Heritage Washing
Meaning ❉ Heritage Washing is the decontextualized commodification of cultural practices, especially textured hair traditions, often without equitable benefit to originating communities.
Meaning ❉ Cultural Integrity, within the understanding of textured hair, represents the mindful upholding of distinct heritage and scientific realities governing Black and mixed hair types. This principle involves the conscious recognition and respectful application of knowledge concerning the inherent characteristics and historical provenance of our coils, curls, and waves. Hair care systematization, then, becomes a deliberate codification of routines that honor ancestral wisdom alongside contemporary scientific insight, ensuring each strand receives attention aligned with its unique physiological needs. Practical application manifests as informed implementation, where styling choices and product selections are made with careful discernment for the hair’s natural inclinations and its cultural significance. This approach upholds the dignity of one’s hair lineage while adapting to modern life, ensuring every routine builds upon a foundation of respect for what the hair naturally is.