In more recent years, African Americans and others of African descent have increasingly embraced our natural hair, moving away from, “mainstream styles.” I’m not suggesting that most have made this switch; rather, I challenge the writer’s assertion that we’re moving fom “tight braids” to more Eurocentric styles.

The notion that our coily hair is not acceptable, not beautiful, not elegant, not sexy, and not professional is left over from the days of slavery and fed by Hollywood and the beauty supply industry. The “flowing hair in Hollywood” notwithstanding, we have begun to define beauty for ourselves.