Lots of things contribute to who we are as people, and our culture is definitely one of them. Our upbringing, whether it’s filled with self-love and confidence or not, has a big impact on who we turn out to be. For many African Americans, hair has always been a major part of their identity.
Hair within the African-American community is always a prominent topic. All Things Hair conducted a survey targeting women in the United States aged 16 and older from various ethnic backgrounds to examine disparities in hair care. The findings showed that African American women spend four times more on hair care compared to Caucasian women. Specifically, 21% of African-American women allocate more than 25% of their monthly budget to hair care, whereas only 5% of Caucasian women do the same. This highlights the substantial importance of hair care in Black culture.
Other influencing factors
Another factor influencing these statistics is the occasional politicization of natural hair textures. Terms like “untidy,” “unprofessional,” and “distracting” are often employed in discussions about natural Black hair, providing additional context for these figures.
While The CROWN Act has been adopted in 20 U.S. states, which prohibits discrimination based on hair texture and hairstyles, many African Americans still experience microaggressions and discrimination. Based on the Dove CROWN study, it was discovered that 86% of Black teenagers who face discrimination have encountered it related to their hair by the age of 12. Additionally, the study revealed that although 90% of Black girls hold the belief that their hair is beautiful, the microaggressions and discrimination they encounter do influence their self-perception.
Embracing your natural hair
Wearing your natural hair can pose challenges for some people. Embracing and accepting your curls is a journey that demands ongoing commitment and a sincere effort to become acquainted with and appreciate your hair.
If you’re looking for some inspiration to help you embrace your natural hair, check out these five celebrity quotes and affirmations.
Nicole Ari Parker
Nicole Ari Parker chose to go natural after becoming a mother, driven by her desire for her daughter to embrace her innate beauty. During an interview with Curls Understood, Parker shared her motivation. “I wanted my daughter Sophie to love herself, and hair is a big part of that,” she said. “So when she saw mommy wearing natural styles she started to embrace the beauty of her own natural hair.”
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Letitia Wright
Letitia Wright, known for her role in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, attributes the Marvel superhero franchise to her journey of embracing her natural beauty, especially her hair. In the past, she used to think that straight hair was more desirable. However, she revealed in an interview with Glamour magazine’s Unfiltered video series that portraying Shuri in the movies, where her braided hairstyle was celebrated, played a significant role in helping her appreciate her own beauty and hair.
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