Good Hair: Eurocentric Definition Of Beauty

According to James Morris Blaut, "Eurocentrism is quite simply the colonizer's model of the world.”If I were to meet a genie, and was offered one wish to solve any problem, it would be to stop Eurocentric standards be the definition of beauty in the media and fashion industries, especially when it comes to hair.The media often portrays the Eurocentric standards of beauty, by presenting women of color with lighter skin, thin body, and sleek straight hair.Therefore, contradicting African American beauty; the brown complexions, big kinky hair, and facial structures.The problem with displaying Eurocentric standards as the definition of beauty is that it often influences many black women to damage their natural kinky hair texture by using chemicals
The documentary reversed my notion that "nappy hair is bad hair.” But more importantly, it changed the way I felt about mine. The Eurocentric standard had affected me so much, I willingly damaged my hair and confidence in the process of it. Uncovering the world of magazines, and tabloids I realized that I wanted fit into the idolized Eurocentric ideal to feel accepted. However, after viewing the documentary I realized that instead of trying to assimilate in the Eurocentric society, I should accept my curls, because that is something that is intertwined with who I am
Although, some black women alter the texture of their hair it's because of fearfulness of the economic compulsion, and the unknown, it’s due the heavy influence America's Eurocentric society has. But, taking charge and deciding for themselves on what hairstyle fits them best, whether it's cornrows or big afro, black women are resisting against the white beauty standard. Challenging America's image of beauty and black women worth, I've decided to go natural to challenge the view, and I couldn't be more proud. Nowadays, a daily motto I go by is: "Relaxer? If my fro makes you feel uncomfortable then you are the one who needs to relax" –