African American Women Research Paper

African American women's health, hair politics, and physical activities. Studies show that African American women tend to pay more attention to their hair instead of their health issues. Researches came up with a theoretical argument to figure out why hair matter for some women. They discover that hair presents a barrier to exercise in that the time and economic restrictions involved in maintaining a hairstyle post exercise for physical activity as prohibitive. This study provides some perception about the relationship between hair and health for African American women and suggests that extra attention is justified to address views about beauty ideals and hairstyles as a barrier to exercise (Versey, 2014, p. 2015)

This whole movement for Natural hair may seem a little extreme to some, especially to those who aren’t Black women. Hair is just hair, right? It’s ridiculous that how your hair naturally grows out of your head effects how society looks at you. There is no way that wearing your hair naturally could prevent you from getting a job or could get you kicked out of your classroom while you’re trying to get your education right? Well it’s 2016 and that’s exactly what happens to Black girls all over the globe.

The attitudes and arguments towards and against black hair in “Balm” by Lonnae O’Neal Parker and “My First Conk” by Malcolm X are contingent because they express two distinct views on black hair. Malcolm X pleads that manipulation of our hair by straightening or covering by wig is self- degradation. While Parker believes that the time she spent doing her daughters hair is translated to the love she has for them. This time not only assures the girls that they have a loving mother, it assures Parker that she could send them out into a world that would appreciate them because they had someone who put time (love) into the girls. Parker is aware of the scary truth that our worth by outside world is one dimensional and fuel by aesthetics. Both Lonnae O’Neal Parker and Malcolm X have analyze the importance of hair in the black community. Parker praises the “black hair ritual” while Malcolm criticizes it. Even though their topics differ, both essays share the act of taming natural hair, and the motifs of love and pain

Most African American women get their hair advice from low class salon who are self-taught. Low class salons have no knowledge of black women's natural hair texture nor natural hair styles that will protect their hair to keep it from breaking off. These salons use hair relaxer products on their African American clients because it is a fast process and are able to quickly move on to the next client. However, African American woman does not have the option to choose between a relaxer or a protective hair style when dealing with these salons, As a matter of fact, The New York Times mentions, plenty of salons are educating themselves on natural hair styles. “Many wear their twist, locks or teenie-weenie Afros”,” proud to have not given in to the

Many historians argue that race has played a central role in the history of the United States. The statement previously made is a factual statement because there is historical evidence to prove it is true. Knowing and taking in count that there is a lot of racial discrimination for all different races, our main focus will be on the African American (black) race.

African American culture has grown tremendously and has become more popular among all of the races. Not only has it become popular but it has also stirred up a lot of controversy. One aspect of African American culture that has become popular and is very controversial is Black women wearing their hair natural. Black women are really starting to embrace their natural hair and love the skin they are in but there are also a lot of people in society tearing them down. A lot of Black women and men have very curly natural hair and when the women do not feel like managing their hair they wear protective styles like braids or faux locks. Because of these styles, African Americans have been denied jobs and opportunities to prosper in society (Williams, 2015). It is offensive to tell Blacks how to wear their hair and that it is not acceptable. It is basically like telling her that she is unacceptable. There has been a great flow in the popularity of natural hair. In the early 1900’s since Black women were teased for their natural hair, straightened hair had become widely favored in the African-American community, but it lost its popularity to the Afro, which was seen as a symbol of black pride during the 1960s. Later on, Black women and even men returned to using chemical straightening treatments known as relaxers that loosened their naturally curly hair. Experts say that this method was often used as a means of meeting the white standard of beauty. The number of women using relaxers

Hair product companies that are owned by African Americans are created to help the black community enhance their kinky-curly textures. From natural hair products to permed hair products, many companies are making millions among millions of dollars for providing the best shampoos and moisturizers. Many of the natural hair companies were influenced be a woman who created a new regimen for hair growth and created handmade hair products. Sarah Breedlove, who is also known as Madam CJ Walker, gained knowledge about caring for coarse hair and started her own product line. Her first hair product was Madam C.J Walker’s Wonderful Hair Grower and her reputation skyrocketed because of the good reviews about her new creation. Not only she was an entrepreneur, she was also a philanthropist and a helpful Civil Rights activist throughout the early 1900’s.

In 1905 Walker, who had been being her hari sought a treatment for the condition.The Method of beauty culture she developed revolutionized black hair care.She distinguished her products from the hair straightteners advocated be white cosmetic firms,arguing that her treatment was geared to the special health needs of blacks.She sold her homemade products directly to black women, using a personal approach that won her customers eventually a fleet of loyal saleswomen.

Through collage and drawing, I show the relationship between these women and how historical stereotypes effect the way that American culture represents African American hair. Many of those stereotypes are generated

Hair in the black community is complicated. Barbershops and beauty salons are important in black communities alongside black churches. Appearances really matter in the black communities. Black women in films adjust their appearances to media consumption. Most black actresses have already chemically straightened hair.

There is a very wide known issue on hair in America based on the dynamics of hair around presentation and first impressions. There is a present concern in the work environment as well as in the public sector, where racial biases are within communities and society as a whole. After watching the documentary by Chris Rock called “Black Hair” (inspired by his daughter’s inquiry on nappy hair) there were many famous characters, which stated they would much rather wear straight hair verses curly, kinky hair also permed hair forced straight by chemicals. In the article Edited by Lilly Caldwell 2004 “Look at Her Hair” with the song “THE NEGRA IN BRAZILIAN POPULAR CULTURE” Lilly say’s, this song provides a telling example of Black women 's portrayal in Brazilian popular culture. After my researched online. I found a news source with a case pending here in the US where a Black woman with “Locks”, was hired on a job, then told she must change her hairstyle, it was not acceptable, which was racist and degrading.

One common issue that is commonly overlooked by major makeup brands like L’Oreal and Clinique is colorism. Many women of color will only shop specific brands, so larger retail brands are missing out on this market. A lot of women love make up, but despite, blogs, articles, posts and I’m sure journals, many brands continue to miss the mark when it comes to pleasing this market. Because of the context of limited options in an environment and frustration, a lot of women of color will boycott certain companies and that also applies to hair

We know that the increasing visibility of black women’s natural hair and its growing popularity does not mean there isn’t still a bias against it. Most of us have had to deal with our own experiences of this bias or at the very least, are aware of someone who has. Whether it’s in the workplace or at school or going through security at the airport, we live this. Naturallycurly has also written about this study in an article entitled There's still a stigma against natural hair (this study is proof). TeenVogue.com also has an article entitled Study Shows Bias Against Black Women’s Natural Hair, and both are worth reading. The TeenVogue article had a link to the test on which the study is

African American hair has so much diversity and flexibility, throughout many years of oppression and hardships they have chosen to alter their natural texture to fit into “white” standards of beauty. Often feeling the pressures to fit into society, many of these people will purposely damage and harm themselves with a chemical substance called a relaxer. It is important that the millions of women who live their lives solely based on outward appearances know that it is normal to want to feel accepted, but doing so at the sake of your health is not worth it. Traditionally African American hair has and still is the subject of criticism. The constant criticism is not only racially insensitive, it leaves millions of young girls and women feelings self conscious about the way they were born into the world.

They modify their features to better suit society and to be more appealing. Those women have come so far and have made such impacts that for them to embrace natural African American hair would allow society to find beauty and comfort in supporting their natural structure. Many believe that, if one becomes an advocate protestor for natural hair it will allow for African Americans to embrace and express their cultural and racial values. In conclusion, by Ifemelu wearing her natural hair she helped build confidence in herself and other women to stop using relaxers and chemicals on their hair. She truly symbolized beauty comes in all shapes, size, ethnicities, races and