Hair is more than just something on our heads, it is tied to who we are. For a lot of people, hair reflects their culture, beliefs, and identity. Some folks can style their hair however they want without thinking twice. But others face judgment, pressure, or even discrimination just for wearing their natural hair or traditional styles.

Hair and identity

Hair can mean a lot in different cultures. In many African communities, styles like braids, twists, and locks have been around for centuries, displaying your background or status. The National Library of Medicine mentions that through slavery, Black people were required to cover their hair or adopt grooming practices that emulated White/Eurocentric beauty standards. Today, more people are embracing natural hair, but bias still exists.

• In Indigenous cultures, long hair is often seen as sacred and a way to stay connected to one’s roots. In the past, children in residential schools were forced to cut their hair as part of efforts to erase their culture. Now, many proudly wear their hair long again.
• For Sikhs, not cutting their hair is part of their faith. They often wear turbans as a sign of respect for that belief. But in some places, people don’t understand this and treat them unfairly.
• Braids are also meaningful in many Latin American and Indigenous communities, with different styles passed down through generations. Still, many people from these cultures feel pressure to straighten their hair to fit in at work or school.
• In East Asian countries, long, straight hair has been a common beauty ideal. But in places like Japan and South Korea, schools and jobs have had strict rules about hair color and style, even forcing students to prove their natural hair isn’t dyed.

Hair Discrimination

Sadly, people still get judged or punished because of their hair. Black students have been suspended for wearing locs or Afros. Indigenous kids have been told to cut their long hair. Sikh men have been pressured to take off their turbans.

Often, what’s seen as “professional” is based on white, Eurocentric beauty standards. Natural curls, braids, and other cultural hairstyles are sometimes labeled as “messy” or “unprofessional,” which can impact someone’s job or education.

In 2015, actress Zendaya arrived at the 2015 Academy Awards with her hair flowing in dreadlocks. A host of E!’s commented that she looked like she “smelled like patchouli oil or weed". Zendaya responded to this by sharing, “it made me think, how could I always have a lasting impact on what people saw and associated with people of color?” This led to broader conversations surrounding discrimination against hairstyles and helped build momentum for the CROWN Act.

Some laws, like the CROWN Act, are trying to change this by banning hair discrimination, though many places still have rules that are not inclusive to all.

Hair as power

For many, hair is also a form of resistance. Choosing to wear natural curls, braids, or uncut hair can be a powerful way to say, “This is who I am.” It’s a way to stand up to unfair beauty standards and reclaim cultural pride.

Everyone deserves hair freedom

In the end, your hair should be your choice. Whether it’s straight or curly, dyed or natural, braided, long, short, or shaved - it should be respected. Accepting different hair types and styles helps build a more inclusive and fair world for everyone.