Subtle and Saucy Rebellion
Hair prejudice and discrimination in America has always been met with resistance by its victims. During the enforcement of Tignon laws in New Orleans, LA, Black women adorned their hair coverings with elaborate fabrics and jewels in a sly opposition that further enhanced their beauty (National Park Service 2021). The Black Panther Party and other iconic Civil Rights Movement activists wore their Afros proudly as a symbol of resistance to racism. And the New Natural Hair movement in the 21st century is allowing people to wholistically embrace their identities and unlearn internalized racism. Black hair has time and time again been employed as a method of rebellion against Eurocentric ideals and values.
Although much of natural hair discrimination is perputuated by individuals, institutions, and structures with intents of exclusion and oppression, some of it is due to ignorance or misinterpretation. For example, it is a very common for Black people to have their hair touched by unknown non-Black people, often without consent. While many who do such actions claim to not mean any harm, it serves to reinforce the exoticization and fetishization of natural hair, while also dehumanizing Black people by robbing them of bodily autonomy.
In addition, Black hair is politicized. Because of its history with Black resistance, it is often associated with rebellion and radicalism. While hair is an important aspect of Black culture and expression, it is also important to remember that it is still “just hair” to some. It can be a huge part of one’s identity, or it may not be. The hairstyle could be a social statement, and it could not. Because one cannot control the natural state of their hair texture, their reasoning for wearing it that way should be treated with similar normalcy that is given to those with straight hair. Presumptions should not be held because they are not overall representative and others aspects of Black identity that should be normalized. Appreciation is good, exoticization is not. And this message is part of today’s “Back to Natural Movement,” whose goal is to “appreciate […] black hair for its uniqueness and beauty, and not for advancing a political cause,” (Wheeler 2017).
