How Afros and Head Wraps Aid Black Resistance

By Camaron Loritts

When I think about the Civil Rights Movement, the first image that comes to mind is Angela Davis giving a speech to thousands of people and empowering Black people for the movement. Outside of her words, her Afro stands out the most to me as it was plucked and rounded to perfection to beautifully cup her head. Angela Davis’ Afro became an unspoken, complimentary symbol to her revolutionary work as it expressed Black Power (Byrd & Tharps, 2014). As for most Black women, her hair spoke before she did in a powerful way.

During the Civil Rights Movement, Black hair was at the forefront alongside the powerful efforts. The Afro became an iconic symbol for the Black Liberation movement and for the Black Panther Party (Byrd & Tharps, 2014). Wearing an Afro symbolized that someone celebrated their Blackness and African roots because the hairstyle showcased the kinks and coils of Black people’s hair. Black people within the movement were pushing to move away from the conformity of white society, and aspirations of achieving Eurocentric standards of beauty. Wearing an Afro silently expressed affiliation and allegiance to the movement and revolution. By doing so, the Afro became politicized and radicalized. 

Throughout history, Black women’s hair has been politicized and policed, dated back to the late 1700s. In Louisiana, before the area became a part of the United States, the Tignon Laws were created (Tadele, 2020). This law forced women of color to cover their hair with “tignon” or headscarves with the purpose to police free African women while desensitizing them from their African roots and culture. It was also a strategy to end the procreation of biracial children as African women adorning their hair with feathers and jewels was seen as seductive to white men and a threat to white women and white society (Tadele, 2020). However, Black women wore their head wraps with finesse. Following the banishment of the laws, Black Creole women continued to wear their hair in head wraps as it was a sign of resistance and a reclamation of power. Although it did not expose their hair, the covering of their hair through head wraps became a symbol of resistance and a reminder of history. 

Throughout history, Black people’s hair has been politicized and categorized. To combat white supremacy and racism, Black people have reclaimed and declared time and time again that “Black is Beautiful” through the expression of their kinks and coils. Head wraps and Afros are two symbols of Black liberation and self-love because our hair contradicts white supremacy through the refusal of Eurocentric features. Therefore, our hair is where the revolution can begin. Our hair is a statement of resistance and Black power. Through our hair, Black people are able to express their rejection of white society and express their authentic identities. 

Citations
Byrd, A. D. & Tharps, L. L. (2014). Hair story: Untangling the roots of Black hair in America. (2nd ed.). St Martin’s Press.
Tadele, R. (2020) Tignon Law: Policing Black Women's Hair in the 18th Century. Amplify Africa.https://www.amplifyafrica.org/post/tignon-law-policing-black-women-s-hair-in-the-18th-century

Camaron Loritts is an educator and entrepreneur pursuing a Ph.D in Educational Studies with a concentration in Cultural Foundations at UNC Greensboro writing in from North Carolina. Her writing focuses on the sociocultural implications of hair in higher education. Camaron’s favorite writing setting is a comfortable area with snacks and listening to jazz music.