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Colonial Legacy

Meaning ❉ Colonial Legacy, within the gentle realm of textured hair understanding, denotes the enduring influence of historical power dynamics that shaped beauty constructs and care practices for Black and mixed-race hair across the diaspora. This legacy often manifested as a devaluation of natural hair patterns, leading to systemic biases that impacted the growth of knowledge about diverse curl and coil structures. It also influenced the systematization of hair care, where product formulations and routine principles often prioritized altering rather than affirming intrinsic hair qualities, sometimes limiting access to bio-structurally appropriate solutions. Consequently, the practical application of hair care became a space where individuals balanced societal pressures with their hair’s unique needs, sometimes relying on methods that contradicted its inherent design. Acknowledging this

A black and white photograph reveals a seated young woman having white cream meticulously applied to her coiled hair. Two women watch from behind, with a fourth woman standing at a distance. This scene illustrates a traditional hair care ritual, emphasizing holistic wellness, community, and ancestral heritage within Black hair practices.

Hair Discrimination Kenya

Meaning ❉ Hair discrimination in Kenya refers to prejudice and unfair treatment against individuals with textured hair or protective styles, rooted in colonial beauty standards.
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Six abstract floral forms exhibit a play of shadow, texture, and botanical rhythm. Their complex petal structure, reminiscent of unfolding coils, evoke ideas of ancestral roots, natural growth, and wellness inherent in holistic hair care practices. These elements offer contemplation of textured hair's intrinsic elegance.

Colorism in Caribbean

Meaning ❉ Colorism in the Caribbean is a prejudice based on skin tone and hair texture, a direct result of colonial hierarchies and slavery's impact.
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Close-up black and white portrait focuses on a woman with short, wet-styled textured hair. Shadowing emphasizes her features, enhancing sleek, sculpted waves against her skin. The one-shoulder dress underscores the smooth skin, offering visual contrast, highlighting her form and her heritage, embodying modern beauty standards through ancestral roots.

Colorism Peru

Meaning ❉ Colorism in Peru is a socio-historical hierarchy valuing lighter skin and Eurocentric features, deeply influencing perceptions of beauty and opportunity, especially for textured hair.
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A black and white close-up showcases a model’s sleek, sculpted bob hairstyle, reflecting light with precision. Her satin top complements the vintage-inspired form of her coiffure, emphasizing symmetry and high-fashion aesthetic. Shadow and light sculpt her face, highlighting strong features and healthy sheen of the textured hair.

Postcolonialism

Meaning ❉ Postcolonialism examines the enduring impacts of colonialism on identity, culture, and beauty, particularly within textured hair heritage.
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Striking black and white portrait showcases a woman with short, platinum blonde coils. The image highlights her symmetrical face and the interplay of light on her skin and textured hair. The black turtleneck contrasts with her blonde hair and fair skin tones. A study in contrast and texture.

Racismo Capilar

Meaning ❉ Racismo Capilar is the systemic discrimination against individuals based on their hair texture or style, rooted in historical Eurocentric beauty standards.
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