last word.

[@elovejapan7818]

When I (a white person) was growing up, I met many black kids and adults with different hairstyles, and thought of black hair as black hair; that is, hair that was different from from mine and had its own rules. Because of that, I’ve never thought of black hair as “messy” or “unkempt”, or “wrong” in any way, it’s just hair being itself.

[@minkeecherel]

I just love this segment so much. The message is clear and on point.

[@nerapavane7132]

Yes, the racism is lovely.

[@amariboxill9033]

I burst out laughing every single time John goes on an incredibly specific tangent on black women’s hair (that was definitely written by a black female staffer).

[@AlmostaFlipinSkater]

Exactly why diversity is good in the workplace. It expands the groups potential.

[@IndomitableAde]

Yep, that Eco Styler Gel name drop most definitely came from a sister.

[@Slingsomelead]

Actually little know fact, HBO doesn’t employ any black woman on Last Week Tonight.

[@TheMassiveNoise]

@UC6kc4umVtxn-Gr5JOfr7RqQ yeah, well u can ALWAYS reach for ridiculous spins...

[@TheRealJahan]

The look on his face while he was doing it too 😂😂

[@Munch_Hausen]

"...it unstraightened itself and back come the kinks" Every time my family leaves

[@kingofcurrywurst5287]

😂😂😂

[@tswan137]

Best comment

[@CanalFirstQuest]

take my like, kind KZbin Stranger.

[@Camibug]

Holy shit 😂

[@krh6239]

I snorted so hard 🤣🤣🤣

[@Priyacinema]

I never understood why my black friends straightened/relaxed their hair, when I was DESPERATELY trying every device to PUT kinks and curls into my stick-straight Indian hair. I spent hours with a "crimping" iron and my black roommate was like "I don't know why you would want to do that to your straight silky hair". And I'd say "you don't know how good you have it with your fluffy, bouncy hair". The grass is always greener on the other side. Black women: know that your hair is beautiful and many of us want what you have.

[@alannamorris977]

Oh, we do.

[@sebastiandingleswitch3757]

I spent years fighting my ginger, dying every type of colour, but once I got old enough and started to grow facial hair, I had to accept it - being comfortable in your own skin, all faults aside is very important for mental health. Any systemic or culturally based discrimination or pressure that can induce body dysmorphia is repulsive..

[@jasondonovan1408]

I'm thinking not.

[@AljIsHere128]

John Oliver is MY DUDE!!! I play catch up watching his show on demand. Dude did a whole azz segment on his show on Black Hair. Shout out to this on 🔥 awkward ally and his fantastic staff of Beautiful Black People who helped him with such a segment!!!💯😃

[@champslim]

Give your writers a raise! Omg the part about having snacks while getting your hair done.... Yessssss

[@joejacko1587]

these are the writers of this week tonight JOANNA ROTHKOPF a white girl SEENA VALI a white man CHRISSY SHACKELFORD a white woman LIZ HYNES unknown she doesn't have a picture posted DANIEL O’BRIEN white male MARK KRAMER looks Indian not sure but he isn't black OWEN PARSONS white male JOHNATHAN APPEL white male CHARLIE REDD unknown Ali Barthwell unknown TIM CARVELL white male and of course JOHN OLIVER white male the only writer that is black is GREG IWINSKI the unknown ones without pictures

[@estefimedinaj]

@@joejacko1587 I just looked up and they have a research assistant who is black but I do think they can diversify that room better. I have found Seth Myers has the most diverse writing team and gives them the platform to express themselves.

[@theaddictofgaming9174]

@@joejacko1587 If Mark Kramer looks Indian to you, I don't know what you think Indian looks like. He just looks "ethnic" white. (I hate that term but it makes sense here)

[@becz9485]

@Tasty Jaguar lol it isn’t propaganda when it is a real fucking issue Black people have to deal with all the time. You clearly didn’t watch the whole video.

[@joejacko1587]

@@estefimedinajI don't think Seth Myers is funny but its not the writing i think its the fact when he tells jokes he looks like a serial killer who is trying to be funny but I don't think race should be a factor in hiring unless its something like a movie where it is a requirement so hopefully he just hired who he thought was best and not based on there skin color sex or sexual orientation like everyone should

[@BlackGirlsDoBike]

Cheers to the black woman who wrote this 😆 and thanks John for your candid delivery. 👌🏾

[@IndigenousGoddess]

That’s the first thing I thought ... hot comb memories were not good ones !! Smh 🤦🏾‍♀️ I knew a Black Woman either wrote this or consulted for this script - inside information ℹ️ Still the topic is horrific after all these decades!!

[@12TribeTone]

We know one did!

[@FloraAnnie]

Exactly what I came to this comment section to say ❤️🖤💚

[@lisear2926]

@@IndigenousGoddess Tell me about it. When I was 10 my mother would hot comb my hair on Sundays and by Monday evening, after running up and down in school and sweating in my head so much that my hair was already curling back - she would get so frustrated.

[@takatamiyagawa5688]

Eh, not the best written piece to come out of his show. 20:20 onwards is just needlessly insulting and divisive. Labelling this "black hair" just sounds strange too, as if the writers associate the word "black" more strongly with the African American race (or other races), than with the color black.

[@sandratima5469]

Love, love, love Leslie Jones. I was a hairdresser for 19 years. I used to watch my black coworker do hair and she would ask me questions about white hair. I learned a lot.

[@meganproffitt424]

I remember being in elementary school, a teacher told me black hair didn't exist. I remember going home and asking my parents what color my hair was.

[@jamaaldunbar324]

There is a era of sadness, anger, and a little bit of laughter all together in that story. 😔😡😆

[@weksauce]

Not sure what it means, because it's a pretty vague statement, but I agree with at least 1 interpretation of it. This segment conflates race with culture. There's no such thing as black (race) hair. If that's what the teacher meant, then they're right. Black people tend to have flatter hairs, which is what makes hair curly/kinky or curl/kink-able. White people tend to have rounder hairs, which is what makes hair straighter, less curly/kinky, less curl/kink-able. But, outside that broad statistical difference, there's no difference between the races' hairs. And there are plenty of white people with dark, flat hair, and fewer (though still numerous) black people with lighter, rounder hair. The choices you make with hair are choices. Some choices are limited by the shape of your hair, but beyond that, it's all culture, which is entirely a choice. We can and should discriminate based on choices. Tradition, culture, religion are no excuses for behavior. You're responsible for what you do with your hair (and body and life). Dreads aren't the province of one group. All hair except the most round will naturally form dreads if left unkempt. You can't steal ideas because the person you copy the idea from still has the idea after you copy it.

[@mammawlee]

A lot of White people have 'Black' hair. I guess because we are part Black. Relative recently or from long ago. Because l'm quite sure that Earth's first people were Black. That's a scientific fact.

[@heathersmith4042]

​@@weksauce "we can and should discriminate based on choices" and those choices just so happen to be traditionally african hairstyles that ton of african americans wear today that are "surely just dirty" because you say so, huh? how someone chooses to wear their hair ISN'T YOUR FUCKING BUSINESS. it has literally no effect on you unless you choose to be a piss baby about it. it costs you zero dollars and zero sense to just not give a shit about how someone else wears their hair, but it surely must cost something to continue maintaining that traditionally black hairstyles is justifiable to fire someone over. i wonder how your tone would change if society's standards shifted to judge traditionally white american styles instead? sure would suck to get fired over that, told your history is in fact ugly, dirty, and unkempt, and you should just shut your mouth, deny your roots, and conform to someone *else's* standards just to be allowed to keep a job.

[@need2bereading]

@weksauce You just acknowledged that​ because of the shape of the hair choices are limited for some and then proceeded to say that we should be able to discriminate based on choices some don't even have. Wow.

[@patriciasamo3364]

Black woman here...Am I the only one who is impressed by John's depth of knowledge on the topic of our hair? I was laughing so hard throughout this video. Thanks John!

[@zammymynakersnackstbmoth]

John always covers things so well. I knew he'd nail this but I was still like man, he fid the damn thang!!

[@C3yl0]

It is called empathy, compassion, and love to research. 👽♥️♥️♥️

[@internetexplorer6304]

@@C3yl0 and probably listening to some actual real life black women!

[@k.a.2241]

I hollered at how well he described the hair braiding salons. I was like wow this white due really got this shit.

[@Iainttrynadoxxmyself]

His writers are diverse and qualified. Yes!

[@capngeeoff]

"I don't normally take pictures of children but..." is the kind of statement that makes your skin crawl

[@CollinMcLean]

It's the kind of statement that makes me slowly back away towards the nearest exit while dialing 911

[@zammymynakersnackstbmoth]

Makes me think he belings on a registry.

[@breciabloom6076]

My jaw dropped. He really said that shit with a smile on his face.

[@foxesofautumn]

I think he was trying to say he wasn’t racist without mentioning racism? “I really do like me some black people hmm.” It was a yikes from me and from the poor people he was trying to reassure.

[@sirius1696]

Ohio state rep: I want to ADDRESS this issue. [Black people nods] You KNOW that I don't ordinarily take pictures of children Black people: O-K? Ohio State Rep: BUT!

[@nutmegz9534]

John is invited to the picnic. He spitting facts so hard.

[@brandondavidson4085]

I worked at a beauty salon for exactly one day because I got into a discussion with the Asian manager who called 4C hair "ethnic", "coarse", and "rough". My wife is an Afro-Caribbean woman who very much loves her natural hair.

[@r0bw00d]

Was he wrong?

[@brandondavidson4085]

@@r0bw00d yes and so are you

[@r0bw00d]

@@brandondavidson4085 Impossible, as I never made a positive claim. Now, how was he wrong?

[@abena736]

As a black woman with locs I’ve had since the 4th grade, all of this hit really close to home. My hair is one of my biggest sources of pride, it’s my favorite feature. My hair is beautiful, and I’ve spent nearly 11 years growing it out and taking care of it with everything I could. I’ve also been denied a job at a smoothie place because I “didn’t fit the aesthetic.” I’ve watched my father shave off his hair after starting a new job several times growing up because he “needed to make sure this job stays.” I watched my mom be mistreated and passed over for several promotions while working retail because of her own locs that she had had my entire life, and her finally making manager almost immediately after cutting them off. I’ve watched my dad try and convince my 11 year old brother that he has to get a hair cut despite never having one since he was born because “I don’t want you to be held back in life the day when you’re forced to do it.” Not if, WHEN. I’ve seen my younger sister flat iron her hair before big pictures and events because she thinks that’s cuter and better suited than her natural beautiful curls. Hair discrimination is a real thing, and it needs to come to an end.

[@Taz.K]

May I ask how long your hair is? Cause 11 years of continual hair growth sounds wild.

[@abena736]

@@Taz.K it’s just past the small of my back, so I’m not quite sitting on it but if I don’t get it cut for a few more months I will be. If I had to guess maybe like 2.75 feet or so give or take. When my mom started them out I was 9 so they were just above my ears so it’s definitely been a process lol. My mom before she cut hers were even longer, like almost 3 and a half feet and she’d been growing them for like 25 years

[@S3rp3rior]

@@abena736 and she was forced to cut all of it off? just so she could provide for herself and her family? I feel like crying...

[@Taz.K]

@@abena736 cool! I’ve always wanted to grow my hair out long but couldn’t cause of family influence.

[@ProbsNotABot]

Your dreads sound amazing! A friend of mine's uncle had to do the same thing. My friend says they were amazingly long, healthy, and midway down his back. But, he couldn't get a job with them so he had to cut them off. This absolute nonsense is infuriating to think about.

[@Montesama314]

"You people are beautiful..." Oh, this is gonna be a GREAT conversation.

[@AbsentWithoutLeaving]

Yeah, I was wondering where he was gonna go with that, but it took a turn I did NOT see coming.

[@vfaulkon]

Not a great start....but okay, let's see where he goes with this. ....oh. Ohhhhh dear. Sir, that's not a thing people normally do? Sir? ...sir! The eff, sir?!

[@tamoxigirl78]

So cringeworthy 🤭😏😖

[@meganesenpai]

Can I adress the elephant in the room? He's a f*cking racist trying to sound not racist, and in the process makes him even more racist. This reminds me of the last president candidate debates when Trump said "I'm the least racist person in the room.", literaturely in front of a non-white moderator.

[@adrienneweare2772]

I think the two ladies who were smiling were getting a kick over how nervous he was.

[@EricaADigel]

One of my first gfs is black. I remember my ignorant, southern, white, teenaged ass used to say that their hair wasn't a big deal, and they needed to chill about it. She quickly educated me on the subject and even had me over to her home to watch the process of her mother, her sister, and herself, getting their done. During those hours, I learned all sorts of things about their heritage, how their hair ties into that heritage, the discrimination they face because of their hair... I learned so much, and I was so grateful they took the time to teach me. Because as an adult, I know now that it wasn't their job to teach me, they didn't have to do that, but they did. And today I have an appreciation for the beauty and the work that goes into those intricate styles, and I'll defend them and their right to express themselves and their cultures for the rest of my life.

[@missaniebananie6473]

1) Box braids: a style done by taking a pic comb, separating a square area of hair, taking a small section of that, braiding it, and then picking up the rest of the hair section with the 3 segments and braiding it down so that it is tight and lays with the natural flow of the hair 2) 2 strand twists: twisting words strands of a squared off segment of hair with the natural flow of the hair separately and then twisting them together tightly until the mass is tightly curled enough to make into a small bun and letting it rest around your head 3) corn rows: the same step as a mix braid with the addition of collecting more hair every rotation to all 3 strands (usually with the natural flow of the persons hair pattern but not always) often done as a stand alone style, as the base for a sew in weave, or as the bases for a bald cap/wig cap to go over before laying down a lace front because the braids are tight to your head 4) dreadlocks: sections of hair rolled between the hands or styled into cylindrical “tubes” of hair. Often times extra hair is added for colour/length. 5)Lace fronts: a wig where in small segments of hair are pulled into one lace cap, and bonded together but another layer of beige lace to mimic a natural hair line. The hair underneath is laid flat and then a wig cap is added to that followed by the lace front. A thin layer of adhesive of some sort, then you lay the lace down flat to the head (some people use a pic comb, a spoon, or just their fingers so that the wig lace is perfectly flat) then the lace is trimmed off, and styling begins That isn’t even half but it’s a good start for white people. If I have anything wrong please correct me in the comments. I used to style hair and my mission was to be able to work with any hair type and request so I was taught by my black stylist friends

[@incognitonegress3453]

👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@ForrestFox626]

👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿

[@Ittybittyree33]

Isn't even half but still better than having celebrities tell people to "fucking Google it."

[@__Andrew]

wow, the "im not racist, i have a black friend" has morphed into "im not racist, i take photos of black children"

[@airplanes_aren.t_real]

If we don't do anything about it it's going to become "I'm not racist, I saw a black person and didn't call the police once" People need to realize that they don't know everything and that everyone has biases and preconceptions, if you don't admit that you have a problem the problem will only become worse

[@Kalysta]

If anyone seriously thinks this they should stop and deeply question whether or not they are actually a pedophile.

[@airplanes_aren.t_real]

@@Kalysta people should really consider this whole "I might be x" thing as a huge red flag that you might be x

[@jbtpa895]

The "you people" really got me. Then he had kids pictures,yikes.

[@paahl1572]

Not creepy at all.

[@redshadowfist]

As a black guy that loves this show I was scared when I read this title. This would not me the topic to slip up on. John you did it again. Great job! This man must be protected at all cost.

[@fireside68]

When he walked through laying the edges down I was like "he did his mu'fuckin research, huh?"

[@PkkSpiral]

I've already petitioned for Mr. Oliver's reservation at the cookout.

[@KatreiseRuffin]

John has done his research and this was good...i was a little anxious but he never disappoints!

[@mbrightster]

@@PkkSpiral C'mon, you made me laugh so hard tears are pooring down my face.

[@fexbio]

This hits close to home. I'm Brazilian. It's really hard to determine a lot of people's heritage around here, because there's an enormous rate of miscigenation in our population. I, myself, am very undefineable: I'm clearly of black heritage, although people here dispute it when I claim it, because my skin is of a lighter tone. As if I'm talking myself down by stating I'm black. The reason I don't state I'm black very often (I usually check the box for "brown") is because I don't feel I experimented real racism as black people do. Because, you know, my SKIN IS LIGHTER. Is fucking ridiculous, but as people perceive me as white - it's even in my birth certificate - if I do experiment racism, it's subtle and go over my head. I only started to pay attention to these questions later in life, as internet surfaced these discussions. And as affirmative action tries to reparate the historic damage our society inflicted on black people, I don't feel validated in taking advantage of any of those. I don't feel like I paid my proper dues to the racial struggle. The country I went that a lot of natives confused me as their own was Morocco. But they think themselves as white. They call the subsaharian Africa "black Africa". It's stupid as hell. My hair? Curly. Really curly. Like you see in renditions of cherubins, but black. It's not the curliest possible, though. Real black people - the ones who go undisputed and get persecuted by the police - might have real small curls, way smaller than mine. And the term brazilians usually use for this kind of hair translate, literally, as "bad hair". When I was young my mother tried to disguise it by putting a lot of hair gel, combing it really close to my scalp and mantaing it short. I still like it short - less upkeep - but when it grows, I let it grow freely. I like how it looks. And my mother herself does that to her hair, the hot irons, the chemicals and whatnot. It took me more than twenty years to convince her to stop destroying her hair with these straightening techniques - they're very destructive - and just accept what she was: black! Let your hair be as your hair is. Just treat it well, take care of it and it will be beautiful. That's what makes good or bad hair: cleanliness, hidration, proper care. Straightened hair not only looks awful, it enormously restrains the lives of those who live with it. That's what racism does. It strips us away from our identities. I don't know how to present myself: I don't like either denying my heritage nor belittling the struggle of black people. My mother was taught from infancy that being her was just wrong. This is so dehumanizing for reasons so stupid it makes me want to cry. And all this while real shitty people, the ones who trully have all the reasons to be disgusted at themselves, are running the country and stepping on everyone's heads, laughing and feasting with our resources.

[@VanessaAbeyawardena]

Thank you for sharing your story ❤️

[@TysonEsau]

You melt that lace , and you lay the edges down so well they fall asleep !!!!❤️❤️❤️❤️🔥🔥

[@lecamstern00b30]

I have an African American little brother. The rest of my family is white. My dad has done so much over my brother's life trying to learn how to take care of my brother's hair. I will never forget sitting in a px and listening to my dad have the most energetic conversation I have seen with an African American woman about what type of hair products she would recommend after she offered to help.

[@ForrestFox626]

You and your brother have a good dad

[@walkz007]

👏👏👏👏 wonderful

[@menialharpsichordist553]

honestly i expected this to a be another story of a parent trying to "wash" there black child int being white, but i'm glad i heard an actually inspiring story atlest somewhere heres a tiny sparkle of hope,

[@rileyk5228]

What's a px?

[@BackWhereYouStarted]

@@rileyk5228 google it!

[@grimtheghastly8878]

Honestly, as a black woman, this episode makes me so happy. Not many ppl understand how frustrating hair struggles can be for someone like me. I've been mocked and belittled by so many ppl for pointing this shit out. It got so bad I ended up cutting it off bc I couldn't handle it anymore. It saddens me that it took a white man explaining this to ppl for them to listen but I deeply appreciate this

[@Nik.No.K]

Tbh I never even knew this was ever an issue. When I saw the title of the video I was actually perplexed as to what he would have to say about hair. All of this is just to say that he’s definitely spreading awareness about this because I’m sure there are a lot more white people like me out there. Also as a tattooed person I strongly believe that anyone should be able to look however they want without discrimination. Whether it’s body modification or hair no one should be held back in life because of the way they look.

[@kroto7451]

I don't understand why it's such a big deal how someone styles their hair. There are more important things to complain about then what someone looks like. I understand if it's at the workplace you should at least adhere to the dress code, but that should be limited to clothing only. People should praise cultural differences and be excited that the world is becoming more diverse, not trying to stop it from happening or be afraid of it.

[@hunnybadger442]

Hair and tattoos really bug people... But see how bad it gets when you're fat.... Hair you change, tattoos, to a point, you can cover... Fat there's just no hiding it....

[@Diepvries11]

How often do you need to wash your black hair?

[@dreamofTARA]

@@Diepvries11 1. Why would you ask such a creepy question that is completely irrelevant to the posters comment? 2. Being that you already know she is black as she stated in her comment, it is off-putting to refer to her hair as "black hair" in the context of a conversation.

[@jodevivre5368]

Kudos to you and your team, John! You nailed this (as always). Bravo, and thank you!!

[@TheAcenightcreeper]

As a white dude…Didnt even realize how much this impacted black women until i dated and married a black woman…i had no idea people would randomly grab and touch black peoples hair….and i really had no idea that when a black woman says she cant do something because she is washing her hair….she truly means it….it is a gd half day ordeal…silk pillowcases…bonnets everywhere…but i love it. My girls hair always smells like something intoxicating….yum. Protective Styles P

[@trapadvisor]

Good for you Mike. Always keep learning

[@markpasieka]

Obviously the accomplishment of a lifetime.

[@danik9085]

Shout out to Last Week Tonight's black writers for this segment. Silk press with bumped ends got me.😂😂😂

[@abookishmess]

Girl yes 🤣🤣🤣

[@jesustyronechrist2330]

What if they were actually... I dunno, Siberian, but just know how to Google?

[@lynyngragfunkyfoot3765]

@@jesustyronechrist2330 That's fine. It fit the segment and like the Russians of before clearly have taken the time to get to know us.

[@anthonyzullo]

@@jesustyronechrist2330 the fact the homework was put in by experience or actually finding out and not simply pandering with the first paragraph on Wikipedia is just as good.

[@thec2chick]

When mentioned the hot comb and smell I had to smile. He asked for assistance and listened to black women.

[@dragonreborn2099]

As a Sikh, this episode hit home. As a culture that has to face hair-based discrimination (sometimes brutal/visceral) for our entire history, it was refreshing to learn that we aren't alone in this world. For my fellow humans, who are ethnically black, don't give up, stand up for our own crown. The fight is hard, but worth it. For our own history, we have had to give up our lives for the right to keep our hair. Bhai Taru Singh was literally descalped for not cutting his hair. Protect your heritage and culture, regardless of their misunderstanding.

[@jasperhighwind6119]

Thanks man. I will tell you, it's wonderful to hear you stand with us. I will also stand with you as well, DragonReborn.

[@TheorizingWithBen]

In real life, he'll probably never meet you. He's using Critical Race Theory to doublecross your distress. A meritocratic world cant exist with Socialism, Communism, or any other Collectivism. Sorry. Just work hard in life and live rationally.

[@russellzauner]

@@jasperhighwind6119 ask him about cultural beard discrimination, and don't even pretend it's not a thing where it's evil to show a woman's face in public. Unless people are treated equally no matter their hair or outer features, then there's no equity. Are women who want a divorce still beheaded?

[@dangelo1369]

@@TheorizingWithBen You don't know what you're talking about. Do this: don't say anything unless it improves the silence.

[@bills.9734]

@@russellzauner He is a Sikh, not a Muslim. Please educate yourself on the difference. Sikh's are absolutely wonderful people, full of love and respect!

[@eequeenoid]

Shout out to Oliver for bringing this to the surface....I don't know who is writers/editors are who are part of his team....but 🎉🎉🎉🎉.

[@NikkiLocd]

I am so in love with this episode! Applause 👏🏾 for the writers and John!!! This was awesome. Now, how do we get everyone to watch AND understand?! 🤔

[@markrobinson1480]

I’m a long haired black man, that works in a call center... I’ve never felt more SEEN. ✌🏾✊🏾 JO

[@Artimidorus]

Careful, if you work in a call center we don't want you to start feeling like a person. Then you'll start expecting customers to consider you might not just be a disembodied voice that doesn't exist just to give bad news.

[@maxcarlos1355]

Yooo fellow call center warrior

[@JonJon-it8kk]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/e3KwcnWFntiSjpI

[@DeMonSpencer]

I grew up in an all white town and all white school. When I was in the 4th grade I asked my mom to stop putting grease in my hair because a teacher patted me on the head one day and made a face like it was disgusting then said ewww and found a paper towel and wiped her hand off. A few of my classmates saw this and laughed. As all black people know our hair can get very dry without oil or hair grease so of course my mom didn't indulge my request. It's small moments like I had with that teacher that reinforce the idea that blackness was unacceptable. I'm so glad that John choose this topic for his show this week.

[@DarthFurie]

I'm so sorry that you experienced this 😔 Why was your teacher touching your hair at all? I'm a teacher and my hand has accidentally come into contact with kids' hair a few times, but I don't go around touching kids' hair. And the fact that she had an insulting reaction to your hair is even worse!

[@DeMonSpencer]

@@DarthFurie I was the only black kid, everyone wanted to touch my hair. Sometimes they would ask permission but most didn't.

[@JJSon-co1fn]

Like you were an alien or the show and tell pet for the day🙄

[@DarthFurie]

@@DeMonSpencer I asked because a lot of states actually have laws about these things. Teachers are supposed to have little to no physical contact with children. Really there is no reason to do so

[@868Empress]

She shouldn't've been touching your hair in the first place. Sorry you were made to feel less than ❤️

[@massfractal8]

I've watched this more than once and it remains terrific, fantastic, and timely. You go, sir! Drop that knowledge!

[@orkmad12]

This may be the most relatable 24 minutes and 24 seconds of content that I have ever consumed...

[@anneirungu2939]

I never thought I would see the day John Oliver spoke about black hair.

[@Handicrafti]

That was your first mistake: never discount anything that John Oliver might talk about. Everything is possible

[@katla_phc]

I like to think that John got some new writers on staff that included black women and then something came up in conversation leading to an all day lecture about black hair experiences then this episode.

[@doctorpanigrahi9975]

Oliver also flew a plane on 9/11

[@TheJohnmatchettiero]

I saw it

[@simbamartens7192]

I think a pressing issue he should revisit is China's oppression of the Uyghurs which is looking like a genocide. There's a great video unpacking that and what we can do about it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y36Xfat5fK6LbrM

[@DoctorPsyduck]

I'm a white guy who works in a kitchen full of black women. I don't know anything about black hair, except for one thing; your hair looks very pretty today.

[@fleurserieux]

Good job 👍🏽

[@irish_apex1094]

Well played sir 🤣🤣🤣

[@TheBlueB0mber]

1000% IQ move

[@whychoooseausername4763]

Perfect !

[@irreleverent]

That's allllll you fuckin' need. That is all the input you ever need to have on anyone else's hair.

[@yami._.yami._.]

The girl in the Banana Republic looked gorgeous. And even I as someone growing up in mostly white European neighbourhoods and admittedly having no experience with black hair could see that her hair was extraordinarily well taken care of. I'd be pleased to see her in a shop. Where on earth did it diminish the image of the company? If anything, it would improve it as it may indicate less bias against people of colour. I've never had Dredd locks but as a teenager, my granny braided my hair into 8 to 10 braids to add some waves to my boring straight hair. And it took ages. The girl or better young woman had between 50 to 100 of them, and way longer hair than I ever had. I'm in deep awe of the woman and her hairdresser's patience to fix it. And even my thin, straight hair was sometimes looking like an exploded pillow before I straightened it back to what I wanted to have. But if you did that with the super thin braids of naturally curly black hair.... holy f.ck. That manager really needs to try braiding his daughter's or granddaughter's hair for a change to get an idea how time-consuming just 2 braids can be.

[@sonyashus]

I was born and raised in Siberia, Russia. I have straight hair, and growing up I was SO IN LOVE with Gloria Reuben's hair (from ER). Since we used to go to the steppe during summer and there were not many options to shower, my mum used to braid my hair. It was not a fashion choice (though it looked amazing), it was more of a necessity. One of the girls made fun of my hair, it affected me, but then I overcame that. We didn't have people of African decent in my city, and I've never actually expected this to be that harsh... But remembering my one and only judgemental interaction... I'm so sorry you had to go through that. Please, remember, your hair looks amazing, be proud of it!

[@Gabowsk]

"I don't normally take pictures of children, but these were black children" This is so un-intentionally racist that I can't even begin describing.

[@kathlynarchibald-drew4395]

That might be the scariest thing I’ve ever heard.

[@Gabowsk]

@@kathlynarchibald-drew4395 EXACTLY! wtf, Utah?

[@PartnershipsForYou]

Good ol republican Utah

[@jeannevandehy2232]

Well, it is Utah, so I would guess he doesn't see black people every day. Utah is so white, you can see it glow from space!

[@klalbritton]

Next level cringe-worthy...

[@MoonFairy929]

When I saw the thumbnail is was like “you really wanna go there John?” I will never doubt the king again.

[@lpd411]

This deserves more likes.

[@herb_a_day]

This is the best comment on here 😂😂😂😂😂

[@MichaelBerthelsen]

He's a gift to humanity.😉❤

[@reneejsays]

Lmao yes. I actually noted out of the video until it auto played after another. I feel shame 😂

[@audralynne9760]

I had similar thoughts but I was like okay I know he does his research well so let's take this ride together. I was not disappointed.

[@skyistaken1605]

I am white. Extremely white. Very male even. So take everything I say with that context in mind. I went to a catholic school and decided I wanted long hair. I loved metal and rock and that style spoke to me and so I grew it out and encountered judgement for it. For the fucking hair on my head just growing how it grew. I was made to feel shame. Bullied. But I'm glad it never got to me because I love my hair. I've dyed it, grown it longer and I love it. But if my hair was judged based on centuries of oppression I could not escape and a culture refusing to even learn about me, well I can tell you I would not just "deal with it" and not care what people say. That would be heart breaking. That is something I'll never have to deal with but in a very very minor way, I've experienced a similar feeling with hair and so this is one fight I can relate to in at least some way. Hair is beautiful, no one owes you the style of hair you like. ESPECIALLY if it's based on race. Let people express themselves and stay the fuck away. People just want to be people. Let them.

[@feralbluee]

my son’s father had the same problem - middle 1960’s. it’s totally ridiculous that guys can’t have longish or long hair in catholic school!!!! even green or purple hair, for that matter! who cares!!!!?? has to be clean though, but that’s just hygienic :)

[@jordanhabibi332]

I’m not black, but I find it funny how I relate to the issue of hairstylists being unable to work with my hair or having difficulties with it. I have a white friend who’s a certified cosmetologist and he loves seeing my hair, but always complains about how difficult it is to cut because it’s so thick. And bless his heart, but there’s always more than a few issues when he’s done. Looking back, I have only had smooth haircuts from other people who were POC.

[@neosefolo5911]

This is so important. As a former little black girl who aspired to white hair, and viewed my hair as an unkempt inconvenience who now loves and embraces her hair, I say thank you.

[@SpringLeafWolf]

SAME!!!

[@bioticjedi3864]

lol as a mixed girl i always wanted black-style hair, especially afros, but my hair wasn't kinky enough xD, grass is always greener i suppose

[@mikemattis1204]

No one cares

[@1121494]

@@bioticjedi3864 As a ginger growing up I asked my instantly despairing barber for the Haircut of Steve Urkel.

[@astrowolvez]

@@mikemattis1204 clearly you do.

[@ryanfaber9384]

"Fucking off is always an option." One of the most perfectly succinct sentences I have heard in a long time. This applies in so many circumstances yet so many people never even consider it.

[@kitcoffey7194]

The world would be a better place if more people minded their own business.

[@BebbaDubbs]

"you can learn and appreciate on your own" i was waiting for the "and u can keep all of that to your damn self! Nobody needs to KNOW that you've embarked on this journey!"

[@dyerseve45]

Tell me about it. Like if blacks kept telling me I'm supposed to care about their fn hair and im just like "dude fuck off. No white people care about black people let alone their hair", the world would be way better

[@dyerseve45]

And "fucking off" is a succinct sentence for you from a black celebrity directed at white people? Find out where these black "celebrities" live and look at the racial demographic. I bet my life savings it isn't in a black neighborhood.

[@oneandonlyjark]

@@dyerseve45 that doesn't sound like you fucking off!

[@kaylea155]

Who's back here after the Darryl George case, both impressed and depressed that John Oliver's stories are always still relevant, even two years later

[@The-Seal-Of-Approval]

To start of I'm not American and I don't know much about the school system there..... But the clear racism of Darryl's case aside, I find it deeply uncomfortable that a school could have a say about their students hair length and/or style

[@d-vngwenya4043]

The detail in this story is immaculate, as it usually is . It just hits different because it's so personal.

[@TechBabe_E]

Baby you did this!!!!!!!! I been in corporate america 13 years now and let me tell you, it took 7 years to be comfortable enough to wear my hair and wear it natural because of fear of loosing promotions and accolades. Whichever sista or sistas educated you John, Thank You! I'm glad you learned, appreciated and presented this perfectly!

[@Squeaks-42069]

@@DreamingVoid Maybe you should educate yourself first

[@ameliecarre4783]

@@DreamingVoid well yeah, sure. Definitely. But in the meantime, we have to tackle the problems at hand, one problem after the other. It doesn't have to be one big gigantic change all at once, it may be incremental but it's moving forward.

[@FumbleSquid]

@@DreamingVoid So why shouldn't we make it as hard as possible for people to discriminate on racial grounds? If we keep banning these loopholes, the excuses they have to come up with will get increasingly nonsensical, and therefor, easier to spot. If it is legal, there is nothing we can do about it. Also better education is a hard sell simply because one party is pretty much dedicated to demolishing public schooling, standards, and especially any sort of diversity education.

[@hdd1977m7]

Work places don’t even tolerate wavy hair, and it’s not just in America

[@avigutierrez8948]

😏🥂

[@GoodnWise]

I want to meet the consultants who prepped John Oliver so well. His knowledge was on the graduate student level. “Holding your ears” while getting your hair pressed. Insider knowledge!

[@Nairot]

I guess his consultant was just an average. black person. (but nonethelss, a great episode as always)

[@Iprsmrk]

Excellent prep work ;)

[@helentribue7614]

Me too GoodnWise! He had to have done some serious research and had some real, in depth convo to get such intricate and sometimes personal details about hair styling and the daily issues surrounding black/natural hair. And not just "the average black person". Many of us are multi-racial/cultural and have different levels of hair issues. We aren't all the same. Textures, lengths, thick/thin differences and more can change how you do (or don't do) your hair. I'm curious who sat him down and apparently, spilled ALL the tea! :)

[@ChristianKleineidam]

John Oliver doesn't write his sketches himself. His show has 12 writers (www.hbo.com/last-week-tonight-with-john-oliver/cast-and-crew) among them Ali Barthwell.

[@sarahmcclain9766]

Writers: ALI BARTHWELL, BEN SILVA, CHRISSY SHACKELFORD, DANIEL O’BRIEN, GREG IWINSKI, JOANNA ROTHKOPF, JOHNATHAN APPEL, LIZ HYNES, MARK KRAMER, OWEN PARSONS, SEENA VALI, CHARLIE REDD

[@juliebrowne3467]

John Oliver just became one of favourites. It's a wonderful thing to be seen.

[@jadathomas6266]

I never really understood why I never liked my own natural curly hair until I watched is.... This is hitting different...

[@joshlatta2532]

"You can figure this out on your own, you figured out Settlers of Catan" is possibly the best quote I've heard this year

[@Jeremycook_]

Will Wheatons ears perk up.

[@Fish_Stick_Party]

I was listening to this at work and just busted out laughing. Made my day. So great.

[@MzHues]

I was dead when he said this.

[@blkcat93]

Googles 'Settlers of Catan'

[@malteschaper3782]

I'm so white, I thought: "Settlers of Catan is not even complicated." Got me good.

[@jackphantom]

I love this segment. More, Oliver (and more important the writing staff). More.

[@SpokaneGirl85]

Wow, this has to be the most clearest way of explaining hair discrimination and why hair styles matter.

[@APuzzledZebra]

as someone who went to Penn State when that story happened, I wish he would’ve mentioned the fact that the entire student body and university faculty stood up for him and basically said fuck you to the guy that wrote the letter.

[@PhatandChunky]

That does seem like important information to have in this segment.

[@bzuidgeest]

Considering that there was only a single signature on that letter seems to imply that.

[@Phyrre56]

I think it was pretty clear in the video that the old white man was on an island there. But it's important to note that he exists, and there are plenty of other old white people who agree with him. Dress codes and hairstyle codes have a long history of explaining away racist intents. No self expression = cultural integration.

[@antlora81]

@@Phyrre56 yeah, it's funny how they set up a dress code or hair code and the stuff that is band is what looks different from them. I would love to see a hair band include mushroom haircuts and long ponytails see how they react.

[@TheSvj5047]

What year was this? Cause I'm at Penn state...

[@nenrit-elijahgreen3571]

This is why you have diverse writers rooms

[@TheAfroGoddess]

🎯

[@Crimsonraziel]

No. That's just so you can say: I'm not a racist, some of my writers a black!

[@MelodicQuest]

@@Crimsonraziel Oh so you DIDN'T watch the video. Cool...

[@pietrosigismondodelvalenti6371]

I use that logic to explain Biden's appeal to those Drumpf supporters who simply don't know better (the younger ones who can still learn, but were raised by (impolite noun)) It's obvious Biden talks to different people, the Trumpanzee does not.

[@Crimsonraziel]

@btamamura 5 month late and didn't get the joke. Gratulations.

[@Polynomia]

I recently got a tiny taste of how this might feel. A few days ago my mother who has beginning dementia (with visual/audio hallucinations) called me up to tell me my hair looked absolutely horrible, and that even her neighbors had commented on my appearance. She had transferred money to me and demanded I get my hair cut a certain way (she described the "Karen" ) and said that I also had to dye my hair blond as that would improve my appearance. She was very insistent and kept going on about how ugly and embarrassing my long hair was. I was crying non stop and pretty much in chock the rest of the day.. I have of course forgiven her now as she has a pretty good excuse for saying weird shit, and she felt really bad later when she realized what she had said. But if this had been my boss or a colleague and keeping my job depended on having the hairstyle they deemed suitable, I would have been absolutely devastated.

[@norabrandt4078]

This video is my life in a nut shell. I'm 1/2 black & 1/2 white, raised by a older, white family in a very, very WHITE county in Oregon from 1976 til now. I'm 45 yrs. old and can't my hair to grow & not break off. Absolutely 000 hair salons in Salem and/or surrounding areas know what to do with my hair. So, I keep it quite short for easy management. I just want hair like the black women I see everywhere else. 👩🏾👩🏾

[@lenatisdale]

As a black woman it has always boggled my mind that people have such a huge problem with the hair that grows out of my head. It's like ' go get a job or a hobby and stay out of my hair'

[@maureenwestfall403]

My granddaughter (I’m white and she is mixed) and who has beautiful hair in my opinion.. asked me to pull her hair into a ponytail after her first few minutes of zoom school two days ago ... ( it was free and big ! I thought it looked adorable 🥰) makes me mad that she felt she needed to change her look for others 😞

[@kamille6636]

Facts

[@ryanr4361]

People have a problem with black woman’s hair? I don’t understand the world anymore. Why don’t people just learn how to grow plants or some shit and be productive? Fuck me.

[@erinnicole5748]

This!!! I really thought, at the end, they were going to say "mind your own damn business" instead of "google it". It always weirds me out when people claim to dislike something but are more obsessed with it than anyone else. Like Christians and what strangers do with their genitals.

[@michaell8184]

It's not your hair they have an issue with...it's your blackness...it's our blackness... And everything that is distinct to blackness they hate.... 'down to the hair on our chinny chin chin' . They try to destroy it and then create a their own versions... Music Tanning Language On and on