Afro/Latino Issue 158

Afro/Latino www.afrolatinomag.com












Brazilian Blowout Considered Dangerous by: FDA

Brazilian Blowouts have been all

the rage in salons nationwide. The

intense smoothing treatment

promises to improve the health of

the hair by coating the cuticle in

protein, which eliminates frizz and

leaves our tresses luxuriously

shiny. On their website, the com-

pany boasts several factors that

supposedly set them apart from the rest: the products are

non-damaging and contain no harsh chemicals, the treatment

is quick and can be completed in just 90minutes, results are

immediate and last for up to 12 weeks, and they claim that

all products are Formaldehyde-Free.

Well, recent studies done by Oregon’s Occupational Safety

& Health Administration have found that last claim to be un-

true. After the FDA received complaints of adverse health

effects caused during application of the Brazilian Blowout,

chemists decided to test the products in the lab. Keep in

mind, precautions are supposed to be taken when hair prod-

ucts contain even .1% Formaldehyde. The two samples taken

from different salons in Oregon found that the smoothing

solution did, in fact, contain about 8-10% of the carcinogen.

These findings are only the beginning, and more tests are

being done to confirm the safety of the Brazilian Blowout.

But for now, the effects seem to be most harmful for stylists

who are at danger of being exposed to the cancer-causing

chemicals so frequently throughout the day. There have

been complaints of eye irritation, difficulty breathing, head-

aches, and even nose bleeds. Yet and still, the hair company

continues to defend the quality of their products; their argu-

ment is that since the samples weren’t taken directly from

the manufacturer, the findings cannot be deemed reliable or

valid. We’ll keep you posted.

How to Repair Hairline Breakage

Whether you're a celebrity who consistently wears weaves or a girl who likes

to get her hair did on the regular, at some point in time you've probably dealt

with hairline breakage. It happens to the best of us, just ask . Before you can

treat hair breakage properly, you have to get to the root of the problem (no

pun intended). There are a variety of causes of hair breakage ranging from

harsh chemicals from perms and relaxers; permanent hair color; pressure or

pulling from braids and weaves, wigs and medical conditions like Alopecia and

Lupus.

If you've linked your hairline breakage to chemical damage, you'll want to stop

using any potentially harmful products in your hair for at least two to three

months.

If your thinning edges are the result of braids, weaves or wigs, try to avoid

having your hair braided too close to your hairline. Your hairline is consid-

ered the weakest part of your hair and it isn't really equip to handle ex-

cessive strain or pull.

If you want your hair to grow back quickly try using Magical Gro by Afri-

can Pride ($5.99,

Also, deep condition your hair once a week with either Mizani Kerafuse

Protein Treatment ($21.56,

or Motions CPR ($5.99, ). If you're still unsure what is causing your break-

age, consult your doctor or stylist.

Fortunately there are tons of products on the market to conceal your breaking hairline ranging from spray on hair colors, to hair dyes and

cover-sticks. If you want to save some money, use mascara to lightly fill in

the thinning area. If you choose a color that closely matches your hair,

people will be less likely to notice. Try to be creative by wearing your hair

in styles that hide your breakage. And remember, your hair will grow back!

You just have to be patient.

Whether you're a celebrity who consistently wears

weaves or a girl who likes to get her hair did on the

regular, at some point in time you've probably dealt

with hairline breakage. It happens to the best of us,

just ask . Naomi Cambell Before you can treat hair

breakage properly, you have to get to the root of

the problem (no pun intended). There are a variety

of causes of hair breakage ranging from harsh chemi-

cals from perms and relaxers; permanent hair color; pressure or pulling from

braids and weaves, wigs and medical conditions like Alopecia and Lupus.

If you've linked your hairline breakage to chemical damage, you'll want to stop

using any potentially harmful products in your hair for at least two to three

months.

It may be difficult to live without a relaxer for an extended period, but in the

meantime try Razac Perfect for Perms Finishing Creme ($6.99, New York.com

to keep your hair looking straight and shiny. You might also want to try sleep-

ing on a silk pillowcase to reduce breakage caused by rough fabrics that pull at

your hair while you sleep.


As I conducted my morning routine this

morning, I stumbled across a column by

Don Spatz of the Reading Eagle titled "Who

Wants to be Reading's Next Mayor".

As I started to read this column, it became

very evident to me that many are

aspiring to be known as the next Mayor of

the City of Reading. One must ask the

question, why would someone want to be

Mayor of the City of Reading at this

time? For some, it may be a question of

fulfilling their ego's, for others it

may be a popularity contest; however, I

could only speak that if I do decide to

be elected by the people of Reading to serve

as the Mayor, I would be doing it

for all the following reasons: I believe that

Reading's financial condition can

be solvable under the Mayor's authority. I

believe that as Mayor I would not

eliminate nor reduce police and fire. I

would be in a position to create jobs

for the 1,000's of unemployed that are cur-

rently in the City of Reading. My

agenda is your agenda, one that would be

inclusive and would bring forth a set

of action items that can be executed imme-

diately. The above mentioned requires

some logical decisions and at this time any-

one that makes a decision based on

logic or not emotions or popularity would

understand that this City is currently

If I were to decide to run and serve the

people

of Greater Reading it would be for a posi-

tion that will enable me to serve as a

very strong voice and advocate in Harris-

burg. My main priority at this time is

my family and the development of the First

Charter School in Berks County. Many of

you have often heard me say that the true

change agent of this community is

Education but until we don't have a much

more formal educated community, Read-

ing will continue to elect people into office

that are driven by pure popularity and

egos. Let me be clear and back to the

According to Don

Spatz, it was men-

tioned that Council-

men

Francis Acosta

claims that I am sup-

porting him. This is

not the truth! Until I

have read and fully

understand the plat-

forms of all of these Mayoral candidates

and perhaps even my own, it is then that

I will make my decision and just for

the record, candidates will make their

decisions to run or not to run in

February. Campaigning for me does not

start during political season. I have

been campaigning since 2002 and my

campaign has been to uplift the City of

Reading and to make Reading a place

where we are proud to call it home, a

place

where our children can play in a safe en-

vironment, and a City that can set a

national tone as a combat City. I am opti-

mistic that Councilmen Acosta will

retract his statement because I want to

believe that he wants to start off his

campaign with the truth.

Angel Figueroa

Setting the Record Straight….by Angel Figueroa Doctor Says Four

Loko is Dangerous

article, I am not and will not support any

candidate based on race or ethnicity or

because they are being driven by a

puppet master. When I decide to support

a viable candidate it will be someone

that can make logical decisions that will

speak the truth to our current State

and who is driven based on the very

same principles and passion that I have

for the City of Reading.





African Americans are

about 30% more likely to

die of all cancers com-

bined than white Ameri-

cans.

Invasive cervical cancer

occurs in Hispanic/Latino

women twice as often as

non-Hispanic white

women.

A new study suggests

Puerto Rican women are

50% more likely to receive

substandard care for

breast cancer.

In one county in West

Virginia breast cancer is

less common than the na-

tional average, yet breast

cancer deaths in that

county are more than 79%

higher than the US rate.

The problems are well docu-

mented and many of the

causes are clear as well: peo-

ple do not know about, can-

not afford, or don't have ac-

cess to cancer screening tests

and the best treatments.

“Despite significant progress

in the prevention, detection,

and treatment of cancer, to-

day’s health advances have

not benefited all Americans

equally,” explained Harold P.

Freeman, MD, head of the

National Cancer Institute's

Center to Reduce Cancer

Health Disparities and past

national president for the

American Cancer Society.

"In the last five years

public health workers

have tried to involve

the African-American

community, churches,

and to use word of

mouth in order to

bring more African

Americans in for can-

cer screening."

Unfortunately, the im-

provements seen for

African American men

are only a small part of

the picture. In general,

African Americans are

still more likely to de-

velop and die of cancer

than any other racial

or ethnic group. Gha-

foor and colleagues

trace much or all of

these differences to a

lack of awareness, re-

duced access to medi-

cal care, inferior medi-

cal treatment, or dis-

covering cancer at a

later stage, when

treatments are less

successful. "For almost

every cancer we talk

about, higher death

rates in African

Americans come down

to unequal cancer

treatment," said Gha-

foor.

Can These Rates Be Lowered?

Asian American and His-

panic/Latino people are gener-

ally less likely to develop can-

cer than black or white Ameri-

cans. But the life-saving pro-

gress made against cancer does

not reach far into these com-

munities either. Many people

have poor access to the tests

that find cancer early, have no

health insurance, or no regular

health care provider. This

same recipe of neglect has led

to the high number of cancer

deaths among African Ameri-

cans.

As immigrants and their chil-

dren adapt to American ways,

our diet and lifestyle behaviors

may increase the risk for can-

cer. Experts say about one

third of all cancer deaths can

be prevented by not using to-

bacco. Another one third could

be prevented with a good diet,

enough physical activity, and

maintaining a healthy weight.

Yet in our fast-food nation,

overweight and obesity have

reached epidemic levels--

causing a wide range of serious,

chronic illnesses.

The latest counts show 64% of

all adults are either overweight

or obese. For African Ameri-

cans the numbers are even

higher. Among black women

77% are either overweight or

obese. Looking only at clinical

obesity, 50% of all black women

are now obese according to

health guidelines.

The African-American

Experience

African-American can-

cer rates are the focus

of intense study be-

cause overall they are

dramatically higher

than for any other ra-

cial or ethnic group in

the US. In some cases,

they are finally begin-

ning to inch down.

In the last 10 years,

death rates for all can-

cers combined have

been dropping slowly

but steadily for African

American men. Asma

Ghafoor, PhD and col-

leagues reported the

in the Novem-

ber/December 2002

issue of CA: A Cancer

Journal for Clinicians.

Ghafoor, an epidemi-

ologist at the Ameri-

can Cancer Society,

suggests better aware-

ness and more wide-

spread cancer screen-

ing may be helping

bring down mortality

rates.

"In the last five years

public health workers

have tried to involve

the African-American

community, churches,

and to use word of

mouth in order to

bring more African

Americans in for can-

cer screening."

As the 17th annual National Minority Cancer Awareness Week unfolds Nov 20-26, the high toll cancer takes on racial

and ethnic minority groups and medically underserved

Americans is crystal clear. Research shows:


7 Things Couples Shouldn't Do

1. Dress Alike

Complementary colors are one

thing; coordinated ensembles are

another. Step in to the current

fashion era and suppress any linger-

ing Ashford & Simpson inclinations

to bust out with the his and hers

matching outfits. It's a real head-

shaker. And before you think it, the

local summer soul festival at the

stadium, park or county fairgrounds

is not an exception. Although the

music may take us back, the event

isn't a magical 1980s time warp that

absolves you and boo of your tre-

mendous lapse in judgment. Bot-

tom line: match wits, not outfits.

Style over solidarity. Got it? Good.

Let's proceed

2. Become Too Accepting

Staying with fashion for a moment.

Acceptance, generally speaking, is

an important factor in the equation

of successful relationships. But even

acceptance, in the most loving rela-

tionship, should be bestowed with

moderation, especially when it

comes to choices of attire. It's

knowing when and how to tell your

significant other that he or she

needs to stop dressing like a hot

mess. A few years removed from

the single life and people begin to

lose their bearings. Remember the

four Cs: color, cut, contour and

counter-balance. Don't let marriage

or long-term relationships hijack

the sexy. All parties involved

should look like they give a damn.

Next.

3. Have Conversations With

Each Other On Facebook and

Twitter This has to stop. Though they

may not come out and tell you,

trust me, your friends cringe each

time they see you and your sig-

nificant other chatting it up in

their live feed. It's possibly the

most annoying thing since Ri-

hanna's voice hit the scene like a

wounded mongoose darting

across traffic. Look, I understand

that the social networking land-

scape is fertile ground for grade-school behavior, but this is as bad

as couples sitting on the same

side of the table. Speaking of

4. Sit on the Same Side of the

Table, Leaving the Other Side

Empty

Seriously, what is this -- a panel dis-

cussion? Does the hostess need to

send a waiter or a moderator over to

the table? Yeah, I got a problem with

it. So you fell in love seemingly three

hours ago and now you're suffering

from a pseudo-sense of separation

anxiety? Get over it. And by "it" I

mean the table. One of you get your

ass over to the other side of the ta-

ble and behave like other well-

adjusted couples who need cocktails

and cynicism to enjoy the compan-

ionship of their significant others.

And while we're on restaurants,

5. Allow Restaurant Wait Staff

to Sing Happy Birthday

Couples should celebrate birthdays

with a touch of class. This means

sparing your significant other and

fellow patrons the insufferable sight

and sound of the wait staff parading

to the table boisterously singing

happy birthday, while obnoxiously

slamming their serving trays together,

only to have them roll their eyes as

they sheepishly walk away. Nobody

in the restaurant wants this with the

invariable exception of

6. Move Into a Lily White Neighbor-

hood and Admonish Your Child for

Dating Outside "the Race"

What type of off-brand illogical sense does

this make? I know this couple. In fact, I know

this couple several times over. Real talk --

that's a hell of a paradox to put your children

in. Let me see if I have this right. The

neighborhood and school is 97 percent

white, 1.5 percent multiracial, 1 percent His-

panic and Asian, and .05 percent black. Kids

are scratching their heads dazed and con-

fused by the conflicting messages sent by

their parents. And how could they not be?

Their parents, by day, are post-civil rights

corporate execs sporting khakis on casual

Fridays, while making small talk with Bob and

Jan at the water cooler, only to come home

and turn into quasi-militants when the sun

goes down. This is some serious dirty laun-

dry that needs fumigating. You can't bake

pumpkin pie and expect it to taste like sweet

potato pie when you take it out of the oven.

If you want to expose your children to black

that one random group of diners at an adja-

cent table who stop stuffing their faces with

chicken tenders and loaded potato skins just

long enough to sing along. For birthday din-

ners, try restaurants that don't feature pho-

tos of the food on the menu. Thank me later.

On to the next one.

7. Listen to What Others Say About

Your Brand of Love

Not enough people open their minds before

they open their mouths when they encoun-

ter a love that is unconventional or unfamiliar

to them. It's a knee-jerk reaction -- no differ-

ent than when people habitually sprinkle

douse their food with salt and pepper with-

out tasting it first. So if you've found love –

regardless of race, gender or arrangement --

ignore the hateful hecklers and enjoy your

happiness.

Mason Jamal


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Afro/Latino Magazine as a part of the community we are obligated to inform, encourage, motivate, Afro/Latino Magazine as a part of the community we are obligated to inform, encourage, motivate, Afro/Latino Magazine as a part of the community we are obligated to inform, encourage, motivate, empower and educate our citizens on the facts and deempower and educate our citizens on the facts and deempower and educate our citizens on the facts and de---myth any and all misleading, negative, untrue myth any and all misleading, negative, untrue myth any and all misleading, negative, untrue

and fraudulent information floating in our neighborhoods that are meant to disenfranchise our and fraudulent information floating in our neighborhoods that are meant to disenfranchise our and fraudulent information floating in our neighborhoods that are meant to disenfranchise our people.. people.. people..

NO PART OF AFRO/LATINO Magazine may be reproduced without the express written permission from

the Publisher. AFRO/LATINO Magazine is a Registered Trade Mark. Thank you. Earl Lucas

To Help Call Mike & Joe’s Barbershop 610-374-2055

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Afro/Latino Issue 158