Black Hair, White Standards: Breaking the Chains of Conformity
It's mocked, ridiculed, and vilified-natural black hair.
From schoolyards to boardrooms, Black folk's hair is under attack. Children are taunted for it. Women in the workplace face pressure to straighten it or risk unemployment. Even professional athletes are sneered at and caricatured because of it.
The pressure to alter, disguise, or hide natural Black hair spans the globe. But why?
What is it about our natural, God-given hair that invites such scorn and judgment? Why do some of us go to extreme lengths to change it?
In this revised and expanded edition of Black Folk's Hair, Kamau and Janice Kenyatta offer a bold and compassionate exploration of the truths hidden beneath these questions.
What You'll Discover:
✅ The historical roots of society's disdain for black folk's hair.
✅ How myths and misconceptions about black hair perpetuate shame.
✅ The emotional toll of "fitting in" and the liberation of embracing your natural self.
Drawing from their personal experiences and years of research, lectures, and workshops, the Kenyattas unravel the secrecy surrounding natural black hair. Their investigation confronts outdated beliefs, exposes hard truths, and celebrates the unique beauty of black hair.
This book challenges the narrative that black hair must conform to Eurocentric standards to be acceptable. It's a call to embrace authenticity, break free from societal shame, and reclaim the pride and power that natural hair represents.
The Kenyattas' honest and thought-provoking approach isn't without controversy, but by the time you turn the final page, you'll never look at Black hair the same way again.
If you're ready to uncover the secrets, confront the shame, and experience the liberation of understanding Black hair, this book is your guide.
It is ridiculed, laughed at and vilified. School aged children are taunted and teased about it. Women in the workplace are pressured to change it with the threat of unemployment. Professional athletes are caricatured and sneered at over it. The pressure to change our hair in order to "fit" in is worldwide. But why?What is it about Black Folk's Hair that makes it the object of scorn, abuse and insult? And why are some of us going to extremes to alter, disguise or cover it up?The answers to these and many more questions are found in the pages of this new revised edition of Black Folk's Hair. Offering male and female insights, the authors present a penetrating and updated examination into the hidden truths of Black folk's hair.Their investigation lays to rest many age-old beliefs about the subject; most of which, are inaccurate, unsuitable and offensive.They skillfully unravel the secrecy surrounding Black folk's hair uncovering factors from history as the foundation of their inquiry. Included are their personal experiences and what they have learned from lectures, seminars and workshops conducted over the years.The Kenyattas' caring and warm approach to this hush-hush subject is not without controversy. However, when you finish this book, you will never see Black folk's hair the same again!
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