This Is The Story Of Black Hair
Author Emma Dabiri says the stigma around Afro-textured hair is a construct. Here's where the myth comes from.
What does our world tell us about, hair from fairy tales to advertisements, movies and music videos? Our icons are typically lusciously. Locked long flowing hair has been a powerful marker of being a woman, but that's not how afro-textured hair grows. Our hair generally grows upward and is tightly coiled like this and like this. So what does our world tell us about? Afro, hair black students at the prestigious pretoria high school for girls protested, a clause that banned wide cornrows, braids and dreadlocks. There'S an online petition demanding that beyonce and jay-z do something about their daughter, blue ivy's, hair. One commentator said: quote no child whose mom spends thousands on her hair monthly should live life. Looking like a sheep right now, school administrators say the girl's. Hair is a problem and it needs to be straightened or she'll get kicked out, but her mom doesn't understand how her hair looking like this is wrong. Mystic valley regional charter school says the two sophomore students, hair extensions, violates its dress code, so they're being disciplined with detention and are prohibited from taking part in extracurricular activities. Mainstream beauty doesn't have black women in mind. Instead, black women with afro hair are expected to conform to an aesthetic that values straight hair. That desire for straight hair is a construct that started during colonization. Let me explain from my earliest memories. My hair was presented as a problem that needed to be managed. The concept of leaving my hair, the way it grew from my head was crazy to me from weaves to extensions jerry, curls, curly, perms straight perms and straighteners. My hair was hidden, it was misunderstood, it was damaged, it was broken and it was completely unloved. That'S not surprising, i never saw anybody with hair like mine, afro-textured hair was, and in many places, is stigmatized to the point of taboo, but it wasn't always this way. In the mid-1400s alvis kadamosto made two trips to africa in his journal. He wrote this about the people in west africa. Both sexes go barefooted and have no coverings to their heads and weave and tie their hair, though short into neat tresses neat tresses cadamosto's accounts were positive partially because trans-atlantic enslavement didn't exist. Yet there was no imperative to dehumanize africans to european observers. There is no sense of african hair being ugly or inferior. We see a similar sentiment in europa proverbs and the mende describes beautiful hair with the word potongo, which means it is much abundant plentiful. In reference to hair, the root word, kopoto means long and thick what contributed to the major shift in black hair slavery during slavery, the hair of black people was compared to animals. It was claimed that the tightly coiled african hair was similar to the wool of an animal. That was a way to justify the inhumane exploitation of people during slavery. A hierarchy emerged where there was a status attached to having more european features. Those with these features, including, looser textured hair, while still denied access to basic human rights, sometimes had more opportunity. This is a pattern that was apparent from the context of slavery through emancipation and even up until the present day, slavery was abolished in 1865, but the stigma around black hair was not after slavery, chemical hair, straightening products for black people gained popularity. It was seen as one of the few avenues that could provide financial empowerment to black women at a time when those opportunities were practically non-existent. It was seen as a way to elevate their status, so they were marketed with an emphasis on beauty, personal success and the uplift of the entire race. It led people to believe that their black hair wasn't beautiful the way it was, but a century after the abolition of slavery, black hair and the afro reigned supreme. Again, the civil rights movement and the black power movement became a motivating force that disrupted european beauty standards. Some black american men and women began to move away from the relaxers and embrace the natural, coils and curls that grew from their heads. Don'T be ashamed of your heritage, don't be ashamed of your color, don't be ashamed of your hair. I am black and beautiful, and not the same. This era of empowerment was glorified everywhere from local streets to tv shows such as the jeffersons and our iconic figures such as michael jackson, fast forward to today, and while black hair is still not widely accepted, it is being celebrated at events like curlfest in tv commercials And it's even emerging on red, carpets and runways and then in 2018 black panther was released. The release of the movie was monumental. For many reasons. It was the first time a hollywood production created an on-screen world populated almost entirely by women with type 4 hair. I embraced my natural hair as well. When i was pregnant with my first baby, i decided to shave my hair and go natural. I knew that if i had a daughter, it was crucial. She did not grow up with the same warped concept of beauty that i did so i'll leave with this. We need to re-imagine the way we think about progress about modernity, about success, about development and about civilization. We need to think about the way we frame demands for inclusion and representation and seriously rethink the way we attribute or more often do not attribute value to indigenous knowledge systems. And, yes, we need to reject many of the beauty standards. We subscribe to those that privilege lighter skin, thinner, noses or good hair, one of the easiest ways to demonstrate our nascent freedom wear our natural hair. California is officially the first state to ban racial discrimination based on natural hairstyles. California became the first state to pass the crown act in 2019, aiming to ban race-based, hair discrimination and six other states followed suit. The natural hair movement is more than hair, it is a lifestyle. It is learning to be comfortable in the skin that you're in well. Hey there gma fans robin roberts here thanks for checking out our youtube channel lots of great stuff here so go on click. The subscribe button right over right over here to get more of awesome videos and content from gma every day anytime. We thank you for watching and we'll see you in the morning on gma
Comments
teirra catchings: It’s the fact that these white girls wear braids, but we literally got kicked out of school for wearing them..
Tam Mat: We get told we're "insecure" and "trying to be white" when we wear wigs and weaves, we get suspended from schools and fired from our jobs for wearing braids, and we get told that our afros are "unproffessional", "messy", and "nappy". It's almost as if we're not allowed to have hair.
Khadija Senghor: “Remove the kinks from your mind, not your hair” - Marcus Garvey
E. Deborah: As a Nigerian, this was so shocking when I moved to the States and heard students getting punished for their hair. I was like: Really?
Kris Jackson: Honestly people don’t understand the damage we’ve gotten over everything. Our lips. Our hair. Our bodies. Our hair. But now it’s socially acceptable and women are paying for our features.
L T: it's sickening that you have to have laws to stop discrimination about afro hair . ♀️
muna chi: I love this✊ I'm not African American, I'm African, and although I was natural my whole life I never appreciated my hair and it was really the African American natural hair movement that inspired me and taught me to embrace and care for my hair. That was monumental for me because I always used to beg my mother to let me relax my hair like hers. I know there is some friction between Africans and African Americans but I personally learnt a lot from African Americans and their incredible strength and resolve. I hope all black people everywhere love themselves.
Hidamis Olivo Felix: Kids are getting detention for wearing their hair naturally or in braids/protective styles??? That is absolutely disgusting
Elijah Clark 1916: We get insulted for wearing weaves by the same people who tells us that our natural hair is unattractive.
Queen عَraweela: Why are long braids and afro deemed "inappropriate"? What's inappropriate about it? Is it a danger to society? Are people going to die if they see those hairstyles? Does it carry guns and shoot at people? I seriously don't understand.
Noble: Imagine needing a law passed to be able to wear the hair that grows out of your hair to work.
Nicki Minaj: Majority of the girls in this video have the curls pattern that is accepted in society.
Rejesus: “It’s just hair” no the hell it’s not
Antonia Whyte: Just like they said that curvy bodies and big lips were disgusting...and now they are paying millions and risking their lives to get them.
Stephanie A: My high school told me i had to take out my braids within a week or else i’ll be excluded just because my braids were black to grey and they said that wasn’t natural. But they dont say shit when it comes to the white girls dying their entire hair pink or blue or orange and thats totally unfair
It's Jimins Non Existent Jams: Dear people: as an Asian from China who loves black culture they can’t keep straightening their hair, cutting it off, perming it, dying it, gelling it etc. to fit your standards. Not only does it damage their hair but keeps it away from the purpose of letting their hair grow. Black hair has culture and many knowledge behind it. Just because in YOUR mind straight hair is beautiful doenst mean everyone needs to have it. Thank u.
S Smith: It's amazing how they compared our hair to an animal. Meanwhile they are the ones who get lice.
Lorena Baez: This made me cry. If only I had embraced my natural hair in high school. But I’m embracing it now and that is what matters ❤️
sheri: Black girls everywhere, don't conform! You are beautiful and your hair is gorgeous just as it is
Lauren Sanday: Her: We need to reject beauty standards that only represent “those that privilege lighter skin, thinner noses, or ‘good hair’” Video editor: *montage of mostly women with lighter skin, thinner noses, and looser curls* Theres nothing wrong with having those features but I feel like whoever edited this video completely missed the point. Because they barely showed a variety of different hair types.
TheCarlScharnberg: I wish they would've shown more 4c hair, it doesn't get enough representation, and is just as beautiful as any other hair texture. <3
Yanique W: Imagine black little girls growing up and seeing zero representation on tv.. the one thing that is instilled into us as soon as we’re born
Khadija Senghor: I have 4C hair and am proud to say I have never straightened it, used a weave, dyed it or done anything to damage it. I never understood the concept of changing my hair to suit a society I am different from. From a young age, embraced it as my parents taught me. Love your curls, kinks, afros, dreads and all that jazz. Our hair defies gravity and grows to the sun like blossoms. Peace and love ✊
Keke Nicole: We need women with 4c hair that are unambiguously Black representing Black women on a wider scale.
SLVPOSH: As a black African woman, I’ve always embraced my blackness. I love my hair, my skin and my being. For those people who have problems with the way I look, I say F them. I’m always going to rock my natural 4C hair!
Ashley: I used to hate my hair so much growing up, I’ve grown to absolutely love it and there’s no better feeling
N. R. V.: I used to dislike everything about me, my big lips, my big nose, my wide hips and my kinky hair. Was made fun of, called monkey and all sorts of things and at one point I resented my blackness. Why wasn't I pretty like the girls on tv of in the magazine? Then my mom God bless her taught me to love myself and understand where I come from, we would watch roots together every weekend and I just felt proud because I knew everything that I used to hate was a testament of those who came before, I am strong because of them and thanks to their survival and their drive I am able to breath this air and walk freely. I am proud of who I am, of what I look like, I am still trying ti understand my hair but more than sn obligation is another step to loving myself. I am black, beautiful and proud! It took a while but it was a necessary journey.
Maria Armés: Black hair absolutely stunning, I don't understand how some people can't see that. The women are stunning with their braids, curly afros, I mean, they all look so beautiful!
Kahnica Cole: Our hair grows towards the sun like a flower
Tracie Kinser: This is great! It is so informative and explains so much behind the treatment of black women because of their hair. I don't understand how in 2021 this can still be such an issue with white people. Why does it bother so many people how black women choose to wear their hair? Let people be, and enjoy the differences around us! If you can't do that, then keep it to yourself!
Toyosi Ogundusi: I'm Yoruba and the Yoruba proverbs just gave me goosebumps. Our hair is our CROWN and our crown should never be hidden!
noisette82 kapo: That school thing, how long ago did that happen? Did I get it wrong or was African hair PROHIBITED?!?! This is f**ing unbelievable. I live in Europe and this is UNBELIEVABLE.
melissa Buhls: It so saddens me that this ever was, but most of all still is a so called “problem”!! I have always loved natural hair, and think it is beautiful, it should be celebrated!! Period!! ❤️
Dwede Doh: People truly don't understand the psychological damage that comes with consistantly being told/shown that you are not allowed to wear your hair the way that it grows out of your head.
Yuppy: And these not black girls and women wanna say “it’s just hair” who tf told you that?? You want to take everything from us but we can’t even wear it for ourselves
Gabstrology: This made me cry. All I could think about was growing up and being ashamed that my hair was always frizzy and difficult to manage. I hope this can educate others.
Monique In Real Life: I love that this was on t.v. I have 3 daughters who have never had relaxers or weaves and a son that sees the women in his home embrace their natural hair and defind our own beauty standards.
lil miss behave: it’s hairthis proves how petty these white people be like seriously kicking someone out bc of hair♀️♀️
Janice Sims: My hair has been fried, dyed and laid to the side in my efforts to fit in. But now I wear it in its natural state and I don't care who likes it, as long as I do!
Lirst Fast: As an Asian dude, I think I can relate. Although the struggles I go through may seem really different than those of black women, in a lot of way I think they're the analogous. Being someone who's considered to be in a less attractive group, it directly affects things like dating, but it even indirectly affects a lot of things, such as my work success.
Nia: I remember I was embarrassed of wearing my natural hair. And one day this white boy I guess noticed that I always change my hair every few months. He asked me how do I “change” my hair and that it’s pretty. It made me feel special but still insecure. One day he came to class while we had a substitute and he was ranting about my culture and the ubique styling, he even asked if I could wear my real hair one day and that it’ll make him happy. So one day I did and I felt so much better and comfortable with his satisfaction of it He was a really nice person!
Amanda Goins: All I gotta say is I’m black and I’m proud ♀️✊. I’m happy to rock my natural hair.
Slim Jim Longfoot: Pretty much the “if you don’t look white you’re not accepted” trope.
Giselle Springer: This world is sickening on so many levels.
Me Me: I'm african and in my school, girls are not allowed to keep their hairs. We have to shave them all. It wasn't like this in my old school ( a private school) there, i could keep my hair but i couldn't have braids. Even if we don't cut our hair, our mothers " relax " them to make them look smooth like white people's. I never liked to do that, i never wanted to cut my hair and i even cried when i learned that i had to cut them. My hair were already dry from all the toxic things we put in them but i still loved them. African people nowadays are really pitiful, we don't know how to take care of our own hair, we're always trying to look like other races when we are beautiful just how we are. I don't understand why i have to shave my head. I'm not in the military or smth. They say that it would distract us from work but i really don't see how. We were totally fine with our hair in my old school. The worst thing is that you can't even attend class if your hair is only two inches long. You can't forbide us to learn because of this shitty reason. Africa is surfering, we will never improve if we can't even love and accept ourselves. I'm not fluent in english so sorry if i made mistakes
kuhromi: Sad that they decide to play movies and TV shows like Roots, Enslaved, etc. and teach Slavery in schools instead of things like this, teaching us about Black Hair, Black Inventors, and learning about the different cultures.
MarieAnnMarie: This was really well presented. I’m glad it was on a platform for others to view. As someone who was teased for having an Afro before the natural hair movement I’ve had my problems growing up. I’ve had to fight the “unprofessional” stigma. I felt that if I had to chemically damage my hair to get a job done then everyone should too. Obviously no one liked that idea. I really do get sad sometimes from the hatred that is rooted in this world. How we could mess up so badly but I remember to good people & it gives me hope that hundreds of years from now when I’m long gone that one day we will get it right.
Akanksha Bele: I just now realize how I was and still am so privileged to have 'normal' hair or even lighter (still brown but lighter) skin. How much racism people have had to face for being black! I never knew that people could hate a person just because their hair were curly and coiled! I'm sorry for everyone who had to go through this! I love you and support you
Mukuni Mulundika: Literally shedding tears. Human beings are a failure.
Kelle Love: I remember praying every night to look like Ariel... if I knew my daughter was doing that it would break my heart! and my parents poured confidence into me!!! It goes to show how important it is for young black girls to see imagery that uplifts them and their NATURAL beauty!
KC kyra: as a black girl myself, I literally always say that my hair defies the laws of gravity. I always really liked how it kept me warm in the winter and kind of how it looks like a poodle, it's a form of beauty to me. it's really fun to play with and I always loved it. If I'm wearing braids, no one would mind since there were a lot of girls like me at school, though in middle school there were boys and girls who kept on calling me Medusa because of how my braids were all messy like snakes. they were black and/or mixed. Now I think that she's cool because people can't look into my eyes and see what power I hold on my head that I manage to shake out, fluff up, play hide-and-seek in, play in, twirl, and look in the mirror to say that I'm beautiful. :3
Regina Gordon: This breaks my heart so much how society singles us out when it comes to our hair. Our hair is beautiful it’s so versatile
Catrenia: I cut the “relaxer” out of my hair at age 40. After years of “fitting in”. I am now 49. It’s one of l the best decisions I have ever made. The Most High doesn’t make mistakes. I am fearfully and wonderfully made by Him (Psalms 139:14) AND that includes my hair.
deva190: Let me preface this by saying I'm Black and have worn my hair natural(afro) since the 70s. Being older, I remember a time when women wore braids(plaits) only around the house, certainly not to church or work. Only little girls worn plaits daily, no extensions. And the hair was washed regularly. I think the problem today is not so much being discriminated against based on hair texture, although that happens sometimes, but certain environments not accepting certain hairstyles. It's a style issue not a texture one. Example, a professional who wears plaits will be viewed differently from one wearing an afro. A white person who has multicolored hair will not fair well in a conservative accounting firm nor will a white man with hair down to his butt. Black women can expect not so much acceptance when wearing an elaborate braid hair style with loud clicking babbles and beads but an afro is now more acceptable than it was in the 50s.
anakena: I love this. I’m Hispanic with natural straight hair. During my childhood my hair was super straight. I didn’t hate my hair, but I didn’t like it, so at ten years old, I beg my mom for a perm. They had to do it twice in a period of two months, because the first perm lasted about a month. However, after puberty my hair completely changed, it become thicker and voluminous, not completely straight anymore. Not straight and not curly, just UGH ♀️. With humidity, it just takes a mind of its own. ,I guess what I’m trying to say is that we all struggle with hair. However, the pressure and stigma put on natural black hair is shameful and sad. I’m so happy to see black women embracing their natural look and the styles that better suit their natural texture. Doing perms and straightening our hair have caused great damage to our hair and self esteem. It might be good for the economy and for the hair beauty industry, but at a great personal cost.
Runsprints4life: I'm actually surprised I havent seen many racist comments. Usually white folks go ballistic the second they see the word black.
mdooms76: Even in the afro hair community curly hair is more acceptable and considered beautiful and "good hair" as opposed to 4C type kinky hair! Vanity...it's all vanity. We can't change what grows from our scalp. If a white person was told to change their natural hair to dreds or get braids to get a job...it would be unheard of. But it's ok to treat us that way????
Shell Craigmiles: Im from a white family and my sister and i grew up around black girls. We actually asked our mom to do our hair in braids with beads on the end like the girls we went to school with. Our braids didnt look as good of course but we liked them all the same
Chidozie not Henry: This video literally displays whats been on my mind lately. Idk why but all of a sudden the idea of my fellow african american sisters straightening their hair (even though they don't all believe they do it to look like whites, though I think it is subconscious) disgusts me. I get that people have freedom to do what they want with their hair, but I want to live in a world where us carrying our natural hair carries no stigmas.
the2017: As a mexican with curly hair. I spent so much time to tame my hair . Relax it, straightened it. Now in my late 30s in position of leadership I let my curls out. I had a big chop and embraced my curls, heal them. It's been journey but I want my daughter to know there is no shame on our curls. I cannot even imagine what our black community feels. I hope we support them in the journey to embrace their natural beautiful hair.
Fine Natural Hair ROCKS: This was absolutely amazing! I love to see Eurocentric media systems embrace Black culture. As an anti-Black human rights lawyer, I am impressed. Great job!!!!
Ruby Crosby: My mom always relaxed my hair. Saying how much she disliked it. I vowed never to make my children feel less than and embrace and love everything about themselves.
Sky m: As a white woman with huge curly, frizzy hair, I spent all of my teenage years straightening my hair for 2 hours a day to feel beautiful. I've never met a white woman with hair like mine. I felt so different. I'm in my 20s now... I don't straighten. But I still get self conscious. My heart hurts for all curly women who don't feel accepted. Thank you for this informative video.
jotaro kujo: I decided to wear my natural hair out for the first time.. without any product whatsoever. Best. Decision. Ever. ☺️
Mahogany Squeeze: When I stopped straightening my hair, my family said I was "going through something". I literally had a thought one day that why do I HAVE to relax my hair to be considered decent and acceptable. I decided that if my hair had to be straightened to be decent, then I guess I wouldn't be decent. I was ridiculed and mocked but I didn't turn back, mostly out of stubbornness. I'm glad younger black girls don't have to feel so isolated and that the movement for accepting the way God made our hair is growing.
penny proud: The fact that we have to argue with anyone about wearing our hair the way it naturally grows from our scalp or for our cultural hair styles is sickening.
Reinhardt: One of my friends used to work at Disney. They told her to remove the long braids because they were inappropriate. Yet a white man was able to keep his long locks.
Eme Lazarova: Not allowing curly hair and braids in school is complete bullshit.
Lainie Buff: Thank you for this. I've always been fascinated by different cultures, religions, etc. and love to learn about people who are different than I. I knew there was a difference between black hair and white hair when a black friend of mine was braiding my white hair and said it was "slippery" haha, so I knew there were textural differences, but I didn't know there was a difference in how it grew! So, thank you for educating me, and insofar as society expecting hair to be a certain way, I think a person should wear their hair however they want to wear it.
dudu tshela: As a young child my mum raised me with my natural hair however I remember sometime during my schooling i felt so much pressure to wear my hair like many of the girls did (relaxed). But then later on i went back and grew out my hair natural, i love it and am proud of it now. But being from South Africa ( im not sure if it may be like this in other countries) products to use on your natural hair are way too expensive while things like relaxer come very cheaply. It is very upset because this pushes a lot of people to relax their hair and it grow the thought that relaxed and treated hair is better than one’s natural hair. Which can be amazingly beautiful when given the chance☺️
Chrissy Chris: For so long, I relaxed my hair to be like everyone else and to look more European. Now in my 40s, I have ditched the relaxer, shaved my head and let my natural coils break through, I'm loving it. I hate that it took me this long to appreciate my heritage, my skin tone and my curves. I'm black, curvy and beautiful.
Nino Charmaine - The Serenading Company: I love this ❤. Well researched, beautifully narrated and filled with warmth. Natural hair wearing black girl here and I'm proud of it.
Tamera Herrod: Thank you for educating us on this important topic! I had no idea. We need to do so much better every day.
1Øx Wxsh ツ: Afro hair is so beautiful, my sisters have it and I love when their hair is puffy.
Viviane B: what a beautiful video! We really need this translated in many languages. I'd love to see it in Portuguese - Brazil. I grew up my entire life thinking that there was something wrong with me, with my hair. Only in my early 20s decided to defy the status quo of which I was taught and wear my natural hair. My mother is in her 60s and never once worn her natural hair. Can you believe it??? I struggle at times to feel good with my hair but it's so worth sharing this intelligent message! It helps a lot!
Illegally Blonde: I'm not even black, but that really moved me. I love my African American Brothers and Sisters<3
Ashanda At Large: Our hair is wooly, like a lamb and their's is straight, like a goat.
LA Slim: Love this. Need more of this encouragement for ourselves, our daughters and our sons.
AllThingsTrishy: They just mad because our hair is special and has volume and all their hair can do is be straight and we can do it alll✨
Sekaye Campbell: In my opinion, the creation of hair relaxer actually helped get black women into the workplace and grow their success. On the other hand, it helped perpetuate the idea that the hair that NATURALLY grows out of our heads is wrong and unprofessional
Mochahontas: No body’s knows what it’s like to be fearful to wear you real hair to work, not only because of it being viewed as inappropriate but the questions!!! “Can I touch your hair?” (Most don’t even ask they just do) “what did you do to it?” “How long is it?” “Why don’t you wear it more often?” “Oh I didn’t see you there, I thought you were somebody else!” Like I change my hair every month, you don’t know who I am by now?? WHY IS MY HAIR A POLITICAL STATEMENT??? I’m just living my life, relax!!!!!! EDIT: For everyone under the comments making excuses and missing the point on purpose, you wouldn’t walk up to a woman and ask are her breast real would you? You wouldn’t walk up to your boss and ask how much money he makes would you? NO! Because it is hella invasive and rude! So why do it to us? We are telling you stop with body language because if we say no then y’all cry victim! So now that you know better do better. And stop comparing children to adults, children also drink out of the same cups and bite off the same food. Do you think that’s okay too??
Emma Adkins: I remember my school used to have an event called crazy hair day. It was the only day that I would take out my braids and get to wear my natural hair. I was one of the few black students and I often won the “ best crazy” hair day prize. I was proud of my hair but also embarrassed and sad knowing that my natural hair was a mere joke to my classmates. Thinking back in it, it’s pretty messed up.
Angel: i spent a good amount of my childhood absolutely despising my 4c hair. i had a lot of it, too but i hated it. people would make fun of it, or mention it just to "other" me from everyone else. i wanted to wear weaves and wigs all the time, ones with either loose curls or straight hair. when i finally went natural in middle school, i didn't know how to wear it. i thought that wearing it in its natural state was "unkempt." i thought it order for it to be wearable, i either had to tie it up or straighten it. that damaged my hair, and ive spent the past 4 years growing it back out ever since and giving it the care it missed out on. i have it in cornrows, bantu knots or twists 90% of the time to keep it from breaking and the other 10% i wear my afro unapologetically. when i get protective styles my motive is no longer to make my hair look as straight as possible, i encompass all types of styles now, from faux locs to braids to twists. my hair is longer than its ever been now because its finally getting the love it deserves.
Alexandra G_1994: I think black woman have beautiful hair, it's a blessing. How dare anyone say otherwise. All beautiful woman with afro hair, i am envious of your gorgeous curls.
Yardley J: Great presentation. And even if you had a son, it would be vital for him to appreciate and love natural hair in women.
Bob From Marketing • 69 years ago: Its sad that they had to make a whole documentary on black peoples hair. We love out hair and I dont give af what other people think. Its a strange weird obsession phase this country is going through, people today want to talk, act, sing and dance like us but still dont like our hair or our skin color. Enough is enough already.
CC: I can't imagine how hard to take care of afro hair.. I have thick straight hair. And I already tired of washing my hair every two days
Bandler Ching: As a native woman, I know first-hand what it’s like growing up with very very little positive representation of “you” in media. Now, I am a mother raising sons, and it is important for them too. I want their exposure to women to be natural and real, not photoshopped and produced. We owe it to our children to teach them to love and respect themselves, and each other. ✊✊✊
bye bye: I am a black beautiful young girl, who was always insecure about my short hair. Now I don’t care. My hair can grow and it’s beautiful and curly!
25th&South: I wear my hair natural, but I think it's important not to hate on black women that chose to wear their hair however they want. Our body our choice.
Terry Hamz: I love this but I want it to be more known. The world needs to know
bawb1ez: I will always keep my hair at its natural state, I love it like this! It grows up like a crown! ♀️
exxiyya: This honestly made me cry. I wore my hair as fro as a kid. But got bullied for it. It was torn of my head and I got beat for it. I started to make my styles more european(since I live in an european country)I've found the courage today after 9 years to wear it in it's natural state.
Yishai Yah: Wonderful video sister. I myself had to come out of that destructive mindset that my woolly hair wasn't beautiful unless I had a perm or weave. I learned how to manage my tight coils so that my hair wouldn't break so often and keep growing. We are different and now to me a black women looks sooo much better with her natural wavy or coily or woolly hair. ♥️
flxmkr: The first time I saw a person with darker skin was when I was in kindergarten. Her assigned seating was next to me at the end of the table. She had puffs of twisted hair over her head that were tightly pulled together with bright colorful clear balls that were pretty against her dark hair (because of it, to this day I love seeing bright colors against a dark background). The ends of her hair were twisted together. I was mesmerized by her. I tried twisting my long stringy hair like hers and it just fell apart. “Maybe if your mama does it, it’ll stay”, she suggested. I told her that my mom would have to use rubber bands. Then he face lit up when she suggested, “Maybe if MY mama does it, it will stay!” She was delightful. I never understood why hair had to be straightened to be accepted. White people get perms because we hate how straight our hair is. Are any of us ever satisfied? I’ve come to believe that if you want something to be accepted, just do it until it’s accepted. Nothing that is considered unacceptable by the public is going to be accepted by everyone, once it’s accepted by most. That comes included with freedom of choice, and we all have opinions and feelings. I personally don’t accept change well, but I do get there after I’ve been given a chance to adjust. So maybe some things that aren’t accepted are just a matter of people having trouble getting used to it. If so, they’ll come around. I’ve always thought the tight curls were pretty. The schools that don’t allow it should be fined. There isn’t an excuse for that rule. But please don’t think everyone looks at the very tight curls as “sheep wool” or “unattractive”. I’d trade my straight hair texture for tight curls, any day.
Styles R: Thanks for sharing gm. The girl in the video did a great job with the break down. If you're a black girl and you're not obsessed with your hair you should be! Natural hair is beautiful and I'm so grateful for making the decision to go natural 6 years ago!
cafeaulait79: I find it offensive when someone tells me I should straighten my hair. I know they don’t mean to be offensive but it is. It is really difficult in the workplace to find a professional way to respond to a co-worker when they say this.
Tiff Troser: As a black women I understand my hair defies gravity!!!!✊✊✊✊✊❤❤❤❤❤
Achil Gulum: African hair is the most beautiful hair I’ve ever seen. I’m always amazed by their hair. I wish I had the same hair.
Taken Took: For everyone complaining of the interview subject’s lighter skin tone, or the hair texture and curl structure of the other women shown in the video, realize that this woman is being interviewed because she wrote a book on the subject: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emma_Dabiri And the “B roll” footage they use elsewhere on the video was probably chosen by a bunch of white dudes who edited the final video at the network. They might not have even asked her opinion about the other footage, and decided that any woman with tightly curled hair fit the bill. Because white dudes ♂️