Black Women Of African American Culture

There has been a notable amount of conversation on the internet on the rebirth of the natural hair movement. Cherise Luter (2014) states that despite afros and the natural hair movement not being a new concept (i.e. the Black Power Movement), it has gone under what she calls a “refreshing change”. Furthermore, what used to be “I’m black and I’m proud”, has been replaced with “I’m me and I’m proud” (Luter 2016). So, what is the natural hair movement? It is defined as a movement where black women decide to not conform to the social norms of chemically altering their hair and wearing it in its natural, kinky, or curled state (Joignot 2015). The movement could also be considered as an outlet for black women to display their racial and cultural pride or to articulate their “political position (Brown 2014:297). However, simply the terminology “movement” is something that should be shocking to many. There is a great amount of historical context behind the continuous influence Eurocentric beauty ideals have had on black women for centuries. According to Nadia Brown (2014), Black natural hair throughout history has proven to be recognized as “either unintended or intended personal and political statements” (298). the beauty standard in Western society which praises European hair textures, has influenced many black women to be critical of other black women who choose to chemically straighten their hair, accusing them of being subservient to the dominant and pervasive racist

The researcher interview with African American women with natural hair and examination of social media. The researchers explain that in the natural hair community a curl texture is more attractive than kinky hair texture and lengthier hair more desirable than short hair; also having manageable hair is dynamic to African American women’s effective performances of Black femininity. This research expands the discourse in African American Studies that theorizes the experiences of African American women with natural hair compared to those of African American women with relaxed hair such as perms (Howard, 2015, p.

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

The author, claims and argues that Black American females are geniuses by presenting quantitative education and income data to substantiate this claim. 2 Kaba provides historical data that demonstrates that Black women have made many notable achievements in history, despite the difficulties that have been faced by the black population for almost 400 years. This author described “genius” as a person of extraordinary intellect and talent and extraordinary intellectual and creative power. Utilizing United States census data, the author points out that of the 14,000 Doctorate degree recipients in the USA aged 18-24, 11,000 were females and Black females accounted for 4,000 (28.6%) and 36.4% of the 11,000 females (Kaba, 2009). The author surmises that with all the statistical census data, educational records and achievements they

Since the early 1900s, Black women have had a fascination with their hair. More explicitly, they have had a fascination with straightening their hair. The need to be accepted by the majority class has caused them to do so. Though the image of straight hair as being better than coarse hair still hasn’t left the Black community, there has been a surge of non straight hairstyles since the nineteen sixties. Wearing more natural hairstyles, which ironically enough include ‘weaves’ and ‘hair extensions’ has been considered to be more empowered and more enlightened. However, this image comes with a price, and though it appears the ‘natural’ hairstyle movement has advanced Black women, it has actually set

The Civil War overall affected African American women in many ways. While they were forced some wanted to take advance of the opportunity to do something to gain their freedom decided to join the war. However they would serve as spies and nurses and some other tasks. Many women’s took the new role at home after their husbands, brothers, and fathers responded to the call of the military of the United States. A lot of enslaved women began the transition to freedom, beginning new lives during the terrors caused by the war. When the war’s end, the overwhelming death of approximately 620,000 soldiers had left numerous women in devastated, ,heath broken ,and compared to previous age of time where it was dominated once again one of the most bloody

The subpopulation of the southeastern United States that I am identifying is the African-American Woman. I chose this topic because it relates to me the most being that I am an African American woman. The five most important health concerns for the African- American Woman subpopulation are breast cancer, High blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, overweight and obesity, and mental health issues (depression). African-American woman have the most, and most of the time the largest, differences in health risks when compared to other minority groups. African-American woman have the most disease, disability, and early death as well. A lot of these early deaths are caused by such late detection of the many diseases

Who is the African - American women ? What value does she hold in the Black community? Is she a simple submissive puppet that has no voice? Is she simply an object used to do work and make babies? Or is she physically, mentally, and emotionally weaker than her opposite sex, which means she can never be called an equal? In society, we are faced with different forms of designations and descriptions that lead to the establishment of a person 's identity. These identities would entail gender inequality, race, ethnicity, economic background, and religion. Identities are used to oppress individuals making it nearly impossible to overcome the obstacles that are insinuated with these traits. Overcoming any of these identities is an epic feat and

Women in U.S. History had to fight for their equal rights, and suffrage just so they can fit in with society. For many years women fought to have their rights to be equal to men, and have freedom to where they can stand their ground. Women from 1865 to today they want to be paid equally, be in politics so that young girls can look up to them. As well, getting laws that can be passed so women can have their equal rights. Some women or groups did not feel like that Suffrage movement, or that African American women wanted more than just some freedom. As well, some women wanted to have jobs, and better pay. Women have a role in society, and they want to contribute with what men must contribute. Although women during the women’s rights/suffrage,

Picture this: it's 2017. Your mother is a teacher and your father works for the school district in your state. You aren’t sure what his actual job title is, but no one really harpers on it. It’s 6am and you rush off your bed, stumbling along all the books, clothes and miscellaneous objects on your floor. CNN is buzzing off the television while eggs sizzle on the stove. You ignore your big-headed little brother and head straight to the door, forgetting your backpack. In the midst of the moment, your eyes gaze over the television.

Hair is an aspect of identity many women are made to confront. It is a projection of how a woman would like to be perceived and who she believes she is within her society. Black women in America face an interesting dilemma when it comes to hair. When African slaves were brought to America, they were confronted with the Eurocentric ideal of beauty, which, in addition to pale skin and Anglo Saxon facial structure, also included straightened hair. As time progressed, black people sought new ways to assimilate. Throughout the course of time many hair straightening agents such as straightening irons, perms, and hair extensions have been used to help aid black people in mimicking the hairstyles of the socially accepted white standards. More

In the late 1960s, the Afro hairstyles became a political statement, announcing, “I am black and proud” and challenged white aesthetics. This movement asked Black people to show their natural beauty without shame, spreading to the world that black is beautiful (BlackHistory.com). However, two decades later, this statement has slowly faded away and has been replaced by fake hair weaves and hair straightening chemical creams. Today, African Americans spend over half a trillion dollars on hair care and weaves, more than any other racial group. Majority of African American women do not feel the need to wear their hair naturally, and choose to chemically straighten their hair (Johnson & Bankhead, 2014).

When I once decided to take out my protective style and wear my hair in its natural state, I received several negative remarks. As a young black female I was bothered and wondered why. I wondered why I was receiving so many negative remarks especially from my fellow Black women. An individual went as far to tell me “your hair looks nice but do not wear that to a job interview”. Hair and the styling of it has been a staple of the Black community for centuries. In African American culture, an individual’s hair spoke volumes about that person. By looking at a person’s hair, one could tell where that person was from, what tribe he or she was a member of and even the status within that tribe. As time progressed the influence and importance of hair

If one was to search for the definition of the term “African American Woman” they would find nothing. Although there are definitions of the words African-American and woman; one cannot define the two words together. This is just it, to actually define what it is to be an African American woman would be the equivalence of rescuing the United States from its trillion dollar debt. It’s impossible. An African American woman can be defined by her confidence, drive and knowledge. All those components define not just her, but her character, her mindset and ultimately the other women of her race.

Natural hair is stealing the show and taking over with the African American population. Having big natural curls has been the most popular style in the last couple years. But, not everyone wants to be natural nor do they have to be because relaxed hair is still winning votes as well. Before the 21 century African Americans cried for relaxers so that their hair could be straight, flowing, and silky smooth. Being in love with you natural hair wasn’t an option way back then. Now we have options, several options. No one is trapped in a stereotypical box, everyone is learning themselves and which is best for them, natural or relaxer. There has been a long time controversy between natural hair and relaxer hair, pertaining