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Natural Hair, Braids, Twists & Dreads

Dreadlocks is a hairstyle where the hair is washed but not combed and twisted while wet into tight braids or ringlets hanging down all sides...Most dreadlocks are usually intentionally formed; because of the variety of different hair textures, various methods are used to encourage the formation of locks such as backcombing.

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Natural hair is a new movement for women of color.  Natural hair is getting loud and proud...whether it be coily, curly, or just a little kinky, women across the continent are rocking natural hair like never before. All women are analyzed and judged on their appearance, but for African American women, it can be particularly challenging when choosing how to style their hair. We must either conform to the dominant societal notions, which dictate that straight hair is acceptable and attractive, or resist, and be labeled radical, unprofessional or ugly. 

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Natural Hair for women of color has gained traction in the last couple years. Hair is getting loud and proud and whether it be coily, curly, or just a little kinky, women across the continent are rocking natural hair like never before.Since the era of slavery, African Americans have been forced to yield to their oppressors’ European standards of beauty.

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The roots of dreadlocks can be trailed to the Rastafarians of Jamaica, and further, to Indian sages and yogis, but they have never been more popular or widespread than they are today. It is said that dreadlocks originated with these eastern holy men. Possessing nothing, renouncing the world and possessions (not even a comb) hence the inevitable dreadlocks. Dreadlocks get their name from Jamaican tradition. Those with ‘natty’ locks in their hair were to be dreaded, or feared.

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In order to assimilate into Corporate America, Women of Color camouflaged and manipulated their natural hair with chemical relaxers, flat iron, Chi irons and hot combs, spending hours maneuvering around a blow dryer or sitting in a salon chair for countless hours getting perms. However, Black women who are making the “transition” to natural hair more and more. For some, wearing our hair natural is an affirmation and presentation of our authentic selves. Others question whether or not doing so will slow or halt their career progress. However "Corporate America" is becoming more open to more corporate diversity-management programs.

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