Natural hair chronicles of black female vloggers: Influences on their psychological well-being

Jacobs, Liezille; Kelemi, Anelisa

doi:10.1080/14330237.2020.1796046

Cited by 6 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…Even after the abolition of slavery, the topic of Black hair remained a highly politicized topic, both within the United States of America and internationally (Jacobs & Kelemi, 2020). In South Africa, Black women were not exempt from the pressures of European beauty standards.…”

Section: Theoretical Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In South Africa, Black women were not exempt from the pressures of European beauty standards. During the apartheid era, straight hair was considered to be the epitome of "good hair" while "bad hair" was associated with people of colour; this perpetuated the desire among Black people to use hair relaxers to straighten their hair (Jacobs & Kelemi, 2020). Furthermore, the Population Registration Act of 1950 introduced the pencil test as a means of racial classification and segregation in South Africa (Alubafi et al, 2018).…”

Section: Theoretical Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Contribution of Social Media in Shaping Self-Perceptions: A Case of Black Women

Nkuna

2024

IJHSS

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Purpose: This study aimed to explore how social media representations of Black women’s hair shapes their sense of identity, self-concept and hair care practices. Methodology: A qualitative cross-sectional approach was employed, with a sample size of five Black women in South Africa between the ages of 20 to 29 years old. Semi-structured interviews were conducted online with research participants that were purposively selected from social media platforms Twitter and Instagram. The use of these platforms to select participants also offered convenience to the researcher as these participants were readily available because they are already active in social media. Thematic analysis was used in data analysis while the Social Identity Theory (SIT) was utilised as the theoretical framework to interpret the findings. Findings: Four themes were used to cluster the findings, namely self-categorization, social identification, perceived positive social identity and self-esteem restoration. The findings highlighted the role of social media in perpetuating the stereotypes which is traced to the slavery; and then highlight how the social media is used to reverse the systematic oppression of the Black women based on their hair. They also revealed that positive representations of Black hair on social media creates an attitude of self-acceptance and empowerment among Black women. Similarly, social media provides a space for Black women to connect, discuss their hair and share hair care tips, fostering a sense of belonging within the community. However, this study identified a gap in representation, as there tends to be an overrepresentation of one specific hair texture, leaving some Black women with limited or no representation, mainly those wearing dreadlocks. Unique Contribution to the theory, practice, and policy: The research makes a unique contribution by highlighting the importance of diverse representation in South African advertisements and social media marketing for hair products, as Black women’s hair textures and journeys are not a monolith. The findings concomitantly highlight the role of social media celebrities and/or social media influencers in the social media regarding the matter under investigation from the perspective of South African women. The study also noted the need for awareness and education about the cultural and historical significance of Black hair to reduce cultural appropriation. The findings further highlight the human rights element regarding the discrimination faced by Black women due to their hair texture, this knowledge may contribute to creating inclusivity in both society and social media spaces.

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Section: Theoretical Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Theoretical Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Contribution of Social Media in Shaping Self-Perceptions: A Case of Black Women

Nkuna

2024

IJHSS

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“…Hair and hairstyles have been reported as an important aspect of beauty, confidence, and self-identity. 11 , 19 Hairstyle choice is a response to numerous factors including individual perception of beauty and its relation to dominant beauty standards. Therefore, those who believe straightened hair is “good hair” or beautiful may choose to change their natural hair in pursuit of this beauty ideal.…”

Section: Natural Hair and Mental Healthmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Person Beneath the Hair: Hair Discrimination, Health, and Well-Being

Nkimbeng,

Malaika Rumala,

Richardson

et al. 2023

Health Equity

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Discrimination toward black hair is pervasive in today's society. Hair discrimination is negative bias manifested toward black natural or textured hair styles typically worn by persons of African descent. This commentary discusses the potential effects of hair discrimination on the health and well-being of persons of African descent. Specifically, it explores the mental and physical health implications of hair discrimination and situates it within the broader context of social determinants of health. The Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair Act has been recently passed in the United States House of Representatives, but more work is needed to eliminate hair discrimination and its negative effects.

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“…With the increased use of virtual outlets, digital communities of women with natural hair have emerged throughout the Diaspora. These support and informative groups' contributions to raising Black women's self‐esteem have been abundantly documented (Davis et al., 2019; Gill, 2015; Jacobs & Kelemi, 2020; Maynard & Jules, 2021; Neil & Mbilishaka, 2019). Countless TV shows have encouraged Black girls to embrace their natural curls and have inculcated hair pride from an early age in the past 2 decades.…”

Section: Contemporary Challenges Contemporary Hair Communitiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Historicizing black hair politics: A framework for contextualizing race politics

Greensword

2022

Sociology Compass

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In this article, I chronicle the ways in which Black women's hair has been used not only to exert political oppression and dominance, but also to resist alienation in the Americas.Whether covered during field labor, groomed on Saturday evenings, celebrated on Sunday, arranged as prestigious imitation in the "Big House," braided into secret codes in Colombia, shaved as punishment, or denied all exhibition under the tignon laws in Louisiana, hair has been weaponized to control, hypersexualize, and de-feminize Black women for centuries. More recently, there has been a resurgence of natural hairstyles, which has been abundantly documented in sociology and anthropology. However, this trend has been countered by restrictive policies that insist on standardizing Whiteness as the norm of hair structures. Drawing on studies of race and hair across multiple periods of Pan-American history, this article argues that in more ways than one, Black hair is, and has always been, political.

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Natural hair chronicles of black female vloggers: Influences on their psychological well-being

Cited by 6 publications

References 11 publications

Contribution of Social Media in Shaping Self-Perceptions: A Case of Black Women

Contribution of Social Media in Shaping Self-Perceptions: A Case of Black Women

The Person Beneath the Hair: Hair Discrimination, Health, and Well-Being

Historicizing black hair politics: A framework for contextualizing race politics

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