Why Some Black Women Are Cutting Their Nose to Spite Their Face
Far too often, they are made to feel less than worthy.
For centuries, American society has pressured Black women to conform to Eurocentric beauty standards. A tiger cannot change its stripes any more than a leopard can change its spots. And people know it’s absurd to suggest either animal should. Yet, Black women are shown less consideration than a jungle cat. They regularly experience discrimination based on their physical appearance, as if they’re being graded against their proximity to whiteness. While some may view beauty standards as a frivolous matter, the widespread rejection many Black women experience has personal and professional consequences. Some feel they must physically alter themselves to be lovable, hirable, or socially acceptable.
One of the most common features Black women are pressured to change is their hair. Women of African descent typically have hair that can be described as curly, voluminous, and tightly coiled. Sadly, many feel they must straighten their hair using chemicals or heat. While Madam C. J. Walker (1867–1919), the first woman to become a self-made millionaire, is often credited with her contributions to black hair care, such as developing hair straightening treatments and improving the design of the hot comb, it’s also true that her beauty…
