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African American Women Research Paper

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Throughout history, African American women have struggled with accepting the hair that grows from our very own scalp. But why? Why don’t African American women embrace their natural curls? I identify with this topic because at one point I did not believe my natural hair was beautiful, instead I desired for my tresses to be long and straight. This misconception that I had learned from those around me led me to getting a relaxer until I finally realized I did not need to have straight hair to be beautiful and the same for other African American women.
I know that since our childhood years we have been influenced to believe that long, straight, and silky hair was beautiful and that if our hair wasn’t straight or naturally curly ,it was “nappy”. I also know that there is a notion that to have “good hair” is to have loose curls or wavy hair and “bad hair” is considered as coarse, less defined curls that are often called naps. At a young age, we are accustomed to sitting between our mother’s knees while she combs out every “nap” until it is semi straight and easier to braid or twist. As we got older, we would go to the same salon as our mothers to get our hair “hot combed” until we are old enough to get a texturizer and then a relaxer by the time we are in our mid-teens. Although, the …show more content…
It would also be nice to know why coarser hair with tight coily hair is seen as undesirable and unattractive when compared with loose curls when it’s only a difference in the shape of follicles. And also why is it our hair is seen as messy, unkempt or unprofessional when it is simply in it natural state. Lastly, why do we feel the need to relax our hair and wear weaves and wigs to hide our hair, especially for special occasions? I feel that if I find the solution to these problems I can help my audience, black women, to embrace their natural hair whether it is long, short, kinky, or

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