We couldn't stop laughing when Franchesca Ramsey joked about white girls comparing the feel of black girls' hair to a Brillo pad in her "Sh-t White Girls Say...To Black Girls" video.
But a version of the same unflattering sentiment is costing Sony Music $1.2 million...not laughs.
Sony Music has been ordered to pay $1.2 million (equivalent to about $656,000 in American dollars) in retroactive compensation back to 1997 for the release of the song "Veja os Cabelos Dela (Look at Her Hair)" by the Brazilian singer, comedian and politician Francisco Everardo Oliveira Silva whose stage name is Tiririca.
The lyrics not only liken a black woman's hair to "a scouring pad for pots and pans," but also calls her a "stinking beast." Oy!
The lawsuit was brought forth by 10 non-governmental organizations that fight against racism. Humberto Adami, the defense attorney of the NGOs, argued that black women were offended, exposed to ridicule and felt violated due to the lyrical content of the song.
"This decision is a direct message to show how the issue of racial inequality should be treated. It is a moment to celebrate. The compensation won't even go to the authors of the lawsuit. The money will go to the Diffused Rights Fund of the Ministry of Justice,"commented Adami.
Adami claims that the damages paid in the suit are the highest ever paid for compensation of a racist act in Brazil.
A representative for Sony maintained that the song was not intended to offend women and that Tiririca was in fact alluding to his wife in the song and that the terminology used in the song are used by Brazilians in reference to not only black women but white women as well.
Shame on Tiririca writing such a horrible song about his wife. Secondly, the song specifically referencing a "black woman," so I don't know how Sony can make the connection to white women. But you be the judge...
The song lyrics in Portuguese and English:
Veja veja veja veja veja os cabelos dela (4x) (Look look look look look at her hair (4x)
Parece bom-bril*, de ariá panela (It looks like a scouring pad for pots and pans)
Parece bom-bril, de ariá panela (It looks like a scouring pad for pots and pans)
Quando ela passa, me chama atenção (When she goes by, she catches my attention)
Mas os seus cabelos, não tem jeito não (But her hair just isn't right)
A sua catinga quase me desmaiou (Her stench almost made me faint)
Veja veja veja veja veja os cabelos dela (Look look look look look at her hair)
Parece bom-bril, de ariá panela (2x) (It looks like a scouring pad for pots and pans) (2x)
Eu já mandei, ela se lavar (I told her to take a bath)
Mas ela teimo, e não quis me escutar (But she's stubborn and doesn't listen to me)
Essa nega fede, fede de lascar (This black woman stinks, she stinks horribly)
Bicha fedorenta, fede mais que gambá (Stinking beast, smells worse than a skunk)
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We couldn't stop laughing when Franchesca Ramsey joked about white girls comparing the feel of black girls' hair to a Brillo pad in her "Sh-t White Girls Say...To Black Girls" video.
But a version ...
We couldn't stop laughing when Franchesca Ramsey joked about white girls comparing the feel of black girls' hair to a Brillo pad in her "Sh-t White Girls Say...To Black Girls" video.
But a version ...
We can't be mad at this song. We need to be mad at ourselves. We as Black women perpetuate this kind of hatred because it boils up inside of us and overflows onto the rest of society. When we start embracing our natural beauty the rest of the world will embrace it as well. As long as we wear wigs and weave and relaxers and not the hair God gave us...we are this song.
Michael Jackson is rolling over in his grave. He tried to illuminate Sony’s racist attitudes and practices several years ago, and most did not want to listen to him. Racism persists. It’s a canker in many attitudes, beliefs and practices, that must continue to be identified, and eradicated by any means necessary. RIP, Michael….. still the King of pop!!
SeizeTheMoment: Michael Jackson is rolling over in his grave. He tried
I am not surprised at this song, even though I an shocked that this guy wrote this about his wife. If my spouse or boyfriend wrote something like this about me, i would divorce him! Generally speaking in Latin countries dark skin and kinky hair is seen as undesirable and ugly, and people from countries often bring their attitudes with them. I have natural hair and I was walking down the street near my home when a group of Mexican men walked by. They starting pointing at my hair and laughing. I don't speak Spanish, but I could tell from their cruel mocking laughter and the tone of their voices that they were making fun of me. i have worn my natural hair for years and with the exception of one ignorant white man who said "straighten your phuckin' hair" out of the clear blue sky, no one has ever ridiculed me like this.
tonksrock: I am not surprised at this song, even though I
Wow that is deep. I have been natural off and on for 13 years and in the beginning it was hard but it has gotten easier as we have started embracing ourselves. It starts with us. Blacks have been known to be the biggest self abusers in this regard.
Enjoy your natural hair Sis!
I wrote about my journey with natural hair ...you can find it here...
Ehh, not really surprised. Brazil is just as bad as America when it comes to these issues. People seem to be sooo surprised by it. If you are really confident in your hair this song would only be maybe just a little offensive. I have natural hair and I love my hair. Whether other people like or dislike it is THEIR problem not mine. I mean this isn't the first time I heard of or read an article Brazil (or someone in Brazil) and their "issues" with natural hair. Which makes you wonder if it's a strong hatred or a secret obsession ...sad thing is it happens here in America also. A lot of you keep talking about how if someone straightens their hair or has fake hair it self hate becuase it isn't natural. Like I said before if someone goes to a tanning salon is that natural? If someone puts chemicals in their hair (perm) to make it curly is that natural? If someone decides to change their hair color? Think about the many people who tan, or lighten their skin ( some places Asia and middle east also). People are simple minded and don't realize that their are people who do have skin/hair conditions, or people who just want to experiment with their looks. I mean if that is the case for some people case then that would mean....PEOPLE AROUND WORLD HAVE ISSUES.
Itz__her: Ehh, not really surprised. Brazil is just as bad as
People who live outside of the U.S. Sorry, should have been clear. Many people living in Europe claim to be so "accepting" of everyone (regardless of ethnicity)" as if racism is non-existent.
OutspokenShy: People who live outside of the U.S. Sorry, should have
...and I know this artist is from brazil, Europe was an example, though many latin american (caribbean, for that fact) countries (individuals) claim not to have a "race issue." Which is completely false.
OutspokenShy: ...and I know this artist is from brazil, Europe was
Black women should take a tip from Brazil - we've been insulted in Rap and Hip Hop for at least 25 years for everything from our hair and skin shades, to our bodies. But none of the American musicians are sued or taken to task for it - in fact they are celebrated and have helped to keep the status of Black women in the trash. I say Yay Brazil! for making Sony pay for it's garbage. Sony already made a fortune on the degradation of Black women in the U.S. - but I guess they can take their garbage elsewhere because it won't work in Brazil1
arjiet: Black women should take a tip from Brazil - we've
. I don't know what has got you blinded or maybe it's just one article but Brazil has just as many problems when it comes to race and skin color as other countries do. Not the first Time I heard a story of someone being insulted,ridiculed in Brazil becuase of hair. You should do some more looking up.
Itz__her: . I don't know what has got you blinded or
Is the song racist?...sure. Is it more offensive than what is heard on local urban radio stations and seen on BET?...not really. I think being called a B!t@h and a H@e or have it suggested that women should have sex for a little bit of money is more offensive. If anyone should be sued and ordered to pay a fine because black women were offended it would be the same record labels who release the songs that are blasted here in America.
kislaughter: Is the song racist?...sure. Is it more offensive than what
This song is worse than racist, it is evil. I cannot believe black Brazilian women walk around with this song hanging over their heads. Five years ago, when someone told me I look Brazilian, I took it for a compliment, knowing they have beautiful bodies and skin...
Now I want to boycott everything Brazil...
ValdaDeDieu: This song is worse than racist, it is evil. I
Hey sisters, give yourself a break. Just because a song is written about a stnky girl, don't take it personally. Is your pain that bad that you can't tell what is real?
surfandshop: Hey sisters, give yourself a break. Just because a song
Of course it doesn't pertain to me! Or black women in general! That is why it is offensive. It doesn't need to be true for some racist to imagine it is and treat me as such... Or is there a world that you live in where this can not happen? Let me know. Otherwise, don't be such a nimrod, and instead, try to put yourself in my place.
ValdaDeDieu: Of course it doesn't pertain to me! Or black women
Brazil is great - you should go. Don't let ignorance in a song stop you from going. Especially to Salvador de Bahia, the "African State". Should people stop visiting New York or LA because rappers sing about hating dark skinned girls (lil wayne), b*tches (allof them), h*s, etc? The U.S is just as bad, musically. Brazil has problems, but alsomany great things. You're missing out if you never go.
arjiet: Brazil is great - you should go. Don't let ignorance
Oh NO, what happened to freedom of speech? The movie eddie murphy made about black hair was really good, ......get over it people! Is any song worth paying a million dollars for?
surfandshop: Oh NO, what happened to freedom of speech? The movie
I agree 100%. This is how Brazilian men treat their wives, in general. It is so shameful I just cannot believe it is now all over the world for people to see...It is shameful and hurtful not just for us Brazilian women. I would pay to delete this translation here...
This guy was elected believe it or not and now he is a member of the congress. It is beyond belief. He barely reads or write and was elected as a joke.. I am sorry it is published here.
Shimbika: I agree 100%. This is how Brazilian men treat their
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The Huffington Post Julee Wilson First Posted: 01/06/12 11:10 AM ET Updated: 01/06/12 01:03 PM ET