Why is Black Hair So Political?

An exploration of the historical context and ongoing debates surrounding Black hair, highlighting its significance in cultural identity and societal perceptions.

The importance of black hair is historic

Emma told us what black hair meant in Pre-Colonial Africa - before the Slave Trade. Afro hair has a very unique texture, and for centuries it has had social significance too.

Touching someone’s hair - especially without permission - can be hugely offensive

“Traditionally, complicated braided, twisted and threaded styles would be used to express your status, whether or not you were married and if you went through puberty. It was seen as a really important part of society.”

And the discrimination is historic too

We also found out that the texture of black hair was used as a ‘justification’ for the enslavement of Africans between the 16th to the 19th centuries.

Emma’s research found: “One of the examples of this [justification] was ‘look they don’t even have hair’ - European people have hair. They have wool. Animals have wool. They’re more like livestock.”

“So many of the stereotypes and ideas that we believe about black people were engineered during the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade.”

Kevin added: “Black and brown people were portrayed as being wild and untamed. And that trickled down to talking about hair.”