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For centuries young black women have been using chemicals and tools like hot combs to straightening their hair. We have been doing this to ourselves for decades, hurting ourselves just to fit in a colonial society. If not, black women would be scorned and frowned upon. Although the natural hair movement is more acceptable than before, it is still an ongoing battle for black women in the home, amongst society or even in the workplace.

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For centuries young black women have been using chemicals and tools like hot combs to straightening their hair. We have been doing this to ourselves for decades, hurting ourselves just to fit in a colonial society. If not, black women would be scorned and frowned upon. Although the natural hair movement is more acceptable than before, it is still an ongoing battle for black women in the home, amongst society or even in the workplace.

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Some might wonder what is the significance of black hair. I mean its only hair.  Not so?

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Some might wonder what is the significance of black hair. I mean its only hair.  Not so?

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Here’s a bit of history to remind us why our hair is significant. Europeans who first came into contact with the African natives in the 15th century were astounded by the complexity of style, texture and adornment of black hair. Slave trade began in the 16th century when Africans were captured, bought, sold and then transported to other parts of the new world in the bowels of ships. Same as chattel slavery.

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Here’s a bit of history to remind us why our hair is significant. Europeans who first came into contact with the African natives in the 15th century were astounded by the complexity of style, texture and adornment of black hair. Slave trade began in the 16th century when Africans were captured, bought, sold and then transported to other parts of the new world in the bowels of ships. Same as chattel slavery.

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The hair of these captives was eventually shaved off by slave masters with the intention of erasing their cultural identity. Unable to take care of their own ingrown hair, the hair of the slaves became matted and tangled. African hair was considered deplorable by the Europeans.   

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The hair of these captives was eventually shaved off by slave masters with the intention of erasing their cultural identity. Unable to take care of their own ingrown hair, the hair of the slaves became matted and tangled. African hair was considered deplorable by the Europeans.   

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This conditioned black people to feel inferior and made it easy for them to be controlled. This pathology was passed down to their sons and daughters and future generations.Imagine if this continued without us taking a stance. The ripple effect of this can be that we would always prefer European partners and then maybe we continue to reproduce with Europeans from generations to generations and eventually Africans would be close to being extent on the earth.   

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This conditioned black people to feel inferior and made it easy for them to be controlled. This pathology was passed down to their sons and daughters and future generations.Imagine if this continued without us taking a stance. The ripple effect of this can be that we would always prefer European partners and then maybe we continue to reproduce with Europeans from generations to generations and eventually Africans would be close to being extent on the earth.   

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Men who worked on the field shaved their head. Women were also expected to cover their hair with rough, coarse fabric because Europeans considered it unattractive and offensive. House slaves had to wear wigs similar to their slave owner’s hair – they also adorned wigs during this period. Black women with kinky hair had to work in the fields. Yet, those with looser curls which had a more Caucasian – like hair texture were made to work in the house.  The light-coloured slaves were said to have “good hair”. 

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Men who worked on the field shaved their head. Women were also expected to cover their hair with rough, coarse fabric because Europeans considered it unattractive and offensive. House slaves had to wear wigs similar to their slave owner’s hair – they also adorned wigs during this period. Black women with kinky hair had to work in the fields. Yet, those with looser curls which had a more Caucasian – like hair texture were made to work in the house.  The light-coloured slaves were said to have “good hair”. 

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Notice that this is still a stereotype in today’s society. Do you know light skin people with kinky hair are treated better than dark skin people with kinky hair? They are the top preference for men as well. This racial discrimination occurs every day in schools, workplaces, social organizations etc.  

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Notice that this is still a stereotype in today’s society. Do you know light skin people with kinky hair are treated better than dark skin people with kinky hair? They are the top preference for men as well. This racial discrimination occurs every day in schools, workplaces, social organizations etc.  

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Many black people felt pressured to fit in with mainstream white society and adjusted their hair accordingly.  Wouldn’t you say it is still like this today?. I mean people of high social status usually have a specific look, (straight hair), people of the middle or lower class would have more of fancy cornrows and protective style. When we attend specific places for example, a diner or a “classy” outing most black women get the urge to wear their hair straight rather than kinky. They saw this as a form of social mobility.   

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Many black people felt pressured to fit in with mainstream white society and adjusted their hair accordingly.  Wouldn’t you say it is still like this today?. I mean people of high social status usually have a specific look, (straight hair), people of the middle or lower class would have more of fancy cornrows and protective style. When we attend specific places for example, a diner or a “classy” outing most black women get the urge to wear their hair straight rather than kinky. They saw this as a form of social mobility.   

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Natural hair was widely embraced in the 1960’s during the civil rights movement. It was a symbol of rebellion and empowerment.   

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Natural hair was widely embraced in the 1960’s during the civil rights movement. It was a symbol of rebellion and empowerment.   

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In the 1930’s Rastafari theology developed in Jamaica from the ideas of Marcus Garvey, a political activist who wanted to improve the status of his fellow blacks. Dreadlocks is what was worn by Rastafarians. Really the hair is matted and/or palm rolled into long single “locs”. Rastafarians believed that cutting the hair was a form of oppression and anyone who did it especially in Jamaica was looked at as if they were submitting to Eurocentric beauty standards. Eurocentric meaning the focus on European culture.  

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In the 1930’s Rastafari theology developed in Jamaica from the ideas of Marcus Garvey, a political activist who wanted to improve the status of his fellow blacks. Dreadlocks is what was worn by Rastafarians. Really the hair is matted and/or palm rolled into long single “locs”. Rastafarians believed that cutting the hair was a form of oppression and anyone who did it especially in Jamaica was looked at as if they were submitting to Eurocentric beauty standards. Eurocentric meaning the focus on European culture.  

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Too many people still make assumptions that an Afro implies some sort of militancy or that wearing dreadlocks means that he or she smokes canabis all day. This is the stigma the media and leaders has attached to Rastafarians. Everything that we do they try to beat us down and make it out in a negative light.  

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Too many people still make assumptions that an Afro implies some sort of militancy or that wearing dreadlocks means that he or she smokes canabis all day. This is the stigma the media and leaders has attached to Rastafarians. Everything that we do they try to beat us down and make it out in a negative light.  

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Having straightened hair back then increased chances to economic opportunity in the form of finding a job, social advantages such as marriage and getting access to education. You needed to be "well kept" to attain a decent living.  

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Having straightened hair back then increased chances to economic opportunity in the form of finding a job, social advantages such as marriage and getting access to education. You needed to be "well kept" to attain a decent living.  

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Black hair care is now a major industry conservatively estimated to be worth about $774. Million in 2014. Conversely, relaxers have declined significantly over the pass 5 – 10 years. Black business is thriving in the beauty industry because black women are standing up and the response have been very positive with lots of people accepting black women as they are. A major driving tool are social media platforms. Black business are taking this era to create natural hair products as it is a successful industry. This has even influenced brands like ‘Suave’, Treseme, Shea Moisture etc. To create natural hair product lines. 

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Black hair care is now a major industry conservatively estimated to be worth about $774. Million in 2014. Conversely, relaxers have declined significantly over the pass 5 – 10 years. Black business is thriving in the beauty industry because black women are standing up and the response have been very positive with lots of people accepting black women as they are. A major driving tool are social media platforms. Black business are taking this era to create natural hair products as it is a successful industry. This has even influenced brands like ‘Suave’, Treseme, Shea Moisture etc. To create natural hair product lines. 

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The problem in the beginning with this is that they would only cater for curly ‘mixed’ hair rather than kinky hair. Most companies have received a lot of backlash for racist branding. Really because they were promoting natural hair products with no natural hair, dark skin women. Many people once again through social media platforms would come together and boycott particular companies. This then forced them to refine and re-brand there products. The natural hair movement were in action as many people took a stance against these oppressive stunts.  

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The problem in the beginning with this is that they would only cater for curly ‘mixed’ hair rather than kinky hair. Most companies have received a lot of backlash for racist branding. Really because they were promoting natural hair products with no natural hair, dark skin women. Many people once again through social media platforms would come together and boycott particular companies. This then forced them to refine and re-brand there products. The natural hair movement were in action as many people took a stance against these oppressive stunts.  

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So yes, some make ask why is black hair such a major topic. It’s simply because it is our identity. The more we accept it the more we empower ourselves. It is something that colonialist imposed on us that it is something minor. Over centuries this has been embedded in us unconsciously. That colonial mindset. It has become a norm for us to gravitate to European beauty standards. For a while there were hot combs being used to straighten our hair, then in 1980’s and 90’s chemical ‘relaxers’ were used widely to straighten black women hair. Young black girls like myself got our hair permed at a tender age of 5-6 years old some may even say as early as 3 years old. All my life until secondary school I have been going through the crucial pain of getting my scalp burned each time I permed my hair or used a hot comb. Can you imagine the damage though?  

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So yes, some make ask why is black hair such a major topic. It’s simply because it is our identity. The more we accept it the more we empower ourselves. It is something that colonialist imposed on us that it is something minor. Over centuries this has been embedded in us unconsciously. That colonial mindset. It has become a norm for us to gravitate to European beauty standards. For a while there were hot combs being used to straighten our hair, then in 1980’s and 90’s chemical ‘relaxers’ were used widely to straighten black women hair. Young black girls like myself got our hair permed at a tender age of 5-6 years old some may even say as early as 3 years old. All my life until secondary school I have been going through the crucial pain of getting my scalp burned each time I permed my hair or used a hot comb. Can you imagine the damage though?  

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Relaxers can damage one’s hair to the point where they suffer great hair loss and thinning of hair. From my experience and opinions from many friends and family  that I have gathered, there natural hair is much healthier, stronger and thicker. They feel better about themselves.   

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Relaxers can damage one’s hair to the point where they suffer great hair loss and thinning of hair. From my experience and opinions from many friends and family  that I have gathered, there natural hair is much healthier, stronger and thicker. They feel better about themselves.   

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To conclude, all my sistas let's not give into the discriminating, colonialism mindset of Eurocentric standards and instead embrace and accept our Afrocentric culture. Let's love ourselves whole. Let's not put each other down instead help each other up. Let head-ties start trending again. Keep the protective styles trending. Create and promote businesses through our culture. Let's continue to take the stance. 

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To conclude, all my sistas let's not give into the discriminating, colonialism mindset of Eurocentric standards and instead embrace and accept our Afrocentric culture. Let's love ourselves whole. Let's not put each other down instead help each other up. Let head-ties start trending again. Keep the protective styles trending. Create and promote businesses through our culture. Let's continue to take the stance. 