Unfurling the Magic: Embracing Black Hair in a World That Tries to Tame It

I remember the first time I had to wear my natural hair out to work. I was in my early 20s and, after spending the night before putting my hair in flexi rods, I woke up to find the style didn’t set. My heart hit my stomach. I looked at the clock—there wasn’t enough time to change my hair. If I tried to straighten it, I’d be late. What were my options? Well, I could call in sick—I know my fellow Black women reading this have had many a sick day bad hair day—or I could do the scary thing and wear my fro.

I did the only thing I knew to do: I called my mom. We explored the options. Would it be a dress code infraction? (The answer was no.) Then the really heavy question: was I ready to have them see the most physically authentic version of me they had ever met? That was much harder to answer.

So, looking at the clock once again, I took the plunge. I wore my most professional but still "me" clothes, did my makeup, took a few more glances in the mirror, and made one more call to mom. Then off to work I went. Were there questions? I wish I could say no, but there were questions, as this was the first time some of my coworkers had seen a Black woman with an afro at work. Thankfully, I didn’t get the dreaded “Can I touch your hair?” But after that day, I pushed myself to make my afro commonplace and even toyed around with the shape—not just for me but so that my workspace could get used to seeing this look in all its glory and variations. Because I might be the first, but I promised I wouldn’t be the last.

Reflecting on these experiences, it's clear that microaggressions around Black hair are deeply rooted in systemic racism. To create truly inclusive environments, it's not enough to simply acknowledge these microaggressions; we must actively work to dismantle the biases that underlie them. By fostering understanding and respect for Black hair in all its forms, we can contribute to a more equitable and affirming world for Black women.

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