LEARNING TOGETHER: The Story of America
The Afro or ‘fro is a hairstyle that has a texture that is naturally curly, kinky, coarse, nappy, or woolly. It’s kinda the opposite of long and straight hair.
Sadly, for years Black Americans have been told that the Afro, especially when worn by women, was unacceptable, rebellious, or ugly. Even among some African Americans the Afro was seen as unattractive. But this is what happens when you have been told for generations that everything about your Blackness is hideous. You start to accept the lies as facts.
The popularity of straightening our hair goes as far back as the era of slavery. Back in the day, a lot of Black women straightened their hair as a means to fit into the American/European standard of beauty. Those who didn’t straightened their hair chose cornrows or braids.
It wasn’t until the 1960's and 70's, during the Civil Rights Movement and the discovery that “Black is Beautiful” that Black people began to really question America’s definition of beauty. Some even went so far as to say that “There’s nothing wrong with my cocoa-colored skin, my cool walk, the way I jive talk or my naturally curly hair.” With the rise of the Black Power Movement, the Afro became a powerful political symbol, a sense of ethnic pride, Black culture, liberation and even as a connection to our African heritage.
By the end of the 70's the Afro had been replaced by braids, cornrows, and dreadlocks. Luckily, the Afro continues to make comebacks like in the 90's and even to this day, the Natural Hair Movement is in full swing. Black women are choosing to wear an Afro or their natural hair versus straightening their curly locks. Today, it’s normal to see someone, especially Black teenagers, proudly rockin’ a gigantic ‘fro.
Wearing an Afro means different things to different people. It could be seen by some as a symbol of defiance, rebellion, and a political statement, or it could also be viewed as a symbol of pride, power, and beauty. And do I dare say, “a symbol for Good Hair!”
OUR HISTORY MATTERS
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