| Throughout the decades, the social significance of | | | | conform to Western society and their hairstyles or go |
| black hairstyles has remained a relevant part of black | | | | for the more natural look. During the late sixties, the |
| history. Unlike other American cultural trends, black | | | | "Afro" and more traditional ways of wearing one's hair |
| hairstyles represent a significant history and pride | | | | made a debut. The image of freedom and pride led |
| amongst black women. Where else does one's self | | | | the movement for the El Natural look. But it was just |
| worth and self image play such a high role in society? | | | | that, a trend, that came and went; and in the near |
| When black women enter the salon for a new hairdo, | | | | future; will most likely come again. However, since that |
| many times they must look at the "whole picture"; | | | | time, more black women have opted for hairstyles that |
| considering the social message that they will be | | | | are "Americanized" and project the societal views of |
| sending when walking out of the salon and into black | | | | beautiful hair. Nothing is more evident of this trend than |
| society. | | | | the huge amounts of money spent yearly on black |
| Since the 1400's, when slaves were brought to the | | | | hairstyles at various salons. |
| "New World," they were made to change their | | | | Today, a black woman may spend hundreds of dollars |
| hairstyles to more traditional European standards. This | | | | at a salon every week, striving to achieve that perfect |
| included the use of herbs and botanicals that relaxed | | | | hairstyle. Even in the poorest of neighborhoods, hair |
| their coarse hair, giving the appearance of finer hair. | | | | salons and barbershops that cater to black hair are still |
| Throughout slave times, black women grown | | | | thriving. So are these black women abandoning their |
| accustomed to their European counterparts wore their | | | | cultural history and giving into the white man's ways? |
| hair straightened, combed, and parted. Since that time, | | | | Most black women say "no", it's not a matter of history |
| black women have often been ridiculed for their | | | | or culture, but a matter of looking good and feeling |
| choices regarding their hair. | | | | good about one's self. |
| In modern day times, black women must choose to | | | | |