The Universal Experience of Black Hair

“Did they like your hair at school today”?

This is a question many black adolescents remember from their childhood after they receive a fresh hairdo. Or even when you got your hair done between your mom's legs and got your hand popped for moving too much. It goes from pretending to use the restroom to seeing how many braids are left. Even after you get your hair done or haircut, having no plans, you suddenly say, “Somebody is going to see me”! The universal experience of black hair is one many don’t get to experience unless they’re part of the community. Black hair is a pillar in the black community. The creativity it holds, the texture, the magical essences of shrinkage. Black hair deserves to be celebrated, but often enough, it’s disregarded and overlooked. It's time for black hair to get the recognition it deserves. 

Black hair is a part of the black experience. Especially in the way it ties to black history. For instance, cornrows were used as maps to guide the enslaved to freedom. Even to hide, grains were kept in braids to ensure nourishment along the journey. There is so much in black hair deep down in the root. In this case, the scalp and the essence of black hair have led our ancestors to freedom. Guided the path of why hair care in the African-American community is essential. 

The creativity embedded in black culture when it comes to hair in films like B.A.P.S. ( Black American Princesses), Hair Show, and Beauty Shop. These movies depict the ultimate creativity used in producing black hair. The styles that defy gravity, color extension, and even added jewelry and feathers to create a masterpiece. As it's prevalent today, new barbers and hairstylists have developed a range of new and improved styles. From the standard box braids that start with knots to “knotless braids.” From barbers drawing unique designs and shapes and doing undercuts, it went from picking a number to allowing the barber to use creative judgment. As in these salons and barber shops, they still use the same old tactics. One universal experience all black people can test is the” salon and barber talk,” the morning gossip of the salon you'll experience while being serviced.

Just like athletes in the industry back then and even today, they are pretentious about the hair they wear during game time. With the quote, “You look good, you feel good.” Athletes like Allen Iverson and Sha’Carri Richardson use their hair as an expressive outlet. Often enough, when people are on the outside looking in, they deem this style “unprofessional.” They received backlash because it's not expected in the athletic industry to express creativity via hair.

But they both have led a conversation and trends within their industry. 

This also ties into the universal black hair experience, as black hair has been deemed unprofessional and unkempt in the school and professional atmosphere. Many enough have sleeked and pulled their hair back for job interviews. To appease the interviewer or company to get the job. They even received passive remarks about their hair in the workplace. Like, “New hair today,” or “You just keep changing your hair.” It's many black people who have dealt with and continue to deal with hair discrimination. Anti-discrimination laws are in effect to prevent prejudice against black hair. For instance, the “ Crown Act''. The Crown Act prohibits discrimination against individuals based on their race, their natural hair texture, and protective hairstyles, making it unlawful to deny someone employment or educational prospects. As this is in effect, it's ultimately up to the courts to see how they will rule. 

The natural hair movement increased, especially in the late 2000s, as many black women have dealt with relaxers. It started the evolution of what is known as the “big chop.” Where every black young woman, or even older woman, was cutting off their relaxed hair to start their “natural hair journey.” 

Black hair, no matter if it’s natural or not, is glamorous. Black hair, whether loose curls, tight coils, locs, high top fades, waves, or perm hair, is the unique way black hair grows and fros out of black people's heads. It should be admired as Solange said, “ Don’t Touch My Hair” black hair is CÉCRED. Black hair is a universal experience within our community. Black hair is innovative and beautiful and should always be celebrated.

Written By Johnjuana Fisher