Meaning ❉ The Casta System, historically, was a social hierarchy based on perceived purity of bloodlines, a framework that regrettably extended its influence to how human features, including hair textures, were categorized and valued. Within the context of textured hair understanding, this system provides a lens through which to observe the historical imposition of Eurocentric beauty standards. For individuals with Black or mixed-race hair, this often meant a societal devaluation of their natural curl patterns and coil types, leading to a legacy of systemic biases in product development and care practices. This historical delineation of worth, based on superficial phenotypic markers, has long impacted the systematization of hair routines, often pushing individuals towards methods that alter rather than honor their natural hair structure. Acknowledging these historical currents allows us to approach practical application of hair knowledge with greater sensitivity, encouraging a conscious shift towards routines that prioritize the unique needs of diverse curl formations. Understanding this past helps in recalibrating our present approaches, ensuring every strand receives its due consideration, free from inherited judgments.
