- Ashley S.
- Thursday, June 23, 2022
“Beauty is, as ever, imagined through the characteristics of a standard not designed to include us. The only way Afro hair can seemingly fulfill the criteria for beauty is if we make it look like European hair—if we make ourselves look like something we are not.” - Emma Dabiri
Most individuals are familiar with the term colorism, but may be confused when they hear the word texturism. Texturism is the idea that certain textures of hair are indicators of a superior status in society. Loosely coiled hair or hair that fits the standards associated with European features are accepted as societal norms whereas hair that is tightly coiled is often defined as unkempt. Emma Dabiri, through her writing of Twisted: The Tangled History of Black Hair Culture, provides excellent insight to the way that Black hair has been weaponized to mark an entire community of individuals as inferior. While texturism may be a newer term, it is vital to our conversations about race.
Twisted: The Tangled History of Black Hair Culture is Emma Dabiri's take and insight to the complex world that is Black hair. This book not only focuses on her own personal experience, but also the beautiful, yet sometimes heartbreaking history that Black people have with their hair. While it may be insignificant to most, Black hair culture is a complex, dynamic part of our identity. Dabiri spends chapters of the books discussing all facets of Black hair in relationship to Yoruba traditions, the hair binary, the relationship between Black men and their hair, historical figures like Madame C.J. Walker, cultural appropriation, and more.
What I enjoyed most about the book was the different views and perspectives that Dabiri explored. There were aspects of the text that I was familiar with while there were others that enlightened me on my own experiences and the experiences of others. I think that Dabiri does an outstanding job bringing the whole idea of internalized racism and proximity to Whiteness into this conversation and showing how it not only affects the relationship Black people have with each other, but also the complex relationship they have with themselves. It was very clear from that Dabiri spent a great amount of time taking the basis of her own experience with Black hair culture and applying research to open the gateway for a well-rounded discussion.
#OwnVoices at Richland Library is a way for African American staff to provide thoughtful and well written book reviews, book lists and blog posts to promote African American authors and their work about the African American experience. The series invites our customers to learn one more way we are continuing the conversation in our community and speaking our voice. Find more resources on race, equity and inclusion, here.