Beauty Without Borders

Since we have moved to Maine, Aaron and I get the Investigation Discovery channel in our Comcast line-up. I have never heard of the channel before now but I love it! (Check your local listing for it.)

Moving on, I flipped on the channel this morning to find The Beauty Academy of Kabul documentary directed by Liz Mermin. The documentary was shot in 2004 over a 10 week period. And before you even think it, no I am not kidding. I probably wouldn't have thought twice about a beauty school in Afghanistan if Aaron hadn't spent 16 months there. Now anytime I hear Afghanistan I perk up.

So, in my 20 minutes of watching (I turned it on at the end) and some research I did after, this is what I found out...

In 2001, an American named Mary MacMakin, was working with women in Kabul before she was arrested by the Taliban and kicked out of the country. While being photographed for a magazine article, she met stylist, Terri Grauel. Once the Taliban was ousted, Mary MacMakin went back to Kabul where Terri Grauel contacted her wanting to help. It was a suggestion from Mary MacMakin that brought about the first beauty school in Kabul.

At first I thought, it seemed odd. But once I thought about it, I thought 'why not?' These ladies are trying to do what they can to help. And who am I to judge them for helping people learn a trade. It doesn't seem so far off from what Americans want. Doesn't everyone want to be able to support their family and give them a good life?

Sixty percent of Afghan women are widows who have to support their families. And a huge number of these women are illiterate. 'Hairdressing is a skill that can be learned relatively quickly'. By teaching these women the skills they need, they will be able to open their own salon becoming self sufficient.

While reading up on this documentary, I read a statement that said 'Americans were horrified by the state of hairdressing in Kabul.' I am a bit bothered by this as I am sure most Americans don't even care about Afghanistan, let alone their hairdressing problems. But if helping an Afghan women learn to cut hairs helps keep the peace someday, I am all for it.

I read a review where the ladies were slammed for opening this school calling it 'misguided activism'. I disagree. It may seem like an odd way to help out but at least these Americans are doing what they can to help. And I am sure if we asked the reporter from the Seattle Times, Tom Keough who wrote the review, how many times he has been to Afghanistan to help, his answer would be zero.

I watched these ladies graduate the course and receive their certificates with giant smiles on their faces. Their families were in attendance as well as some of their countries diplomats and American soldiers. Once the celebration was over, they walked out the doors you could see men holding guns guarding the place from whoever might attack.

I feel that these Americans ladies gave these women hope, confidence and (some) peace. Hope that they can provide for their children and give them a better life. Confidence to know they don't have to rely on a man to make a living. And I think it is amazing that they can go into their salons everyday giving them a little peace from any violence in their world.

And the idea that seemed odd to me at first, I now think is pretty cool! What do you think about this?

Click here to read an article in The Villager about the documentary.