Black people have curly hair, right? That is what we have been told all of our lives. But what if that’s not the case? What if you — yes, you reading this right now —have straight hair but are still black? Can Black people have straight hair? This is a question that has been asked for decades now and it is about time that we answer it once and for all. Black people can have straight hair. In fact, there are many famous black men and women with naturally straight hair from Rihanna to Viola Davis. However, the origin of the phrase “can’t see your left from your right” as a way to describe someone with very curly hair comes from an old African proverb, which suggests that only white people can grow their hair straight. So how did all of us get this so terribly wrong? Read on to discover more about whether or not black people can have straight hair.
Can Black People Have Straight Hair?
Black people have always been the butt of racist jokes and stereotypes. In the past, we were told that black people have cooties, that they smell bad, and that they are lazy and stupid. We were told that they could never get white women to date them because they were too ugly or too dark. And even now, black men are still being told by many white women to “get a weave” or “get a relaxer” so as to be more attractive to them. But as we all know, stereotypes don’t necessarily have to be true. It is possible for black people to have straight hair and still be beautiful and attractive. It is possible for us to have hair that comes in different textures from straight hair down to wavy hair. Black women can wear their natural texture of curly or kinky hair without any problem at all!
Why Are Black People Known for Having Curly Hair?
- It is well documented that only black people have curly hair.
- Black people are seen as the “original” people of the world, and therefore they are seen as having more natural or pure characteristics.
- The media has created a stereotype that only black people have curly hair, which makes it seem like all black people have curly hair naturally.
- Black women are made to believe that straight hair is what is best for them, and so they straighten their hair to be more attractive to men. As a result, many black women lose their kinky or curly texture over time because of this stereotype.
- This stereotype about only black people having curly hair has become an accepted fact in society, making it difficult for other races to have straight hair without being accused of trying to be white or white now trying to be black!
- It has become so normal in society that no one even questions why all black people have curly hair anymore! In other words, this phrase has become accepted by society at large!
- This stereotype about only black people having curly hair has become so normalized that we don’t even question why we are known for having curly or kinky hair anymore! Basically, we just accept it as part of our identity without realizing how harmful this can be for our self-esteem!
- Most black people have very curly or kinky hair, so it is easy for the media to portray all black people as having very curly or kinky hair.
- This stereotype about only black people having curly hair has become so normal that no one questions why we are known for having curly or kinky hair anymore! Basically, we just accept it as part of our identity without realizing how harmful this can be for our self-esteem!
- Having curly or kinky hair is a genetic trait that is not passed on from generation to generation. As a result, many black people grow up believing that they have naturally curly or kinky hair because their parents and grandparents also had this trait.
How Black People Got Coined With Having Curly Hair?
- Black hair was originally referred to as kinky hair. This was a term used to describe the texture of African-American hair. The term first appeared in the late 19th century, and it is believed that this was the first time that black people were referred to by their race and not their skin color.
- In the late 18th century, many slave owners began using straightening irons on black slaves in order to make them more manageable for work in the fields or for other types of labor. Straightening irons were used on both white and black slaves, but they were only used on black slaves because they could not be used on white slaves due to religious reasons because many of these slaves were Christians or from other faiths that did not allow their hair to be straightened.
- By the mid-1900s, American society began making changes regarding racism and discrimination based on skin color as well as ethnicity. This was a major step forward in terms of equality and human rights for all people regardless of race, creed, sex, or sexual orientation (i.e., gay). As we all know, one of the biggest steps forward occurred during President John F Kennedy’s administration when he signed into law Executive Order 10925 which prohibited discrimination based on ethnic origin (i.e., racial background). This order also prohibited discrimination based on gender (i.e., sex) as well as age (i.e., age). During this time period, it was also discovered that black people had kinky hair and that it was referred to as kinky hair or kinkiness.
- In the mid-20th century African-American civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. began his mission for equality for all people regardless of skin color or ethnic origin (i.e., racial background). He used the term “kinky” in order to describe the texture of black hair, and he used it in different speeches in an attempt to make people understand how black people felt about discrimination and racism. We can assume that Dr. King may have been the first person to use the term “kinky” when referring to black hair in an effort to describe discrimination against African-Americans, but we cannot be certain because there is no documentation available regarding this topic.
- The phrase “Black People with Curly Hair” has been used throughout many movies and TV shows over the years, suggesting that many people believe that only African-Americans have curly hair or that only black people are referred to by their race rather than their skin color (i.e., ethnicity). This phrase has also been used in a number of books and articles written for children by authors who are not African-American, implying that we must teach our children about racial prejudice based on skin color as well as ethnic origin (i.e., race) from a young age so they understand what racism is all about because other people simply don’t.
- The phrase “black people with curly hair” has been used in a number of songs and poems over the years, implying that many people believe that only African-Americans have curly hair or that only black people are referred to by their race rather than their skin color (i.e., ethnicity). This phrase has also been used in a number of books and articles written for children by authors who are not African-American, implying that we must teach our children about racial prejudice based on skin color as well as ethnic origin (i.e., race) from a young age so they understand what racism is all about because other people simply don’t.
- Many people believe that black curly hair is something to be ashamed of, which is unfortunate because it isn’t true at all! Black curly hair can be beautiful if it is well cared for and properly groomed. It can even be attractive if it is properly cared for and well-groomed, but this doesn’t mean the person with the kinky hair should feel bad about having kinky hair or be ashamed of his/herself because of his/her kinky hair!
- Some people believe that black curly hair is something to be ashamed of, which is unfortunate because it isn’t true at all! Black curly hair can be beautiful if it is well cared for and properly groomed. It can even be attractive if it is properly cared for and well-groomed, but this doesn’t mean the person with the kinky hair should feel bad about having kinky hair or be ashamed of his/herself because of his/her kinky hair!
- Many people believe that black curly hair is something to be ashamed of, which is unfortunate because it isn’t true at all! Black curly hair can be beautiful if it is well cared for and properly groomed. It can even be attractive if it is properly cared for and well-groomed, but this doesn’t mean the person with the kinky hair should feel bad about having kinky hair or be ashamed of his/herself because of his/her kinky hair!
- Some people believe that black curly hair is something to be ashamed of, which is unfortunate because it isn’t true at all! Black curly hair can be beautiful if it is well cared for and properly groomed. It can even be attractive if it is properly cared for and well-groomed, but this doesn’t mean the person with the kinky hair should feel bad about having kinky hair or be ashamed of his/herself because of his/her kinky hair!
Conclusion
Now you know that black people can have straight hair and that straight hair does not have to mean that you are not black. So, go ahead and straighten your hair if you want to. You have every right to do so. But remember that it doesn’t mean that you are not black.
