Before We Become Extinct: Why Natural Hair Representation Matters

Representing ourselves is important — it makes us realize what is possible.

As soon as a young black girl looks at women who look like her who are proud of their natural hair, some thing within her shifts. She now understands her hair is not bad; it is not an issue. She does not need to hide her hair before she will accept herself as being attractive.

For many black women, that type of representation did not exist when we grew up. Most of the time, natural afro-textured hair was not depicted as something beautiful in books, movies, magazines, commercials, workplace settings, churches, school settings, or family settings. Many times black women received praise from society for their hair when it was straightened, covered, relaxed, or altered to resemble anything but its natural texture.

That lack of representation impacted our lives. Therefore, natural hair representation matters.

What We’re Exposed To Shapes What We Think

When there is very little exposure to seeing your hair represented positively, it could lead you to question your sense of self-worth.

You may begin to wonder if beauty belongs to all women except for you. You may tell yourself your hair needs to be longer, softer, looser, straighter, and/or easier to style than it currently is. You may feel compelled to change your appearance so you can finally feel comfortable enough to expose yourself.

Therefore, images represent stories, examples are every day.

When a black woman proudly displays her natural woolly hair in public, she challenges negative representations of her texture that many people have absorbed over the years. When she expresses her love and adoration for her afro-textured hair, she shows others that their natural texture does not need to be hid. This encourages them to display their natural texture and express their femininity through their elegance.

Representation Stops the Spread of Shame

Shame surrounding hair typically develops silently.

Silence occurs when children hear their hair referred to as "too rough" or "too hard." Silence occurs when children witness adults viewing natural hair as problematic. Silence occurs when children receive compliment only after their hair is straightened or covered.

However, representation interrupts that silence.

When a black woman proudly displays her afro-textured hair (twists, coils, kinks etc.) she sends a silent message. The silent message is: "This hair deserves to be loved." The silent message is: "This texture belongs here." The silent message is: "We do not have to vanish."

That message can impact another woman that is still battling with shame. That message can inspire a young girl to watch quietly. That message can inspire a woman that has never found the courage to wear her natural hair out in public.

We Want More Than Just Trends

Natural hair should not only be celebrated during the trendy phase. We want natural hair to be celebrated regardless of whether the trend is going strong or weak.

Our hair existed long before the trend existed. Our texture has value regardless of whether the world has acknowledged it or not.

Representation matters because it allows us to go beyond mere temporary acceptance. Representation builds lasting confidence, rather than building confidence based upon what the current trend is.

We need to see woolly hair in everyday life. In mothers, daughters, aunties, teachers, businesswoman, brides, authors, artists, church sister's and grandmother's everyday lives. We need to see it in both big and small moments of joy and happiness. We need to see it in everyday ordinary moments.

Because our hair belongs wherever we belong.

The Next Generation Will Watch Us

Some of us are making choices for ourselves while we are also teaching the next generation how to see themselves. A daughter observes how her mother discusses her hair. An auntie observes whether her niece has to cover her natural texture in shame. Young girls observe whether the women around them discuss woolly textured hair with passion and love or frustration.

That doesn't mean we have to be perfect. It simply means we have to be truthful and purposeful in what we say and do.

We can say: "I am still learning to love my hair."
We can say: "My hair and beauty do not define me."
We can say: "Our natural hair is beautiful...even when we are still trying to learn how to take care of our hair."

Saying such things can be a way to heal.

A Loving Call For All Women To Be Seen

Natural hair representation matters because it allows black women to reclaim themselves. It gives us permission to break down shame, build confidence and send a positive message to future generations of women.

Before we are extinct, we need to stop treating our God-given hair as though it needs to be erased.

If this resonates with you then *Before We Become Extinct: How Do I Find the Courage To Wear My Natural Wooly Hair?*, was written to help black women on their journey toward finding confidence, self-acceptance and liberation.