How Do We Embrace Our Natural Hair?
Throughout history, black men and women have often been told their natural afro hair is unkempt, excessive and unprofessional.
But things are starting to change. In 2019, California became the first US state to pass the Crown Act, a piece of legislation making race-based hair discrimination illegal.
But does society, and the black community itself, still have a hard time accepting natural hair?
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This is my culture. If i can't embrace how my hair grows from my scalp, how can i embrace myself i can embrace where i've come from, i'm not averse to relaxing my hair. I know it's obviously like a political subject and people like really against it, but a lot of my friends who work in like corporate companies. They can't wear their hair a certain way or they have to wear it, wear a weave or something because it's not seen as professional eurocentric beauty standards have historically deemed afro hair as unattractive and unprofessional, but does society and the black community itself still have a hard Time accepting natural hair, my name is serge, i'm a filmmaker from london, but i was born in the congo when i was younger. Some of my friends at school had their hair braided in cornrows, but i couldn't because, as my dad made clear, we don't do that in our culture, so it was strictly a level one or two trim with a skin fade. But these decisions are far from trivial to understand the significance of black hair. I began by exploring its roots in history. For centuries, black communities around the world have created hairstyles that are uniquely their own, but the slave trade changed everything. One of the methods that the slave masters used was to try to dehumanize the individuals that they were enslaving. One of those things was to categorize them the light of the skin the easier the hair was to manage in western terms, it's been at the root of a lot of discrimination after the abolition of slavery when people wanted to get into getting work, even as a Musician, they couldn't walk past without having to go through the pencil test. If, in a big musical hall at the entrance, they'll be told if you want to pass this pencil has to be put through your hair and if it falls to the ground, you can come in if it gets stuck, you can't come in so without saying. If you're black, you can't come in, they would say if it's in direct wales, then if you haven't, got european straight hair you're not coming in and while some struggles of black hair are based in history, others go back to our first experiences of black hair in Childhood - and why did you come into it i to get my son's hair done so what's it like having to do a black son's hair, it takes time it took me a while to learn, but just watching other people really you've got to support that fro. Haven'T you i hated getting my hair done, it was um. You see my baby pictures, everyone laughs at me and say: look chris what the hell was going on with your hair. I just you know, heard it. You know the shave will come into my my head and i just lost it. I just remember crying and crying my first ever memory of my hair was just sitting in between my sister's legs and like holding tight. While she came with my hair so tight, i don't remember my natural hair's young child. I realized that was the starting point for me, not viewing my hair as good hair. By the time i'm 17. I'Ve got a throw in, and i've got a comb in an afro walking around just trying to like a self-representation trying to find yourself. Minstrel shows in the 19th century mocked the hair texture of black people, comparing it to all and often describing it as nappy to be accepted in society and to achieve a higher social status. Some women began to straighten their hair. So what is it like to have your hair chemically relaxed, it's kind of like a form of self-degradation you're burning, your scalp to the point. You'Ve got scabs in your hair to make your hair straight to fit in with this western um concept of beauty. I think i was like 19 or something and like literally like most of my hair on, like my left and right temple had gone. I'D used like a relaxer that had literally like just burnt all the way through you have to get like retouches, and then your scalp starts to burn and you get like little saws. I was just starting out swimming and she was like it's probably the easiest way for me to look after it she'd relax. It then braid it so it lasts for, like six weeks, it's hard to ignore the pressures of like wanting to look good like day to day. Relaxers are made up of chemicals like sodium hydroxide that destroy kinks in the hair and leave a straightened. Look in the 1980s and 90s relaxers became the norm, and images of black women on television and magazines usually featured straight relaxed hair, but things are changing and many women are now embracing their natural locks thanks to a new wave of the natural hair movement. This is clarissa mcdonald, founder of curly by nature. She runs workshops encouraging women to embrace their natural hair just by the definition of relaxing the hair you're destroying the hair, so you're damaging the hair, so relaxed hair essentially is in a damaged state because the bones of the hair is broken down. I hate my natural hair, like i don't like people seeing me with my natural hair, like even my friends, i'll hide from them from like seeing me with my hair out, i always like to have like weave in or like extensions. My last partner will be like. Oh just take off your wig like it's it's comfortable, sleeping without wig, but because i didn't like myself, i wouldn't see me without a wig, so sometimes he'll be asleep or something and i'll run to the bathroom. Put my headscarf on and run back in bed. If i know he's about to wake up i'll, go back and put my wig on the whole natural hair journey, the natural hair movement actually emerged in the 1960s, when sporting afro became a symbol of black power, self-love and solidarity within the black community. This was a time when black people were still fighting for basic human rights like equal employment, voter rights and integrated public facilities. We all have choices, and you know you can wear your hair natural. You can have your hair in protective styles and decide to wear weaves and wigs. You can relax your hair if you so choose having natural hair isn't easier, but for me it's better. You know i've probably been guilty of times of saying. Ah i don't like weave. Why are these women wearing weave and they need to take the weave out when it comes to going natural? The next hurdle black people face is in the workplace. For years there have been too many cases of black employees and applicants denied employment or promotion because of the way they chose to wear their hair. So when i first started working at my company, i wore a wig for three years and when i decided to then sort of embrace my natural hair and just go to a work environment and and be natural, i was aware that i was making a political statement. I would not wear my hair out to work just because it's big, particularly if you're going to work, places that predominantly white um, then you do feel like you need to conform, and you need to look like everybody else that works there. You don't want anything that makes you stand out. You know your hair must be, you know, trimmed cut low and etc, but then i'm seeing colleagues of mine with long hair blonde or whatever it might be, and there's no mention of how they should keep their hair, and i feel, like i wouldn't be taking that Seriously, if i had blonde hair like this in office and i'm going into a meeting with, say a partner and a high net with clients, i a lot of us. Unfortunately, a lot of black women turn ourselves down in the corporate world. However, i get to a point where i feel like i don't have to historically advertisements reinforce the notion that natural afro features were inferior. It'S no wonder, then, that some of these negative perceptions still linger for me growing up. There were very few role models, so i think i struggled for a bit as a child and as a team, whenever i went to like a wedding or somewhere nice, i was straight on my hair. I thought straight. Hair was the the epitome of beauty, and i just thought to myself: why is it when i'm going somewhere nice? I feel that my own kinky hair isn't beautiful. It comes from media, it comes from films, we grew up with and like most of the women we look at growing up are white women. I think now it's starting to change a little bit. You see more kind of black women with their natural hair on magazines. You see them all on tv, even though you don't see, i don't think, there's like a complete representation, but what is being done to celebrate afro-hair in the media to find out i caught up with leckia lay the founder of project embrace project embrace is a platform That was established to challenge the narrow perception of what it means to be beautiful, especially to have beautiful, hair and generally in the media, especially in advertising. Black women are almost non-existent, and that's when i decided i would do a billboard campaign. Clear channel got back to me and said it's a worthy campaign, we're going to support you when they said they're, giving me um billboards in seven cities. I was besides myself. I wanted just one billboard in london and they're, giving me seven billboards wow by looking back at the struggles and pressures black people have faced throughout history. It'S clear to see why self hair love can be a journey here. I'Ll come to discover is as much about self-expression as it is about self-identity and cultural representation, no matter what we decide to do with our hair, the most important thing is to embrace it, because, ultimately, accepting your hair is sort of accepting yourself. We basically want every young black girl to feel confident. We identified that when we're not, we had. We struggled with identity, no matter how much we try to enhance what god's given us, naturally is always going to be better. We can't expect great things from our young people and teenagers if we are telling them they're, not good enough, we're all perfectly imperfect whatever it is, whether it's your weight, your complexion, your hair, you just got ta embrace it, and i'm saying this is you you can't Expect someone to love you? If you don't love yourself, and you have to know yourself to love yourself, you
Comments
Perfeccionista: Natural hair is easier!!!! Don't be fooled people. My husband has 4C hair and I have 4B hair we both wash and go. It's very quick. I am sick of hearing people saying that it's harder. It's not!
FeelinErie: Born a Natural, relaxed for a decade, new natural for 8 years, and in that time, loc'd for 2! I love my hair, and don't care if others don't. I wear it out with pride.
Robert J. Williamson: I saw a black woman with natural hair recently and nearly said to her that I thought it looked fantastic but I was afraid she'd be offended and so I kept quiet. Whenever I see black women in movies and some black artists from the 60 that had natural hair I've always admired it and I think it looks independent, strong and very sexy. I just wanted to add that this is an English documentary but it doesn't mention when they are not talking about the UK on civil rights. He says "in the 60s when black people were still fighting for basic rights like voter rights and integrated public facilities." A young black English person watching this might think black people could not vote in the UK or that we had segregation or Jim Crow type laws in the UK. I think it is very important not to mislead people about this. Also, as far as I am aware the 'pencil test,' was something used during apartheid in South Africa but again this gives this impression this is something that was done in the UK as they don't differentiate from one nation to another. I think it also matters because it is important to know when people did integrate in the UK, for example, Jamaicans used to be a big part of the music scene in Liverpool when The Beatles broke through and a Lord Woodbine a Jamaican musician travelled with the Beatles to Hamburg. They played together and The Beatles refused to play segregated clubs when they went to the USA as Liverpool wasn't like that. Watching this you'd get the impressing black Britains were on the outside and completely refused entrance to music clubs when they were massive part of the music culture from the start. People should understand racism and know about their history but they should understand the correct facts. This is a picture of the queue for the Cavern Club to see The Beatles in early 1965. http://www.beatlesauction.co.uk/2020/07/beatles-auction-2020-astrid-kirchherr.html
Talica Tinai: Afro style is the most attractive of all ladies hair styles.
Tânia Ferreira: Came to the comments expecting people would be informed after seeing the video. That didn't happen. "It's just hair; no one has a problem with kinky/coily hair". People choose to be ignorant.
Maud Jackson: My natural hair is my beauty
Ngawang Sherab: Please, embrace natural, all natural!
Kingdom Prepper: Go natural hair movement!
GlambyJackM: I've been told im innapropating culture because of my hair, i have naturally thick curly hair. And i dont want to have to cut it or damage it by straighten it. I completely understand why this is a problem but my hair is naturally curly so there's nothing i can do about it
trespire: Never really thought about it too much, but after realizing the historical context and consequent cultural norms in particular the business environment, I found myself "guilty" of some of the same opinions. I even commented joking once to an American work colleague about his new hare style, not realizing in my ignorance it was a touchy issue. I did heart his feelings yet I never apologized to him at the time, not realizing my mistake. So to Collin at Anorad Inc. , I am sorry mate for hurting your feelings in my ignorance, I took too many liberties and spoke too freely and jokingly without realizing hair styling of of Afro-Americans is a touchy issue. PS Chemically burning your scalp to "relax" the hair follicles is a no no.
Queen Quet: I love my natural hair!❤
E J: I have a personal problem with afro hair, because I'm bald.
Tiberius Moon: I love Long cornrows, its like a fine piece of artistry. I can only imagine how long it took to do. xD
Joy: I’ve started relaxing my own hair and it’s the best choice for me but yeah everyone has a choice for their hair
Lamour Strong: Absolutely not, I like black hair... only recently discovered this was an issue, rather strange for me, where I've always considered hair to be natural and yes I'm white. I think everyone should be able to be themselves, be natural and comfortable in their skin.
Sandra Brown-Springer: Excellent piece. I really enjoyed it
Isabelle De Jong: I'm Black and I love my Natural Hair....i live in a white country where 99% people are white but still i have adjusted my self. Love from Germany!!
SELF-CARE MODEL ATL: This was so good ❤️
The Vent: Dang it’s 2020... still? There’s other stuff to worry about and hair is still an issue I hope one day it can come together because it grows out of our head this way not our control. Wtf ♀️ so unfair
freemindsloveforever: Yes its a newsworthy point to discuss limited opportunities based on hair and race bias. Stop gas lighting to pretend its not a worthy campaign. Its one segment in a news programme not a 5 hour documentary so why this endless back chat about why its a topic worth highlighting?
Ed Accura: #BCStheCONVO Let’s continue to have these conversations which previously were uncomfortable to have❤️
AYOLOVE PHACOLD: Do we even have to ask this question? "How do we embrace our natural hair?" Isn't it odd? Does anybody ask "How do we embrace our nails?" If, in 21st century, some black people have problem accepting their own hair growing out of their own heads as GOD made it, then they have a big problem.
Grace Osas: The amount of people who didn't understand the video
Suzie M: Black people who oppose BLM often get their afros criticised.
alpacas lovelovely: The dislikes who hurt yall???? ♀️ Anyways great video
LF: Natural all the way
clock watch: Don't know any racial group who has never dabbled with enhanced hair, be it hair dyes, perms, relaxing, extensions etc. Its human nature to experiment with style.
Teema Darif: Trip part is ...white women use dangerous chemicals to achieve certain styles and textures also . We think this just pertains to us ...not at all. Curly afro hair has just been made " the focus" as it keeps the focus off of what women of other groups feel about themselves . Sure I had some insecurities when I was younger but since then I have dug deep to discover many other surrounding factors . People will hide their downfalls and mishaps behind someone else's plight just to feel better. Put no one above yourself as a human being
BALKAN HAJDUK: Yes we do. It blocks the view and is imposing
Louca Doida: It’s all good to wear our natural hair ,but the products in the market for our 4c it’s just not good enough my hair is still painful, believe when I say , I tried Cantu, Design essential, Shear moisture,Mizani and so on and nothing ,my hair is still dry and painful to comb and brush. As I write I’m totally frustrated at 40 years I’m still going through the same pain I felt when my mom used to do my hair, embrace our hair is good said but how about we come up we products that work for our hair ,not these temporary products that moisture for a few minutes and then the hair becomes dull and painful
Marcus: Black Hair Matters
Matthew Smith: I have no problem with Afro hair, or any hair. Slow news day ?
Mari M: Unapologetically natural!
Seguro Sincero: Nope. I love it. Natural all the way baby.
*John Nada*: Sky News staff were debating off air saying they hate black peoples hair, some disagreed, so now we will see the debate.
Filicon: I have a problem with not having afro hair... dreads never look right.
Gaffer Gafferko: This will be interesting
Paul Ecosse: Bizarre question. Not entirely surprising. But still, bizarre.
B: What..the...? Is this actually a thing? I've never met anyone with an issue with afro....
miss diaspora levy: I just came to see those who don't have our hair and trash pandas hash out that this too is a fallacy.....
Mylo Archer: This constant looking back and analysing differences in appearances is pointless and counterproductive. It it only serves to remind of forgotten divides. Who cares how someone styles their hair or what shape or colour the hair follicles are. It's as revelation as someone foot size.. Ridiculous this is topic for news.
Mr. TM: We all have curly hair. We all have red blood. We are all related.
Sophie K Davis: So glad Sky have highlighted this issue
Seb Fetea: Why do sky news have to do this, literally no-one has a problem with afro
Nigel Moth: No i like afro hair ...it reminds me of the 1970s kool
Tony Jove: No. Unless people start bullshit saying that one race or another can't have a particular hairstyle because it is offensive some how such as Asian or white people having dreads etc (which is pathetic and by definition racist) why on earth would anyone have an issue with a hairstyle
Marty the H: SKY NEWS IS NOT INA POSITION TO DEAL WITH SUCH ISSUES - LEAVE IT TO NEWS CHANNELS SUCH AS RT WHO AFFORD PEOPLE THEIR HUMANITY AND OFFER UP PROPER STRUCTURE, RESEARCH, DEBATE AND MOST IMPORTANTLY FOCUS ON THE HISTORICAL TRUTH ABOUT SUCH ISSUES.
Sid Snot: Sky is obsessed with critical race theory. The sooner gb news launches the better. I only watch the financial news on sky.
lucky munyoro: Seeing the lady with a weave talking about loving her natural hair....am like wat the f...then I stopped watching
Martin: If I were black I would never wear extensions or wigs to look like I have European hair. I would be proud to have my own hair.
Josh shriff: 1:55 this makes no sense. Many white people have curly hair or even hair thick enough for a pencil to get stuck hahah
R.I.P: It's pubic hair I have a problem with
Dennis: I came here to down vote and read comments.
Stefstef Christophe: Funny how both the black women in the video are talking about embracing natural hair yet are wearing eurocentric weave
L O: To be fair the blonde wig colour isn't natural, only the singer/rapper Eve rocked the look. If a white person in the corporate world turned up with green hair I'm sure they would get looks!
Stephen Arling: As long as it is CLEAN, and does not present a physical hazard, there should be no problem with any hair style. It is easier to style hair than to style a bald skull.
Jemuzuheddo: I've never met a single person who has a problem
JVONROCK: Be nice to me, I'm having a bad Hair Day !
Nicole Harding: In South Africa a whole brand was recently cancelled for advertising black hair as dry and frizzy. This was deemed racist and some stores that stocked the produced were petrol bombed.There are bigger problems than hair right now. If that's even a problem at all.
Wholesaler Gal: GOD'S WORD® Translation God is not like people. He tells no lies. He is not like humans. He doesn't change his mind. When he says something, he does it. When he makes a promise, he keeps it. Numbers 23:19
SenseiPrxd: Wha- so many ppl told me they wanna have afro hair and always want to touch my hair soo I don't think this vid was needed
Flash Chrome: Whose we??
Fleur Bandito: Is this still a news channel?
Jaws: Its called Afro hair not black hair
Kalan: who is the girl at 0:34 ?
Billy Blue:
SnarlaRae: Who xactly is WE?
The Batman: Human microphone
Alastair Pearce: what?!! is this the new bbc news. im pretty darn sure the average person goes to a afro person and says some sort of negative comment.
Lady Naja: I love all different hair styles and colours. I love black hair - I wear mine in braids sometimes because I think it’s beautiful!
nutshell: racism...
Christ On A Mtb: I never thought about black peoples hair.. I've been educated.
Bob Carolgees: Do we have a problem with afro hair? - No. I've literally never seen or heard anything to suggest that anyone has ever had a problem with afro hair. What a weird question. Is this supposed to be a news channel????!!!!???
Thiccums: I dont even remember subscribing to this. ..tf
Kate Smith: No of my black female mates struggle one iota with confidence this is pathetic
234SuperSimi: Yeah.
KingScotto: Why is this on Sky news
Bush Master: What’s their problem with it?
The Whole Truth: LOL? In Answer to Your Question... No... No One Cares!
Saint Jimmy: Really tiresome there, what a load of it. What about Australia, new new guinea, and indonesia. None of these places had this ever. Whoever looked this over is only making this stuff for a very narrow set of people. Not for east Asia or Oceana.
ıllıllıEMıllıllı: Mr Thompson loool
Lloyd Watson: Erm...No!
Dez Rootz: Oh oh Sky News about to push more BS.
BIG HAIR PRO: I don't.
Inqu'aanate: Its only hair.
cheddar cheese is good: WHY? Who cares about afro hair
Mister Superfly: Wtf sky not one person said this...
Bob Woodward: No one cares about curly hair. Find some actual news to cover.
Neville Craig: .
Dave Woodham: Who cares
Don: Wtf is this?
Ximena Zea: I’m tired of this propaganda. First, focus on the real problems that they have as community. Their vulgarity, behavior and actions against others are why people don’t like them. The issue here is not their skin or hair. So stop!
Harry Boi: Maybe this was an issue 50 years ago, but not now. I’ve never heard of anyone with a problem with afro’s. Stop pretending this is a current problem.
J R: Omg stop crying over the past
sam sloan: No one cares
BALKAN HAJDUK: This is stupid. European people also have afro or curly hair
Karl 444: Yeah it stinks, stick to the fades
KingScotto: Black Hair Matters
Tim Hepworth: Surely we have better things to be worried about other than peoples insecurity of having a curly haircut...
Jean Horrocks: Because it looks a frizzy mess.