In recent years, there has been a rise in acceptance and celebration of natural hair. From more companies offering products that are tailored to our unique needs, to celebrities like Yara Shahidi and Solange openly embracing their natural curls and coils on the red carpet, there is no denying that the stigma surrounding natural hair is slowly fading away. But does this mean that society is finally accepting us as we are or have we simply become a trend?
It's no secret that mainstream media has long glorified Eurocentric ideals of beauty. This means straightened hair, light skin, thin noses—basically anything that isn't considered “ethnic” or "native" was deemed desirable. And anyone who deviated from these standards was seen as less than others—which included those with naturally curly hair. Moreover, for many black people (and other people of color or even just curly hair), their kinky/coily hair was something to be ashamed of because it was not socially accepted. Thus began a cycle of oppression that resulted in generations of people believing that their natural hair wasn't good enough and feeling the need to conform to society's standards by chemically altering their texture or covering it up completely with wigs and weaves.
That being said, there has been an increase in awareness regarding this issue thanks to the power of social media; stories about embracing one's true self have become increasingly popular over the past few years and they've sparked important conversations about representation in mainstream media. Additionally, more companies have begun creating products specifically designed for naturally textured hair which has made it easier for those with kinky/coily strands to take care of them without having to resort to damaging methods like chemical relaxers or hot combs—which is a sign that progress is being made! However, I think it's important to note that while trends come and go, our love for our natural hair should remain constant regardless of what mainstream media deems acceptable.
At the end of the day, the politics surrounding natural hair says a lot about how society views us at large—whether we're considered fashionable or unfashionable; whether we're seen as unique individuals or just another trend; whether we're accepted for who we are or constantly told we should be someone else; etc. So let's continue having these conversations and celebrating each other so that everyone can feel empowered no matter what their texture may be! After all, when you look good—you feel good too!
We are stronger in community, which is why StyldLife Crown Club is invested in creating a safe haven for naturals no matter their hair type, or part of the natural journey they're on. Join the #StyldLifeCrownClub to learn how to style, care for, and grow your crown!