Black hair is political, and it has always been so in the United States of America. The history of Black hair in this country is complex. Black women in politics represent the range of Black beauty on the national stage. This is something that was not always possible, thanks to racist restrictions.
It might seem like a small thing to some, but there’s nothing trivial about it. There have been formal laws on the books to control the way that Black women presented themselves in public spaces in the past.
Black Hair As Living History
Legislators passed Tigon laws in 1700s Louisiana “prohibited Creole women of color from displaying ‘excessive attention to dress’ in the streets of New Orleans,” according to the National Park Service. The “Black is Beautiful” movement celebrated the beauty of Black hair later in the 1960s and 1970s. People used Black hair imagery to loudly reject Eurocentric beauty standards. More recently in 2022 the CROWN (Create a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair) ACT was signed into law. This legislation helps prevent hair-based workplace discrimination for nearly half the states in the country.
Black women in politics choose how they show up in public spaces carefully. They know they are always subject to extreme scrutiny. Their access allows them to usher in a new standard of what it means to be Black, beautiful, and capable. Black women in politics use images of their curls, coils, braids, swoops, and coverings to make statements. They help tell the story of how far we have come in this nation with every appearance.
Sometimes, they challenge respectability politics by expanding on what people are used to seeing. Other times they exude a lightness and grace that many do not think Black women are capable of due to ignorant prejudices.
See some of our favorite hair looks from Black women in politics below.
1. Michelle’s Iconic Swoop
Source:Getty
Every Black girl remembers where they were when Michelle O came through with the swoop to end all swoops at the 2016 Democratic Convention. Our forever FLOTUS popped out with a drastic swoop over her eye. It was the perfect poised style for her shoulder-length shiny mane.
Later she turned to the swoop again at President Joseph Biden’s 2021 inauguration. This time, it was anchored by a cascade of long brown curls we couldn’t get enough of.
2. Stacey Abrams Tweeny Weeny Afro
Source:AB+DM Studio
Seeing a Black woman with a TWA be a serious contender for a gubernatorial race in the state of Georgia meant something. Young girls seeing candidates for the first time saw themselves and their families reflected in the short, soft coif. It not only suited her well, but it also made a strong statement.
3. Maxine Waters’ Classic Cut
Source:Getty
The California congresswoman serves church mother realness consistently. Her short, voluminous cut reflects the many women we grew up looking up to. It is dependent, elegant, and strong, just like her. We love the timeless style.
4. Jasmine Crockett’s Sharp Side Part
Source:Getty
Listen, there are three people you shouldn’t mess with: a woman with a side part, gals from Texas, and Delta Sigma Thetas. Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett is all three.
She delivers well-researched reads rocking a side part and fluttery lashes, proving that you can represent your community without sacrificing personal style. We love to see it!
5. Kamala Harris’ Signature Silk Press
Source:Getty
One of the things we will miss most about TikTok is the videos highlighting Kamala Harris’s hairstyle. The soon-to-be former Vice President is always sporting a sleek and smooth style. Creators assumed the key to her look was a flat iron or a curling wand. They actually added sizzling sounds to videos, imitating her frizz-free look.
Harris told Keke Palmer that the secret to the slick look was a round boar bristle brush, to which Palmer replied, “Now, what kind of magical round brush?”
We would like to know as well.
6. Ilhan Omar’s Beautiful Hijabs
Source:Getty
Ilhan Omar chooses to cover her hair with a hijab. She became the first person to do so after an 181-year ban on head coverings in the chamber was lifted for her six years ago. She represents many Black girls who want to practice their faith and fulfill their goals.
7. Ayanna Pressley’s Baldie
Source:Getty
Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley shook the table by legislating in Senegalese twists. The style inspired women to write her letters about the liberation they felt seeing her wear the style. Children wore tee shirts that said “My Congresswoman Wears Braids,” grateful for the chance to see themselves in Pressley. Later, she became a trailblazer in another way by sharing her experience with alopecia and advocating for the disease in the media by helping to remove the stigma.
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