A Love Story - The Controversy of Black Hair

Episode summary: Black hair with its curls, kinks, and texture has been controversial throughout history, needing to be controlled, stopped, or changed. In this episode Black Hair is examined from a point of practicality and love. The complex feeling that both Black and non-Black people feel towards Black hair are questioned in celebration of the theme for Black History 2022, Health and Wellness.

 

Topics discussed in this episode:

- Structure of Black Hair [5:44]

- Educating Non-Black People [14:18]

- Making a Difference Regarding Black Hair [21:42]

- Teaching Black and Mixed Children to Love their hair [23:52]

- Black Haircare Industry [36:12]

- Hair Equity and the Crown Act [40:33]

- Everyone’s Benefit [46:06]

- Unsung Heroes of Black Hair [52:28]

Quote:

“If my earning potential is connected to my textured hair, which comes naturally out of my head, meaning my natural hair, and it relegates me to a $ 10-hour job, that's horrible for the rest of my life.”

Resources mentioned in this episode:

NPR Code Switch

CROWN Act Guide

The CROWN Act & transforming the rules of professionalism around Black hair

The CROWN Act Coalition

Black Hair History

CROWN Act Law

Black History Month

Marie Antoinette

JennyCapp

Braids, locs, twists or Bantu knots

Natural Hair Movement

Implicit association test

 

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