# What Is the Historical Reason for Textured Hair Discrimination? ❉ Question

**Published:** 2025-06-14
**Author:** Roothea
**Categories:** Question

---

![The portrait of this Black woman radiates cultural pride, her textured hair styled in a braided crown beneath a striking headwrap, symbolizes her rich heritage. Her expression is one of quiet strength, reflective of holistic beauty, wellness, and the enduring legacy expressed through her hair](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/elegant-black-woman-with-braided-crown-wearing-headwrap-portrait-black-and-white.jpg)

![The photograph explores the intersection of identity and heritage as seen through the texture of Black hair, the portrait inspires contemplation on ancestral connections and the rich legacy of hair care traditions while illuminating the individual](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/striking-portrait-of-a-young-black-man-with-coiled-textured-hair.jpg)

## Roots

Across generations, hair has stood as a living archive, a scroll unrolling the annals of identity, communal bonds, and ancestral wisdom. For individuals rooted in Black and mixed-race heritage, textured hair, in its myriad forms, tells stories of resilience, beauty, and unwavering spirit. Yet, within the very fibers of its history resides a profound question: What is the historical reason for [textured hair](/area/textured-hair/) discrimination?

This query reaches beyond mere aesthetic preferences; it touches upon profound societal structures that have sought to diminish a foundational aspect of self for centuries. The answer lies not in an inherent flaw within the coil or kink, but in deliberate, systemic efforts to subjugate and erase a vibrant cultural legacy.

![This image presents the cultural practices and indigenous beauty of a Mursi woman, emphasizing the symbolism of her unique tribal adornments. It is a visual exploration of identity and ancestral traditions, highlighting the intricate beauty of the Mursi people](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/mursi-woman-black-and-white-portrait-lip-plate-tribal-adornment.jpg)

## Textured Hair Physiology and Ancestral Understanding

To truly grasp the roots of discrimination, one must first recognize the unique biological artistry of textured hair itself. Its helical form, often appearing flattened or elliptical in cross-section, contributes to its distinct coiling patterns. This differs from the rounder, straighter shafts common in other hair types. These structural differences, while purely anatomical, became fodder for racialized interpretations.

Historically, in ancient African civilizations, hair was far more than a biological outgrowth; it was a potent symbolic tool. It communicated lineage, spiritual convictions, communal standing, and marital status. Hairdressers were revered artisans, their hands weaving not just strands, but histories, into intricate designs.

> Textured hair discrimination finds its genesis in the dehumanizing narratives of colonialism and the transatlantic slave trade, systematically dismantling pre-existing cultural reverence for Black hair.
Consider the Wolof, Mende, and Yoruba peoples, for whom specific styles conveyed messages that transcended spoken language, acting as a visual lexicon of community and individual journey. This deep, symbolic connection made hair a primary target for those seeking to dismantle African identities. European colonizers, driven by a so-called ‘civilizing mission,’ classified Afro-textured hair as closer to animal fur or wool, a deliberate act of dehumanization that validated enslavement and exploitation. This perception, devoid of scientific basis, was a cornerstone of justifying oppression. 

![The photograph captures the essence of confidence in Black beauty, featuring a woman with intricately braided hair. Her expressive eyes convey resilience, mirroring the rich cultural legacy woven into her protective hairstyle, honoring ancestral techniques and celebrating the artistic expression found in Black hair traditions](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/bold-black-woman-with-braided-protective-style-asserting-natural-beauty.jpg)

## Hair Classification and Its Troubling Origins

The very systems of hair classification, seemingly objective, bear the imprints of historical bias. Early scientific attempts to categorize human hair often reflected and reinforced prevailing racial hierarchies. For instance, the terms ‘cymotrichous’ for wavy hair, ‘leiotrichous’ for straight hair, and ‘ulotrichous’ for woolly or kinky hair, though appearing neutral, were deeply embedded in the racial typologies of the time. Such classifications, while claiming scientific detachment, contributed to the othering of textured hair by associating it with perceived ‘primitive’ or ‘inferior’ groups. 

Historically, the African continent boasts a kaleidoscope of hair textures, defying simplistic categorization. These variations, from tightly coiled 4C hair to looser curl patterns, all possess inherent strength and beauty. Yet, the dominant European gaze often flattened this diversity into a single, denigrated category.

This distortion allowed for the establishment of a hierarchy that elevated European hair textures as the ideal, making anything deviating from that norm appear ‘bad’ or ‘unprofessional’. This laid the groundwork for discriminatory practices that persist in many corners of the world even today.

![A striking black and white composition celebrates heritage, showcasing elongated spiral pattern achieved via threading, a testament to ancestral hair traditions, emphasizing holistic hair care, self-expression, and intricate styling within narratives of Black hair traditions and mixed-race hair narratives.](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/portrait-of-woman-with-low-porosity-spirals-in-madras-head-wrap.jpg)

![This striking black and white portrait celebrates natural hair expression through intricate cornrow designs styled into tight coils. The image echoes historical braiding traditions, elevated by contemporary styling and sharp makeup, merging ancestral artistry with modern aesthetics and showcasing the beauty and versatility of Black hair traditions](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/elegant-cornrows-and-defined-edges-portrait-showing-natural-hair-artistry.jpg)

## Ritual

The historical arc of [textured hair discrimination](/area/textured-hair-discrimination/) bends sharply with the advent of the transatlantic slave trade, fundamentally disrupting the rich rituals and cultural practices that defined [African hair](/area/african-hair/) heritage. The journey across the Middle Passage marked a deliberate severing from ancestral traditions, transforming hair from a source of pride and identity into a target of subjugation. Enslaved Africans, upon arrival in the New World, frequently endured forced head shaves, an act purportedly for sanitation yet truly serving as a brutal method of cultural erasure and humiliation. This act stripped individuals of a profound visual language, disconnecting them from their tribal identities, familial ties, and spiritual symbolism. 

![This serene black and white study celebrates the beauty of coiled hair styles in its youthful form, with artful braids and thread wrapping. The girl](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/black-and-white-portrait-of-a-young-girl-with-coiled-hair-braids.jpg)

## Protective Styling and Ancestral Ingenuity

In pre-colonial Africa, hair styling was a communal art, a shared experience that reinforced bonds and transmitted knowledge across generations. Techniques like braiding, twisting, and coiling were not just aesthetic choices; they served practical purposes of protection from the elements and signified various life stages or social roles. For example, the Yoruba people utilized “Irun Kiko,” a form of hair threading, as a means of care and a sign of good fortune. 

Despite the devastating conditions of slavery, where traditional tools and products were systematically denied, enslaved people found ingenious ways to maintain aspects of their hair heritage. They improvised with readily available materials, using butter, kerosene, or even bacon grease for conditioning, and crafting combs from bones or metal scraps. This perseverance, this continuation of care despite overwhelming adversity, stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of their ancestral practices. 

- **Rice Seeds** ❉ Enslaved women, particularly rice farmers, braided rice seeds into their hair, not only as a survival tactic for sustenance but also as a way to preserve a piece of their homeland’s culture.

- **Cornrows as Maps** ❉ It is speculated that intricate cornrow patterns were sometimes used to convey coded messages, even serving as maps for escape routes from plantations.

- **Headscarves** ❉ Initially used for protection against sun and lice, headscarves or ‘tignons’ later became mandated in places like Louisiana through laws like the Tignon Law of 1786, which forced Black women to cover their hair as a sign of their enslaved status. Yet, these women transformed the regulation into a form of resistance, adorning the plain coverings with vibrant colors and elaborate arrangements, reclaiming agency and beauty.

![This evocative portrait celebrates the beauty and complexity of natural Afro-textured hair, emphasizing coiled structures while highlighting the intrinsic link between hair and heritage. The nuanced monochromatic tones amplify the child](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/monochrome-portrait-of-a-young-person-with-afro-textured-curly-coiled-hair.jpg)

## The Normalization of European Hair Standards

Post-slavery, the struggle for acceptance continued. Derogatory attitudes towards natural [Black hair](/area/black-hair/) persisted, deeply tied to the prevailing [Eurocentric beauty standards](/area/eurocentric-beauty-standards/) that deemed straight, smooth hair as the ideal of “civility” and “respectability”. This societal pressure led to widespread adoption of methods to alter hair texture, mimicking European appearances. The popularity of hot combs in the late 19th century and chemical relaxers in the 20th century allowed Black individuals to straighten their hair, often seen as a necessary adaptation for social and economic advancement. 

This historical trajectory created a hierarchy of hair types within Black communities themselves, where lighter skin tones and straighter hair were often favored, a social construct known as [texturism](/area/texturism/) and colorism. This internal division, a painful legacy of the oppressor’s beauty standards, continues to challenge notions of self-acceptance and natural beauty. The industry built around hair straightening, exemplified by figures like Madam C.J. Walker, provided economic opportunities for Black entrepreneurs but also solidified the pursuit of Eurocentric hair ideals. 

![Embracing the ancestral heritage of holistic hair care, clear water enriches fenugreek seeds, releasing their potent benefits. This ancient ingredient nourishes Black hair traditions and mixed-race hair narratives, promoting expressive styling and resilient formations for generations](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/fenugreek-seeds-being-dosed-with-water-drops-close-up-black-and-white.jpg)

![The portrait embodies a contemporary aesthetic, highlighting the beauty and versatility of textured hair within an elegant framework. The contrast of light and shadow creates an evocative image, celebrating both minimalist design and the rich heritage expressed through coil formations in Black hair traditions, reflecting an interplay between modern styling and ancestral roots](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/elegant-portrait-woman-textured-hair-high-bun-minimalist-composition-black-white.jpg)

## Relay

The [historical discrimination](/area/historical-discrimination/) against textured hair is a complex phenomenon, rooted deeply in the ideological structures of [colonialism](/area/colonialism/) and slavery. These systems actively sought to eradicate native cultures, histories, and identities, substituting them with European norms. This systematic policing of Black hair ensures that Black identity remains categorized as ‘abnormal’ by dominant societal standards, revealing persistent forces of anti-Blackness. Understanding this requires scrutinizing the scientific, social, and economic threads that have perpetuated this discrimination. 

![This black and white study captures the intricate details of shea nuts, revered in African ancestral traditions, emphasizing their potential to hydrate and rejuvenate textured hair, celebrating the beauty and resilience of coil formations while drawing on holistic ingredients from nature’s pharmacy.](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/black-and-white-study-of-shea-nut-seeds-for-textured-hair-elixir.jpg)

## What Were the Pseudo-Scientific Justifications for Textured Hair Discrimination?

During the colonial era, European explorers and pseudo-scientists fabricated data to support claims of African inferiority, aiming to rationalize the exploitation of African peoples. This extended to biological descriptions of hair. Naturalist Ernst Haeckel, for example, devised taxonomic categories classifying “wooly-haired” humans, including “fleecy-haired” Africans, directly linking [hair texture](/area/hair-texture/) to a perceived lower rung on a racial hierarchy. These classifications were not benign observations; they were tools to justify subjugation.

While modern science recognizes the diversity of [hair morphology](/area/hair-morphology/) across human populations, acknowledging differences in cross-section (e.g. flatter for African hair, rounder for Asian hair), diameter (African hair typically finer), and growth rate (African hair grows slower due to its spiral structure), these characteristics are purely biological and bear no relation to intelligence, capability, or inherent worth. The historical misinterpretation and weaponization of these biological facts stand as a stark example of how science can be twisted to serve discriminatory agendas.

> The concept of “good hair” versus “bad hair” is a direct consequence of colonial efforts to enforce Eurocentric beauty ideals, creating internal division within communities of color.
Consider the pervasive idea of “good hair” versus “bad hair,” a narrative birthed during slavery and sustained post-emancipation. “Good hair” became synonymous with straight, European-like textures, while “bad hair” described natural coils and kinks. This concept, insidious in its simplicity, created a painful internalized prejudice within Black communities, linking hair texture to social standing and perceived desirability. 

![This black and white study captures a young girl](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/young-girl-with-voluminous-afro-textured-hair-black-and-white-portrait.jpg)

## How Did Legislation and Social Structures Perpetuate Hair Bias?

Beyond informal social pressure, discrimination against textured hair was codified into social structures and even legislation. Laws like the [Tignon Law](/area/tignon-law/) in 18th-century Louisiana mandated that free women of color cover their hair in public, an attempt to visually enforce their supposed inferior status and prevent them from competing with white women in appearance. While the women cleverly subverted this law through elaborate adornments, the intent of the legislation was clear: to control and diminish. 

Even after the abolishment of slavery, tools like “The Comb Test” in the US and “The Pencil Test” during Apartheid in South Africa served as racialized barriers to advancement. An organization might hang a fine-tooth comb, barring entry to those whose hair could not be easily combed, subtly enforcing conformity to Eurocentric standards. Such practices demonstrate how the discrimination was not merely anecdotal but embedded within institutional gatekeeping. 

The modern [natural hair](/area/natural-hair/) movement, a resurgence of the “Black Is Beautiful” sentiment from the 1960s, directly confronts these historical biases. Activists like Angela Davis and organizations like the Black Panther Party embraced the Afro as a powerful political statement, a symbol of Black power and a rejection of white American beauty standards. This period marked a crucial shift where natural hair transformed from a perceived problem into a symbol of pride and resistance. 

More recently, the CROWN Act (Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair) legislation, first introduced in California in 2019, aims to prohibit race-based [hair discrimination](/area/hair-discrimination/) in workplaces and schools. This legal development acknowledges the deep historical roots of such discrimination and attempts to provide systemic protection for individuals choosing to wear their hair in its natural state or in protective styles like braids, locs, or twists. The need for such legislation underscores the lasting impact of historical prejudice, moving beyond individual bias to address institutionalized discrimination. 

- **Social Standing Markers** ❉ In ancient Africa, hairstyles conveyed a person’s family history, social class, spiritual beliefs, tribal affiliation, and marital status.

- **Dehumanization Tool** ❉ European colonizers deliberately misclassified Afro-textured hair as akin to animal fur, using this false premise to rationalize enslavement and exploitation.

- **Forced Assimilation** ❉ During the transatlantic slave trade, head shaving and the denial of traditional grooming tools aimed to strip enslaved Africans of their cultural identity.

- **Economic Impediment** ❉ Post-slavery, discriminatory practices like “The Comb Test” directly restricted economic and social mobility for Black individuals whose hair did not conform to Eurocentric ideals.

- **Resilience and Reclamation** ❉ The natural hair movement, from the 1960s to the present, represents a continuous act of resistance, self-love, and reclamation of ancestral beauty standards.

![The black and white tonality enhances the subjects](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/mother-and-daughter-holding-plant-stems-sunlight-black-and-white-portrait.jpg)

![The black and white treatment amplifies the subject’s strong features and distinctive coiled textured hair, celebrating Black hair traditions and modern self-expression through styling. Light and shadow define her gaze, inviting a connection and deeper contemplation on beauty and identity](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/striking-black-and-white-portrait-of-woman-with-coiled-textured-hair.jpg)

## Reflection

The echoes of distant shores still whisper through the coils and strands, reminding us that textured hair discrimination is not some recent phenomenon. It is a legacy, deeply etched by centuries of colonial imposition and the brutal dehumanization of the transatlantic slave trade. The systematic dismantling of ancestral beauty, the calculated severing of hair from identity, and the persistent enforcement of a narrow, Eurocentric aesthetic ❉ these actions built the very foundation of this prejudice. Yet, within this historical sorrow resides a luminous truth: the enduring spirit of textured hair, and the heritage it carries, simply refused to be erased.

It lives, a testament to unyielding resilience, a vibrant archive of survival and reclamation. Every coil, every strand, continues to tell a story of defiance, beauty, and unwavering connection to a rich past, inviting us to honor its profound lineage and the liberation it represents.

![With meticulous care, the child etches designs in the sand, their Fulani braids a testament to ancestral heritage and protective styling traditions. Sebaceous balance and high-density coil care are subtly present, a tender depiction of self-expression within Black Hair Traditions through art and cultural roots](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/childs-artistry-fulani-braids-sebaceous-balance-black-hair-beach-heritage.jpg)

![A tender gesture of ancestral hair care traditions, captured in monochrome, showcases the application of natural ingredients, symbolizing heritage and wellness. This image honors cultural practices while nurturing tightly coiled textures, fostering self-love and communal connection with time-honored Black hair traditions](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/intimate-moment-of-heritage-hair-care-black-hair-traditions-and-ancestry.jpg)

## References

- Omotos, A. (2018). The Journal of Pan African Studies, “African Hairstyles and the Dreaded Colonial Legacy.”

- Banks, I. (2000). Hair (Political, Social, and Cultural Studies of Gender and Sexuality). New York University Press.

- Patton, T. O. (2006). “Hey Girl, Am I More Than My Hair? African American Women and Their Struggles with Eurocentric Hair.” The Western Journal of Black Studies.

- Tharps, L. & Byrd, A. (2001). Hair Story: Untangling the Roots of Black Hair in America. St. Martin’s Press.

- Johnson, K. & Bankhead, D. (2014). “The Importance of Hair to the Identity of Black People.” International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction.

- Fanon, F. (1967). Black Skin, White Masks. Grove Press. (Referenced in Parris, 2015)

- Parris, C. (2015). “The Regulation of Black Hair and the Ideological Structure of Colonialism.” Race, Ethnicity and Education.

## Glossary

### [Transatlantic Slave Trade](https://roothea.co/area/transatlantic-slave-trade/)

Meaning ❉ The Transatlantic Slave Trade represents a deeply impactful historical period, where the forced displacement of African peoples significantly altered the lineage of textured hair understanding.

### [Beauty Standards](https://roothea.co/area/beauty-standards/)

Meaning ❉ Beauty Standards often describe societal ideals dictating what is considered appealing, particularly concerning appearance.

### [Madam C.J. Walker](https://roothea.co/area/madam-c-j-walker/)

Meaning ❉ Madam C.J.

### [Historical Discrimination](https://roothea.co/area/historical-discrimination/)

Meaning ❉ Historical Discrimination, when considering textured hair, describes the enduring, systemic patterns of disadvantage and unequal treatment directed towards individuals, particularly those with Black and mixed-race hair.

### [Hair Morphology](https://roothea.co/area/hair-morphology/)

Meaning ❉ Hair Morphology refers to the study of hair's physical structure, from its root within the scalp to the very tip.

### [Ancestral Hair Care](https://roothea.co/area/ancestral-hair-care/)

Meaning ❉ Ancestral Hair Care describes the thoughtful reception and contemporary application of time-honored practices and deep understanding concerning Black and mixed-race textured hair, passed through generations.

### [Hair Classification Systems](https://roothea.co/area/hair-classification-systems/)

Meaning ❉ Hair Classification Systems gently present a grounding structure for discerning the unique characteristics inherent to textured hair, particularly for those with Black and mixed-race heritage.

### [Protective Hairstyles](https://roothea.co/area/protective-hairstyles/)

Meaning ❉ Protective Hairstyles represent a deliberate styling approach for textured hair, particularly for Black and mixed-race hair, engineered to safeguard delicate strands from daily manipulation and external elements.

### [African Hair Traditions](https://roothea.co/area/african-hair-traditions/)

Meaning ❉ African Hair Traditions signify the enduring legacy of hair care customs and styling practices established across generations within African and diasporic communities.

### [Hair Discrimination](https://roothea.co/area/hair-discrimination/)

Meaning ❉ Hair Discrimination, a subtle yet impactful bias, refers to the differential and often unfavorable treatment of individuals based on the natural characteristics or chosen styles of their hair, especially those textures and forms historically worn by Black and mixed-race persons.

## Explore Your Heritage

### [What Historical Laws Relate to Textured Hair Discrimination?](https://roothea.co/question/what-historical-laws-relate-to-textured-hair-discrimination/)
![The woman](https://roothea.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/elegant-woman-with-sculpted-natural-hair-updo-in-black-and-white.jpg)

### [Can Celebrating Traditional Hair Practices Challenge Modern Discrimination?](https://roothea.co/question/can-celebrating-traditional-hair-practices-challenge-modern-discrimination/)
![The stoic portrait of a young Maasai person with beaded adornments and distinct tribal scalp markings showcases deep ancestral heritage, reflecting Black Hair Traditions and expressive styling within holistic care, celebrating the cultural identity in intricate beaded work and sebaceous balance.](https://roothea.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/maasai-youth-adorned-beads-traditional-hair-design-cultural-significance.jpg)

### [What Is the Biological Reason Palm Oil Aids Textured Hair?](https://roothea.co/question/what-is-the-biological-reason-palm-oil-aids-textured-hair/)
![Rosemary](https://roothea.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/rosemary-herb-bundle-black-and-white-image-for-textured-hair-formulations.jpg)

### [What Is the Biological Reason for Textured Hair’s Coil?](https://roothea.co/question/what-is-the-biological-reason-for-textured-hairs-coil-2/)
![This contemplative portrait captures the essence of individual expression through textured hair, blending a bold undercut design with natural coil formations to explore themes of self-love and empowerment. The high contrast monochrome palette enhances the dramatic flair, rooted in holistic practices, honoring Black hair traditions and its expressive cultural heritage.](https://roothea.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/monochrome-portrait-of-a-woman-with-intricate-textured-hairstyle-and-undercut.jpg)

### [What Historical Legislation Protected Textured Hair from Discrimination?](https://roothea.co/question/what-historical-legislation-protected-textured-hair-from-discrimination/)
![The dramatic interplay of light and shadow in this monochrome portrait enhances the structural beauty of the braided crown hairstyle, paying homage to the timeless artistry within Black hair traditions and the enduring expression of identity and holistic hair care.](https://roothea.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/monochrome-portrait-of-black-woman-with-braided-crown-hairstyle-elegance.jpg)

### [Anti-Black Hair Discrimination](https://roothea.co/term/anti-black-hair-discrimination/)
![This black and white photograph captures the essence of natural afro textured hair, celebrating its springy coil formation and intricate beauty. Emphasizing its coil texture, the portrait embodies strength and confidence, promoting positive self-image and highlighting the importance of ancestral heritage and expressive styling within diverse hair narratives.](https://roothea.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/elegant-portrait-of-a-woman-with-afro-textured-hair-in-black-and-white.jpg)

### [How Do Historical Practices with Botanicals Preserve Hair Elasticity in Textured Hair?](https://roothea.co/question/how-do-historical-practices-with-botanicals-preserve-hair-elasticity-in-textured-hair/)
![A seed pod](https://roothea.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/botanical-cross-section-of-seed-pod-revealing-textured-seed-patterns.jpg)

### [How Does the CROWN Act Define Hair Discrimination?](https://roothea.co/question/how-does-the-crown-act-define-hair-discrimination/)
![The repetitive arrangement of bamboo stalks, accentuated by light and shadow, creates a visually captivating texture, resonating with the interwoven narrative of heritage. These stalks mirror the strength found in traditional hair care philosophies, reflecting holistic approaches to textured hair health and expressiveness.](https://roothea.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/abstract-bamboo-texture-demonstrating-natural-patterns-of-growth-and.jpg)

### [How Did Hair Discrimination Legislation Shape Black Hair Heritage?](https://roothea.co/question/how-did-hair-discrimination-legislation-shape-black-hair-heritage/)
![The monochrome tones accentuate the beauty and resilience in her tightly coiled hair, a textured crown that reflects a powerful legacy. Light and shadow sculpt a portrait that invites contemplation on ancestral roots, identity expression, and the art of holistic hair care traditions.](https://roothea.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/monochrome-portrait-of-a-woman-showcasing-defined-coiled-textured-hair.jpg)

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            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/african-hair/",
            "name": "African Hair",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/african-hair/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ African Hair identifies the diverse spectrum of natural hair structures primarily observed within populations of African lineage, characterized by distinctive curl formations, ranging from gentle waves to tightly coiled patterns."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/eurocentric-beauty-standards/",
            "name": "Eurocentric Beauty Standards",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/eurocentric-beauty-standards/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Eurocentric beauty standards denote a historical leaning towards hair characteristics commonly found within European lineages, such as straightness, fineness, or gentle waves, alongside particular color and density ideals."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/black-hair/",
            "name": "Black Hair",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/black-hair/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Black Hair describes the spectrum of hair textures primarily found within communities of African heritage, recognized by its distinct curl patterns ❉ from expansive waves to tightly coiled formations ❉ and an often elliptical follicle shape, which fundamentally shapes its unique growth trajectory."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/texturism/",
            "name": "Texturism",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/texturism/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Texturism gently clarifies a particular bias observed within the vibrant spectrum of textured hair, often favoring curl patterns perceived as looser over those with tighter coils or dense curl formations."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/historical-discrimination/",
            "name": "Historical Discrimination",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/historical-discrimination/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Historical Discrimination, when considering textured hair, describes the enduring, systemic patterns of disadvantage and unequal treatment directed towards individuals, particularly those with Black and mixed-race hair."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/colonialism/",
            "name": "Colonialism",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/colonialism/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Colonialism, in the tender world of textured hair, speaks to the historical introduction of external aesthetic ideals and care practices that regrettably diminished the inherent beauty and structural integrity of natural Black and mixed hair textures."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/hair-texture/",
            "name": "Hair Texture",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/hair-texture/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Hair Texture identifies the inherent physical configuration of individual hair strands, from gentle waves to tightly coiled patterns, a fundamental characteristic for those with Black and mixed heritage hair."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/hair-morphology/",
            "name": "Hair Morphology",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/hair-morphology/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Hair Morphology refers to the study of hair's physical structure, from its root within the scalp to the very tip."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/tignon-law/",
            "name": "Tignon Law",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/tignon-law/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ The Tignon Law, enacted in 1786 in Spanish colonial Louisiana, mandated that free women of color conceal their hair with a tignon, or head covering."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/natural-hair/",
            "name": "Natural Hair",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/natural-hair/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Natural Hair describes hair that maintains its original structural configuration, untouched by chemical processes like relaxers, texturizers, or permanent color that alter its natural coil, curl, or wave definition."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/hair-discrimination/",
            "name": "Hair Discrimination",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/hair-discrimination/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Hair Discrimination, a subtle yet impactful bias, refers to the differential and often unfavorable treatment of individuals based on the natural characteristics or chosen styles of their hair, especially those textures and forms historically worn by Black and mixed-race persons."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/transatlantic-slave-trade/",
            "name": "Transatlantic Slave Trade",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/transatlantic-slave-trade/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ The Transatlantic Slave Trade represents a deeply impactful historical period, where the forced displacement of African peoples significantly altered the lineage of textured hair understanding."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/beauty-standards/",
            "name": "Beauty Standards",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/beauty-standards/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Beauty Standards often describe societal ideals dictating what is considered appealing, particularly concerning appearance."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/madam-c-j-walker/",
            "name": "Madam C.J. Walker",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/madam-c-j-walker/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Madam C.J."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/ancestral-hair-care/",
            "name": "Ancestral Hair Care",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/ancestral-hair-care/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Ancestral Hair Care describes the thoughtful reception and contemporary application of time-honored practices and deep understanding concerning Black and mixed-race textured hair, passed through generations."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/hair-classification-systems/",
            "name": "Hair Classification Systems",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/hair-classification-systems/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Hair Classification Systems gently present a grounding structure for discerning the unique characteristics inherent to textured hair, particularly for those with Black and mixed-race heritage."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/protective-hairstyles/",
            "name": "Protective Hairstyles",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/protective-hairstyles/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Protective Hairstyles represent a deliberate styling approach for textured hair, particularly for Black and mixed-race hair, engineered to safeguard delicate strands from daily manipulation and external elements."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/african-hair-traditions/",
            "name": "African Hair Traditions",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/african-hair-traditions/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ African Hair Traditions signify the enduring legacy of hair care customs and styling practices established across generations within African and diasporic communities."
        }
    ]
}
```


---

**Original URL:** https://roothea.co/question/what-is-the-historical-reason-for-textured-hair-discrimination/
