Who was Madam?

“America doesn’t respect anything but money. What our people need is a few millionaires.” Madam C. J. Walker

“ What’s better than one black billionaire... 2” Jay-Z

Sara Breedlove known to the world as Madame C.J. Walker finally has a mini series inspired by her life on Netflix (Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J Walker). I have been obsessed with her rise to glory since I did a project on her in elementary school. To the world she is the first black female millionaire.She revolutionized the beauty industry creating her own lane in a white male dominated era.I couldn’t wait to watch this series. Unbeknownst to me this story shed some light on some of her life that were not included in the history books. The important thing to remember is the series is not a literal depiction but based on true events. The question remains who was Sara? Who was Madam? This series seems to be ruffling feathers all over the pace. The story is packed with treachery, lies, falls, and rises.

I learned many years ago she was the creator, originator of the hot comb, the growth formula and other products. It wasn’t until this series came out I learned some new things.

Let's get into how the original hair grow oil was not Madame’s own creation. I was baffled honestly, I knew that muva had created her empire from the ground up with her own recipes. The original creator of hair grow oil was created by Annie Malone but was named Addie Monroe on screen. Annie Malone was already an established business woman. She wasn’t quite the vindictive mulatto woman as depicted in the series. In fact, the creators did not use her real name...but why? She was her own success story; she invented several products, she was a philanthropist, and an expertise in Chemistry and hair care. This movie depicts her as the jealous villain and there have been few articles or books to support this story line. I have to think like a director/producer. It’s all about ratings, and what better way to get the people’s attention?

The story line of colorism and woman v. woman made quite an interesting narrative. Some historians argued that in fact Annie was not a fair skinned woman with fine textured hair. From photos we can also debate Madam’s skin tone. In the series the two started off as friends, then developed into a partnership. Eventually the two moved on with their individual ventures but crossed paths on occasion. Wouldn’t you know it, another on screen depiction of women being rivals instead of working together to lift the race.What's a story line without a villain? I will say I am a bit disturbed at the constant need to focus on colorism when it comes to hair. They were two dynamic business women within the same industry and deserved to be celebrated.

Behind every great man is a great woman, a great story, and great heartbreak.

After her 1st marriage failed Sara remarried to C.J. Walker. He was an ideal husband. He was supportive, generous, a contributor, and a vital part of the company's success. As Madam’s empire grew, you see the marriage start to deteriorate (of course with a light skinned woman)C.J. began an affair with one of Madam’s top sellers. Blair Underwood and his recurring role as the bad husband, we were rooting for you ! How dare you?!

As Madam started to dream big and expand, everything about the company had become her life’s focus. Marriage took a back seat which ultimately led to an ugly divorce. I wonder if there was such a thing as prenups back then?... I understood his struggles (I can’t believe it) and I felt for him to a certain degree. It was HER company, HER legacy, HER HER HER even though he was there every step of the way. Every time he tried to have input or create her advertisements, it was never right, or good enough.

The constant struggle in any relationship is balance, and separating business from personal.

I was pissed at C.J. for that awkward rabbit sex scene. He tried his best to use Madam’s name to create his own empire but it was a flop. When he tried to give her “some” hoping that would get her back, sis got hers and dipped on him leaving him and his new wife in the dust.

It seems that when everything's looking up the past comes back to haunt you. That little version of you who says” you can’t” or “you’re not god enough” is always hanging in the balance. Throughout the series Sara is confronted by her inner demons, the abused, low self esteem version of herself that constantly triggered her. The Walker girl on the bike, the ideal face of Walker Company, was a constant nuisance. As if her own insecurities weren’t enough of a distraction, a greedy conniving son in law was selling her secrets to her arch nemesis. Was it just me or were the men in this series extra naive? He got what was coming to him as well never found any information on the juke joint.

Although the adaptation of this story has some embellishments, we can’t ignore the powerful gems that we were left with. First and foremost she did it for the race, for the women, for the people who felt they couldn't grow up to be somebody. The message of creating a legacy with family at the forefront was most inspiring. It got me thinking what will be my legacy ? Who will finish the work I start? In spite of every turn Madam made sure to pursue her work with dignity, pride, and keeping in mind her humble beginnings. We can all criticize and dissect the series and how stories were fictional, but you can't deny the impeccable story and the long lasting impact of her career. It was Madam who made women feel beautiful, she believed when we look good feel good, the more opportunities would flourish.

In these trying times us as women understand the importance of self maintenance, self care, the beauty of our hair, our crown and glory. With this wave of preserving our natural hair it is important to remember the important work of our beauty industry professionals. To every woman/man that has ever cared for hair, styled a microwave ponytail, re twisted locs, gave a bald fade you are essential. As COVID-19 continues to keep the industry on freeze, I bet we have a profound new respect for our salons and barbershops. I hope we can recognize the value they are to our culture. Our hairstylists are our counselors, voice of reason, our safe havens. Nothing compares to getting out of the chair when you know your hair is looking right.

When we are able to patronize these businesses remember this time when our people need us most to re energize the industry. Remember Madam and how difficult it was for her to build a clientele in an industry who didn’t see the value of her work.

Don’t forget to tip your stylist without their talent and skills. Where would we be without our hair care professionals? I say this all in a head wrap awaiting the day to see my stylist again.