Preview

The Evolution of Black Hair

Best Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1960 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
The Evolution of Black Hair
The Evolution of Black Hair

Ms. Miller
Social Studies
8 March 2012

Table of Contents
Abstract page 3
Evolution of Black Hair page 4-7 Slavery page 4-5 Relaxers page 5-6 Civil Rights Era and Black Power Movements page 6 Transitioning and Natural Hair page 6-7 Weaves and Hair Extension Stigma page 7 Modern Times page 7-8
Conclusion page 9
Bibliography page 10-11

Abstract
African-American, or Black, hair is very diverse. It ranges from extremely thin and straight, to extremely thick and curly. Throughout history, it could be seen as a gift and a curse. Hair in previous and modern times is seen as a sign of beauty, but all races are not always treated equally. Problems with identity and the struggle to conform caused many African-Americans to be ashamed of what they were born with. Even today, evidence of the struggles are still present. In the project we hope to learn how the views and opinions have changed throughout history. We would also like to educate others about African-American hair and inform them on the common misconceptions.

Ms. Miller
Social Studies
8 March 2012
The Evolution of African American Hair
African-American



Bibliography: Symbols." Char.Txa.Cornell.edu. Charlotte Jirousek, n d. Web. 29 Feb. 2012. . Powers, Martine. "BLACK HAIR." Yale Daily News. Yale Daily News, 8 Apr. 2011. Web. 22 Feb. 2012. . Breyer, Michelle. "A Look Back at the Black Hair Story." NaturallyCurly. Texture Media Incorporated, 12 Feb. 2009. Web. 22 Feb. 2012. . Taylor, Erica. "Little-Known Black History Fact: Hair Relaxer." Black America Web. BlackAmericaWeb.com Incorporated, 9 Oct. 2009. Web. 22 Feb. 2012. . McClain, Cassia "The Truth About Hair Relaxers." Skinbiology.com. Dr. Loren Pickart, 2011. Web. 4 Mar

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    This event told shows that society was in fact in favor of white beauty standards. Even knowingly, the principal, a member of society, told the family that changing hair to look more white would most likely cause other girls to not out the African girls, and it definitely showed that the popular opinion was in favor of white beauty…

    • 932 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Lyda Newman

    • 795 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Bibliography: Tobe- Rollerson, Angela D. A Trip Back in Time- A Black History Moment. Vol. 1. N.p.: CreateSpace Independent Platform, 2012. Print…

    • 795 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Overall, this was a very insightful perception by Malcolm X. I never suspected that some culture of people would unknowingly change their entire appearance to appeal or identify with the white race of people. Though conking being equate to self-denial may seem a bit extreme to some individuals, the theory absolutely makes sense. Ultimately, these beauty standards society has put in place have destroyed us and that is very unfortunate; however, there is a change that has occurred. Many black people, as well as other ethnicities, are embracing their physical features, which is absolutely essential on the journey of self-love and awareness. It does not really matter if people choose to straighten their hair or not; however, one should not…

    • 173 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Madam J Walker Biography

    • 1436 Words
    • 6 Pages

    “I am a woman who came from the cotton fields of the South. From there I was promoted to the washtub. From there I was promoted to the cook kitchen. And from there I promoted myself into the business of manufacturing hair goods and preparations….I have built my own factory on my own ground.”----Madam Walker 1912 (“Madam CJ”).…

    • 1436 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    This is highlighted through Yellow Mary’s character. The new age of the main land and the old traditions of the island exhibited a large degree of differentiation. It would be appropriate to say that Yellow Mary lost her true identity when she moved to the main land. Aside from the fact that she was not particularly “yellow,” her hair appeared to be relaxed and her style of clothing was much different from her family. Kobena Mercer touched on this topic in her article “Politic of Hair.” She questioned that if African Americans manipulated their hair out of its natural state, would it then suggest that they were not proud of being black? Was this the feeling that Yellow Mary had running through her head, or was it racism within hair politics on the main land that forced Yellow Mary to alter her racial identity? “Black hairstyling may thus be evaluated as a popular art form articulating a variety of aesthetic ‘ solutions’ to a range of ‘problems’ created by ideologies of race and racism.”…

    • 776 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Essay On Natural Hair

    • 767 Words
    • 4 Pages

    your own way. People tend to categorize a certain race with a certain natural hair texture. However, natural curly hair isn't a "black thing" or what defines you as a person. Natural curly hair varies through all races and genders. African American women soon realize that they must work hard to demonstrate that their hair texture does not lead to negative qualities about their identity. One way that African American women disband this stereotype is by avoiding the natural state that their hair grows. Maintaining beautiful African American natural hair is a challenge; how much you put in will affect how much you gain out of it. However, knowing how to properly…

    • 767 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Black Is Black Aint

    • 720 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Post civil rights, out of centuries of emasculation, the black man needs to reclaim his power. Black people now embraced the word black as an act of self-empowerment.…

    • 720 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Braided Hair

    • 449 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Braided hair is a simply beautiful and alluring hairstyle for a woman to wear and carry with herself. The sheer simplicity of braided hair makes it a favourite of women all over the world, women who are tired of fiddling and fussing with their hair. Braided hair makes it possible for these women who are stretched and pushed to their limit to let go, relax and enjoy their lives, as the worry of having to see to their hair and its perfect form has been finally remove from their shoulders. These women now find themselves with more time, and energy on their hands, which they may utilise for productive and pleasurable purposes. At the heart of this empowering transformation lies the mountain of effort put in by stylists and professionals at Lionesse Beauty Bar, which enabled the transformation and reappraisal of the braided hair to an…

    • 449 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Although, some black women alter the texture of their hair it's because of fearfulness of the economic compulsion, and the unknown, it’s due the heavy influence America's Eurocentric society has. But, taking charge and deciding for themselves on what hairstyle fits them best, whether it's cornrows or big afro, black women are resisting against the white beauty standard. Challenging America's image of beauty and black women worth, I've decided to go natural to challenge the view, and I couldn't be more proud. Nowadays, a daily motto I go by is: "Relaxer? If my fro makes you feel uncomfortable then you are the one who needs to relax" –…

    • 645 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Gullah

    • 1780 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Bibliography: 1. Adjaye, Joseph K., Time in the Black Experience. Westport, Conn., Greenwood Press, 1994.…

    • 1780 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Black Hair Analysis

    • 639 Words
    • 3 Pages

    According to Ayana D. Byrd and Lori L. Tharps book, Black hair, what motivated African Americans to attempt to straighten their hair stems from their desire to “emulate European standards of beauty, dress, and behavior” (26). This was because their importance were not their education and training, but the way they presented themselves that mattered to society. Due to this, businesses started exploited their eagerness to counter the main stream stigma- even black entrepreneurs. In the early 1900s, two black-owned companies named The Poro and The Madam C.J. Walker company emerged, and both created products designed to treat black women’s damaged, nappy hair. They both even have made major contributions to their African-American community. For…

    • 639 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Natural vs. Relaxed

    • 1347 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Are we ashamed our natural beauty? Is Relaxed the new natural? Is natural hair not gorgeous anymore? Is straight now really the best hair to have?…

    • 1347 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Better Essays

    Did you know that African American hair is different from other ethnicities. It’s really difficult for African Americans to get their hair to grow. They must also wrap it up at night in order for it to look nice the next morning. Products have allowed African Americans to change the texture of their hair over the years. The historical background on natural hair , permed hair and weaves for african americans is extensive and goes back a long time.…

    • 1205 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Evidence Hair Evidence

    • 430 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Ramsland, Katherine. "Trace Evidence — Hair Evidence Analysis — Crime Library on truTV.com." truTV.com: Not Reality. Actuality.. N.p., 26 Apr. 2013. Web. 22 Aug. 2013. <http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/crimi…

    • 430 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Byrd, A.D., & Tharps, L.L. (2001). Hair story: Untangling the roots of black hair in America. New York, NY: St. Martin’s Press.…

    • 675 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays