BLACK people’s hair has been a sight of contention both historically and contemporaneously. For black women in Africa and across the diaspora, hair is more than just a stylistic choice.
The choices that black women make when it pertains to their hair have a deeply intersectional impact on almost all aspects of their lives.
Hair is not only an artistic expression; it is tightly interlinked with identity and often comes with social and political implications.
As of December 2023, the global black hair industry is reportedly valued at close to $2.5 billion (about R48bn). In fact, black hair rights are also protected by legislation.
Not only is the black hair industry proliferating, but it also remains a widely contested topic in our modern- day era. From slavery to colonialism to school rules, job requirements and various forms of institutional criticism, black hair is constantly re-emerging as the centre of attention.
The history of black hair and the social perceptions of black hair are closely linked. Hundreds of years
