The Natural Hair Movement

Hair is a part of the body on your head that is broadcasted in all different ways in media, varying from straight to curly to kinky. This is a way to showcase our inner personalities and bring out the best or worst of us, like when we do not feel like curling our hair. In class, you may notice that one girl that always has super long healthy hair, or that guy that always sits in the front of the classroom with his big afro.

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As African descendants, we can thank our African ancestors for giving us the gift of hair that we can do anything with. This can range from getting dreadlocks, cornrows, braiding, and etc. All these styles are perfect ways to wear natural hair, as the natural hair movement is coming back! What is a better way to wear your hair than using the hair on your own head, instead of weaves and extensions.

Photo Credit: http://beautifulbostonian.com/beauty/2016/10/3/5-ways-to-work-on-your-natural-hair-this-winter

The media, over the years, continues to show women with long straight hair, or with perfect curls, as this is the typical beauty standard in the United States. This image has been embedded in our brains and has been portrayed as the typical, and some, only way women’s hair is considered beautiful. Now, in the 21st century, a shift is occurring as, drum roll please, straight hair is not the only texture that God created.

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Look around, there is advertisements, magazines. Advertising campaigns are finally starting to show gorgeous African American women shamelessly flaunting their natural hair looks. It was about time! I am not saying there is anything wrong with having straight hair, but that is not the only type of hair texture the world has.

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With this change, I foresee the mental change in the adolescents, like me, that it is ok to have super kinky hair that you have to detangle all the time and have everyone want to touch because it is the true YOU, embrace it!

From your everyday teenager,

Natty C

What do you think?