It seems VERY complex. Is kinky hair a political statement like the symbol of a people regaining personhood in the ‘60’s? Is straightening hair about self-hate, and buying into the White standard of beauty? Wearing the high art styles of braids and dreadlocks has long tested the upward mobility of People of Color in business. Some say the high number of Black and Brown children drowning is directly related to not learning to swim because of the hair ‘going back home’ in water. Some Black women say, ‘Don’t go natural, or you’ll be naturally sitting at home on Saturday night’. But now ‘everybody’ and every culture are wearing weaves and extensions. Is the resurgence of natural hair and the economics associated a temporary trend? What has caused this new wave of attention and expression? Or is it simply fashion statements? Please join Lori L. Tharps, Assistant Professor, Temple University and Author with her updated book, Hair Story, and find out new research and important insights.
