By Angela Wilson | UAB Community Health and Human Services Intern
It gets incredibly exhausting to dispel myths about the African American culture constantly. It is even more tiring to have to defend your hair repeatedly. As more black women become educated, enter the workforce, and become entrepreneurs, many still defend their hair, especially if they wear it in natural styles like afros, braids, Bantu knots, and locs. In recent years, Black women have increasingly embraced wearing their natural hair and have abandoned using perms and relaxers. Some say this could be viewed as the Black woman’s revolution, and even though Black women have been celebrated and (mostly) accepted for their decision to go all-natural, it is still an ongoing battle to combat some stereotypes associated with Black hair.
So, what are some of these stereotypes associated with Black women’s hair? Well, there is the myth that Black women never wash their hair. This seemingly stems from the fact that most Black women’s hair is naturally dry, making it more vulnerable to breakage. As a result, they may opt to wash their hair less frequently to avoid stripping it of its natural oils. Another stereotype is that Black women’s hair cannot grow long, which is why Black women wear hair extensions and wigs. Although race seems to be a factor in Black women’s hair growth, several other factors, including genetics, nutrition, and age, also play a role. On average, a Black woman’s hair grows approximately 4 inches a year (one inch shorter per year than White women’s), but due to the coarse texture of Black hair, the length does not show unless the hair is straightened. As far as Black women wearing weaves and wigs, most Black women wear them to provide a protective styling option, save time, and explore more hair options like different hair colors, not because their hair will not grow.
These stereotypes are not exhaustive; unfortunately, much more must be debunked. Hopefully, as more people educate themselves with facts and knowledge, Black women can finally escape the many stereotypes about their hair.
References
Alcindor, et al. (2021). PBS.org. How Hair Discrimination Impacts Black Americans in Their Personal Lives and Workplace. https://www.pbs.org
Scholars Strategy Network. (2021). What’s Hair Got to Do with It? Black Women’s Bodies and the Traditional Look of Success in American Politics. https://scholars.org.
PHAME-US 