Black culture has long been recognized for its beauty and uniqueness in hairstyles. From the "fro" to braids and hair wraps, Black women use their hairstyles as a personal expression of who they are and to showcase the development of Black culture throughout time, an evolution which has led us to a point where increasing numbers of Black women are accepting the natural beauty of their hair. But, it's not without controversy. The controversial topic of beauty, specifically in Black culture is a topic that has been debated for decades. Its origins go back to the Civil Rights Movement, but it is still a hot topic.

Recently, the connection between hair and identity has again attracted attention and sparked many debates within the Black community. After launching a new campaign, Shea Moisture (a Black-owned hair brand) is now at the forefront of the debate. Since its founding the company was devoted to providing its consumers particularly Black women with a selection of natural hair products that cover all types of hair -- including loose, bountiful curls, to tight kinky strands. Historically, the brand has prided itself on filling in the gap in beauty by normalizing and raising awareness about Black beauty while also providing Black women with beauty products that otherwise could not be found in traditional stores.

Their most recent digital advertising campaign sparked outrage when the company attempted to appeal to a more mainstream audience by including Non-Hispanic Whites (NHWs) but excluding any representation of their primary Black population. In particular, the ads appeared to overlook the past and the social struggles Black women have experienced as a result of hairstyles of black women when compared with other groups. To discover more details on community, you must check out black businesses website.

As with any topic that generates heated responses One must consider hair and the culture of the Black society to understand the reasons. Many Black women have had to wrap their hair for centuries as a result of social oppression, abuse and racial discrimination. For instance, prior to liberation movement hair wraps were utilized as a symbol of oppression/social status as well as a way to Black women to be less appealing to their own owners. A lot of Black women felt forced to have more elaborate hairstyles once they joined the workforce. Even now, in certain locations and workplaces typically Black hairstyles, including dreadlocks, are restricted and may be cause for dismissal.

It is easy to see how hair affects Black culture and the identity of Black people. Every woman has her own story , or "hair journey" that is often characterized by struggles stemming back to childhood. As as a Black woman, I've faced my own struggles in accepting my hair in its natural state and, to this day, consider it a vital step in accepting and defining my own identity. As a young woman I was often subjected to teasing because of my big "puffy" hairstyle but my mom pledged to never harm my natural curls by using straighteners or relaxers made from chemicals.

This vicious cycle continued into my junior year. I was fed up with the negative effects these chemicals were having on my hair and made the decision to break out of their clutches. I spent hours researching and trying out different products and spending hours in the salon until I discovered the right solution for me. Looking back, it was the best decision I made and it was a catalyst for a greater achievement in my life: a sense of confidence and acceptance of the person I was becoming.