Black hair is the moment

Photo Credit: Hannah Gates, Josephine Gates, Turha Banks, Elizabeth Gates, Jordan Martin, Alexis Zeidner, Dashaunae Marisa, Jurnee Ta’Zion, Brittany Harris, Kaylin Kononow, Daejonte White-Champion, Kai Saga, Leah Jeter, Elisabeth Comer, Leah Woodson, Kamani Blakeney, Brazil Jackson, Brianne Kelley, Anthony Bryson

Black hair is the moment. It represents versatility, history and culture. A legacy woven into the fabric of Black brilliance. From intricate braids to bold big chops, Black hair is more than a style. 

It’s a statement of resilience, identity and creativity. 

Black hair is strategic

Black men and women around the world often face discrimination because of their hair.

Sometimes when searching for a hairstyle online, one might have to type in “Black” before mentioning the style, just to ensure they will receive the results they are looking for. However, this does not negate the fact that Black hair is the most versatile hair in the world.

Black hair embodies diverse textures, curls and patterns, reflecting generations of ancestry and Black cultural evolution.  

Black hair is planning, patience, care and nurturing. 

It demands planning because it is not always convenient, patience because it takes time, care because it is delicate and nurturing because it can grow into something so beautiful — it becomes literal art.

The world would benefit from understanding that while Black hair may require effort, it is a labor of love that is more than worth it.

For a long time, animated movies and shows couldn’t get it right. Coils and tight curls were left out, with Black hair feeling like an afterthought. However, with new technology, animators can finally bring realistic Black hairstyles to life for Black characters. 

This new technology, along with similar initiatives, will help young Black children growing up seeing animated cartoons view their hair not as an inconvenience but as something to be celebrated.

History of hair discrimination

It’s no surprise that systemic racism has fueled Black hair discrimination globally since the Transatlantic Slave Trade. For Black people, it’s been a long, ongoing battle to defend their hair in their workplaces, schools, sports and everyday life.

In the workplace, some Black men and women are told their hair is unprofessional. In schools, Black students are told their hair is a distraction. In sports, Black athletes are expected to keep their hair hidden, short or straight to keep things “safe.” 

These barriers make it hard for people in the African diaspora to see that their hair is as beautiful and as valuable as the hair of their non-Black counterparts.

Hair microaggressions and biases are dangerous. To encourage a safer environment within society for Black people and end hair discrimination in America, Congress passed the CROWN Act (Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair) in 2022. It is a law that prohibits discrimination based on natural hairstyles, such as afros, braids and locs in workplaces and schools. 

The fact that The CROWN Act was only recently enacted in the fight against Black hair discrimination highlights the glaring absence of laws protecting the hairstyles of other racial groups—because their hair isn’t viewed as an issue. This unfortunate reality underscores the deep-rooted inequality and bias against Black hair. 

However, The CROWN Act passing in the Senate is a testament to the hard work of those fighting to end hair discrimination.

Celebrating Black hair

July 3, known as CROWN Day, is a national holiday dedicated to celebrating Black hair. Despite the harsh history of the world’s view on Black hair, the Black community continues to embrace and honor Black hair, and their identity within it.

Through resilience and pride, the Black community is redefining beauty standards and reclaiming what was once marginalized, proving that Black hair is not just a style, but a symbol of strength and cultural significance.