The mistreatment of black women based on their hair is not new. The policing of Afro hair has been happening for centuries. In work settings, Afro-textured or kinky hair has often been perceived as undesirable, unprofessional and ugly. Such negative views have made many black women to spend a fortune on artificial hair, weaves and extensions. While it’s perfectly acceptable for black women to embrace artificial hair, it’s important to continue fighting prejudice against black and Afro hair.
“The problem of the twentieth century is the problem of the color line…which show themselves chiefly in the color of the skin and the texture of the hair” — W.E.B Du Bois in a speech entitled To The Nations of Our World.
“One day I was having a conversation with an Asian friend, and he made a random comment about how black girls are always talking about how they love themselves, when they cannot even accept the hair that grows out of their scalp. Ouch! What if I could accept me!” Dr. Sampa Chifuntu Sichilima.