Hair
This essay explores the the way hair texture and colour can shape how people are treated, how they view themselves and what society teaches them to desire. It questions why straight and looser curl patterns are often praised asprofessional, while tighter curls and afro-textured hair have been made to seem difficult. By discussing relaxers, natural hair movements and the pressure to fit Eurocentric beauty standards, it highlights the damage caused when people are expected to change what naturally belongs to them. At its core, this is a piece about self-acceptance, resistance and the growing demand for people to be respected without having to alter their hair to feel accepted.
Team:
Writing by: JENIA NWANCHA
Hair is an integral part of our identity, it represents a plethora of things for people. For some, it also has a major influence on the way they see themselves.
What are the different hair textures that exist ? 1A1B and 1C fall under straight hair
Small and tighter curls fall under 4 A 4 B or 4C
Whilst loser curl patterns consists of 3A 3B ,3C or 2A 2B and 2C
The discourse of hair colour and texture can often be lumped into that of race
Hair with looser textures appears more desirable to those with curls. Colour-wise, blonde hair seems to be most desirable.
This could be due to the fact that people who possess blonde hair , are more than likely people with white skin. Whilst darker hair and tighter textures, although not limited to people with darker skin, are more common among them.
Looser hair textures have always been deemed more tidy and kempt, whilst curler textures have had to find a way to modify their hair . In the 1960s as well as 2010, there were natural hair movements across America, as people no longer wanted to change or hide their natural hair to fit into certain boxes. Afro textured hair was seen as unruly and unprofessional, people were using chemicals to straighten their hair, chemicals like relaxers, which came with long term damage.
Nowadays more and more people are advocating for the right to present themselves as they are.