# Why Did Certain Laws Target Textured Hair Aesthetics? ❉ Question

**Published:** 2025-06-03
**Author:** Roothea
**Categories:** Question

---

![This striking portrait in monochrome celebrates the elegant fusion of cultural heritage and modern aesthetics. Textured hair, artfully adorned with a turban, captures a moment of serene beauty](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/monochrome-portrait-of-woman-with-textured-hair-wrapped-in-elegant-turban.jpg)

![This compelling portrait transcends mere aesthetics, inviting us to contemplate the confluence of personal expression and ancestral heritage, as well as the empowering embrace of natural texture and a modern, minimalist approach to holistic hair care within the expansive tapestry of mixed-race hair narratives.](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/monochrome-portrait-of-a-woman-with-short-platinum-textured-hair.jpg)

## Roots

Consider, if you will, the profound intimacy between a person and their hair. It is not merely a biological outgrowth; for many, especially those descended from African lineages, hair is a chronicle, a testament to spirit, resilience, and belonging. It holds the echoes of ancestral whispers, the stories of ancient ceremonies, and the quiet dignity of a heritage that defied erasure. Yet, for centuries, the very aesthetic of [textured hair](/area/textured-hair/) became a battleground, subjected to legislative decrees and societal pressures designed to diminish its splendor and its connection to identity. 

The question of why certain laws targeted [textured hair aesthetics](/area/textured-hair-aesthetics/) reaches far beyond simple preference; it penetrates the deep strata of power dynamics, racial hierarchy, and the calculated attempts to dismantle a people’s spiritual and cultural foundations. These regulations sought to strip away not just a style, but the meaning woven into each coil and curl, thereby severing a vital link to self and community. 

![Elevated aesthetics merge with cultural pride in this dramatic portrait, where the interplay of light and shadow emphasizes the intricate braiding patterns, celebrating textured hair’s beauty and resilience. Heritage echoes through expressive styling, demonstrating the blend of ancestral artistry with modern interpretation](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/monochromatic-portrait-braided-hair-embellishment-artistry-textured-hair.jpg)

## Hair’s Ancestral Voice

Before the [transatlantic slave trade](/area/transatlantic-slave-trade/) violently disrupted communities and cultural practices, hair in African societies was a profound communicator. Hairstyles conveyed a wealth of information about an individual, from their geographic origin, marital status, and age to their ethnic identity, religion, wealth, and social standing. For instance, in the Yoruba tradition, hair was seen as the most elevated part of the body, a conduit for spiritual energy and a means to communicate with ancestors and deities.

Braids, twists, and various adornments were not static fashion; they were living expressions of identity, purpose, and spiritual connection. The meticulous process of hair styling, often taking hours or even days, became a social ritual, a time for bonding and the transmission of knowledge across generations.

> Ancestral African hairstyles were intricate social maps, articulating identity, status, and spiritual ties.
When enslaved Africans were forcibly brought to the Americas, one of the first acts of dehumanization was the shaving of their heads. This act served to sever the spiritual and cultural ties so deeply embedded in their hair, erasing their personal and communal identity. Deprived of traditional tools, oils, and herbs, enslaved individuals adapted, using what was available ❉ such as butter, kerosene, or animal fats ❉ to care for their hair. This period also introduced the concept of “good hair,” a designation for straighter textures that mirrored European aesthetics, creating an internal hierarchy within Black communities where lighter skin and straighter hair sometimes translated into perceived economic and social advantage. 

![This monochrome portrait honors the beauty of Black women through a lens of strength and artistic choice, reflecting individual style within rich cultural narratives. The platinum coiled hairstyle celebrates self expression and unique pattern, connecting modern aesthetics with historical roots](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/monochrome-portrait-of-black-woman-with-platinum-blonde-coiled-short-hair.jpg)

## The Anatomy of Resistance

Textured hair, with its unique curl patterns ranging from wavy to coily, possesses a distinct anatomical structure. Unlike straight hair, which is typically round in cross-section, coily hair often has an elliptical shape, contributing to its spring and volume. This structural variance allows for the formation of tight, dense curl patterns, which in pre-colonial African societies were celebrated for their aesthetic qualities and communicative power. 

The inherent qualities of textured hair, such as its natural volume and tendency to defy gravity, stood in stark contrast to prevailing European [beauty standards](/area/beauty-standards/) that favored sleek, straight hair. This difference became a visual marker, easily identifiable and, in systems of oppression, easily targeted. The “problem” of textured hair was not its biological reality, but its symbolic strength and refusal to conform to a imposed aesthetic. 

Early anthropological studies, often rooted in biased perspectives, used [hair texture](/area/hair-texture/) as a primary classifier of race, sometimes fabricating data to assert the inferiority of African people. These pseudo-scientific assertions contributed to a societal framework that devalued textured hair and, by extension, those who bore it. The very texture of African hair, which in ancestral contexts was a source of pride and spiritual connection, became a target of disdain and a tool for asserting racial domination. 

![This dramatic monochromatic portrait celebrates the striking beauty of an intentional bald style and distinct hair design. The image highlights empowerment, challenging traditional beauty standards and underscoring the impact of textured artistry and individuality in expressing personal identity and cultural narrative](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/monochrome-portrait-of-a-bald-woman-featuring-a-striking-hair-design.jpg)

![This arresting image portrays a woman with distinct style, combining the cultural richness of textured locs with an avant-garde shaved design, representing her unique self-expression and heritage. It serves as a powerful statement within holistic hair culture, celebrating Black identity and innovative textured hair aesthetics](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/monochrome-portrait-of-woman-with-locs-and-precision-shaved-hair-design.jpg)

## Ritual

The laws targeting textured [hair aesthetics](/area/hair-aesthetics/) were never isolated decrees; they were deliberate instruments woven into a broader fabric of control, designed to reinforce social stratification and suppress cultural expression. These legislations understood, on a visceral level, the profound connection between hair, identity, and power, particularly within communities whose heritage was actively under assault. To comprehend these laws, one must step into the historical moment and discern the unspoken anxieties they sought to quell. 

Consider the case of the **Tignon Laws** in 18th-century Louisiana. As free [Black women](/area/black-women/) in New Orleans began to accumulate wealth and social standing, their elaborate hairstyles, often adorned with jewels and feathers, attracted considerable attention, even from white men. This visible display of beauty and apparent prosperity challenged the rigid social hierarchy of the time, sparking indignation among white women and colonial authorities. 

![The black and white portrait evokes timeless elegance as the model](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/striking-portrait-of-young-woman-with-natural-afro-textured-hair.jpg)

## What Anxieties Did the Tignon Laws Attempt to Soothe?

In 1786, Governor Esteban Rodriguez Miró issued a series of sumptuary laws, specifically the Tignon Laws, which mandated that all women of African descent, whether enslaved or free, cover their hair with a tignon ❉ a scarf or headwrap. The stated purpose was to mark these women as belonging to the “slave class,” regardless of their actual status, and to prevent them from “competing too freely with white women for status” and from “enticing white men.” 

- **Social Hierarchy** ❉ The laws aimed to visually enforce a racial and social order where Black women were positioned as inferior.

- **Control of Appearance** ❉ Authorities sought to control the public presentation of Black women, particularly those who had attained a degree of freedom and economic independence.

- **Sexual Politics** ❉ The laws were also rooted in anxieties about interracial relationships and the perceived threat that Black women’s beauty posed to the existing social structure.
The response of Black women to the [Tignon Laws](/area/tignon-laws/) speaks volumes about their resilience and ingenuity. Instead of succumbing to the intended humiliation, they transformed the mandated headwrap into a powerful statement of style and resistance. They used vibrant, luxurious fabrics and tied their tignons with intricate, artistic knots, often decorating them with ribbons and jewels.

The tignon, initially a symbol of oppression, became a marker of pride and a continuation of African head-wrapping traditions. This act of creative rebellion allowed them to reinterpret the law without technically breaking it, and their beauty continued to capture attention.

> The Tignon Laws, intended to diminish, inadvertently forged a new symbol of defiance and cultural pride.

![The image reflects a heritage of natural Black hair care. It reveals a deep bond between women as hair nourishment is applied directly to the scalp](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/melanin-rich-skin-tending-to-natural-black-hair-coils-with-ancient-wisdom.jpg)

## How Did These Laws Echo Historical Prejudices?

The Tignon Laws were a localized manifestation of a global pattern of discrimination against textured hair, one deeply intertwined with colonial power structures. From the moment enslaved Africans arrived in the “New World,” their hair was systematically devalued. The very word “kinky” or “wooly” was used to dehumanize them, linking their hair to animalistic qualities rather than human beauty. This established a precedent that Eurocentric hair aesthetics were the norm and standard, while African hair was “unprofessional” or “unclean.” 

This prejudice was not simply aesthetic; it was economic and social. Texturism, a bias favoring straighter hair textures, became prevalent, where individuals with hair closer to European types often experienced better treatment and opportunities. This internal division, sadly, contributed to the pressure within Black communities to conform to dominant beauty standards, leading to the widespread use of chemical straighteners and relaxers. The beauty industry itself capitalized on this desire for conformity, creating products that promised to alter natural texture. 

![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)

![This high-contrast portrait captures a moment of intense self-expression through a unique textured hairstyle, celebrating the beauty and artistry of modern coiffure, the cropped style enhanced by carefully balanced tonalities showcasing the rich detail and expressive freedom within black aesthetics.](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/monochrome-portrait-of-a-woman-with-short-cropped-textured-hair.jpg)

## Relay

The echoes of historical prejudice reverberate into the present day, manifesting as systemic bias against textured hair in workplaces, schools, and public spaces. The narrative of textured hair, historically deemed “unprofessional” or “unkempt” in settings dominated by Eurocentric beauty standards, speaks to a deeper cultural and scientific misunderstanding that continues to harm individuals and communities. This ongoing struggle for hair freedom calls for a careful examination of how discriminatory laws and policies, both overt and subtle, have shaped perception and opportunity. 

The biases against textured hair are not simply matters of personal preference; they are learned behaviors, deeply ingrained through centuries of systemic conditioning. A 2016 “Good Hair” Study by the Perception Institute found that a majority of people, regardless of race or gender, hold some bias against women of color based on their hair. The study revealed that white women, on average, explicitly rate textured hair as “less beautiful,” “less sexy/attractive,” and “less professional” than smooth hair. This explicit and implicit bias contributes to the documented social stigma perceived by Black women regarding their hair choices. 

![The portrait evokes quiet strength and refined grace, reflecting modern black hair expression through carefully sculpted coils and fades that complement facial aesthetics. This image invites consideration of textured hair](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/striking-portrait-of-a-woman-with-short-textured-hair-and-fade.jpg)

## How Does Cultural Perception Influence Opportunity?

The impact of these biases is not confined to personal feelings; it translates into tangible barriers to employment and education. Black women, for instance, are almost twice as likely to experience social pressure at work to straighten their hair compared to white women. This pressure to conform to [Eurocentric beauty standards](/area/eurocentric-beauty-standards/) often forces individuals to chemically alter their hair, sometimes causing damage, or to cover their [natural hair](/area/natural-hair/) with wigs or extensions.

The economic policy Institute highlights that discrimination against Black and mixed-race people remains a pervasive element of American workplaces and schools, and that while the Civil Rights Act of 1964 added protections against race-based discrimination, it did not explicitly include protections against discrimination based on phenotypical markers that demonstrate race, such as hair texture. This omission created a loophole allowing for effective race-based discrimination.

This systemic discrimination prompted the creation of legislative efforts such as the **CROWN Act** (Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair). This legislation, first enacted in California in 2019, seeks to protect against discrimination based on race-based hairstyles by extending statutory protection to hair texture and protective styles like braids, locs, twists, and knots in workplaces and public schools. As of July 2024, twenty-five states in the U.S. have prohibited discrimination based on hair texture, with a federal [CROWN Act](/area/crown-act/) still awaiting consideration in the Senate. 

![Classic beauty radiates from this afro-adorned Black woman in a stark black and white studio setting, honoring heritage. Her composed demeanor and the spotlight on her natural hair texture capture strength, celebrating Black hair traditions and identity through expressive hairstyling](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/elegant-black-woman-with-afro-hairstyle-in-studio-portrait-black-and-white.jpg)

## What Scientific Understanding Challenges Biased Perceptions?

From a scientific perspective, textured hair is remarkable in its diversity and inherent qualities. Hair texture varies widely in humans, with tightly curled hair forming circles as small as 1.5 millimeters. Early hair classification systems, like the one developed by Eugen Fischer, a Nazi German scientist and eugenicist in the early 1900s, were unfortunately used to categorize hair based on its “proximity to whiteness,” reinforcing racial hierarchies. 

Modern understanding of hair structure, however, reveals a spectrum of unique characteristics rather than a hierarchy. The Irizarry Hair Texture Scale (IHT), for instance, provides a framework that accounts for both the physical and socio-cultural dimensions of hair texture and style, challenging traditional systems that perpetuate racial biases. This scale considers factors like curl pattern, density, and style, offering a scientifically grounded approach to studying hair as a marker of identity and systemic inequities. 

The concept of “good hair” is not a scientific or biological reality. It is a social construct, born of racism and colonial mindsets that devalued Black physical attributes. The unique properties of textured hair, often viewed negatively through a biased lens, are, in fact, adaptations. For example, some researchers suggest that kinky hair offers protection against solar radiation, a possible evolutionary advantage in tropical populations. 

> Modern science, coupled with cultural understanding, dismantles notions of ‘good hair’ by celebrating textured hair’s diverse natural characteristics.
The legacy of laws targeting textured hair aesthetics represents a historical attempt to control and diminish a fundamental aspect of identity and heritage. Yet, the persistent resistance, cultural reclamation, and ongoing legislative efforts like the CROWN Act underscore a deep-seated human need for self-expression and cultural affirmation. The enduring heritage of textured hair, with its rich history of ceremony, communication, and resilience, continues to challenge and reshape societal norms, paving the way for a more inclusive and equitable understanding of beauty. 

![This artistic monochrome portrait showcases a woman adorned in a Madrasi head tie, echoing ancestral beauty and holistic hair traditions, spotlighting 4a high-density coils texture. The image celebrates sebaceous balance care, low porosity practices within ancestral hairstyles and modern aesthetics affirming expressive styling through heritage](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/monochrome-portrait-african-woman-adorned-in-ancestral-madrasi-head-tie.jpg)

![This evocative portrait immortalizes resilience, revealing an elder](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/resilient-elders-textured-legacy-natural-coils-high-porosity-hair-aesthetics.jpg)

## Reflection

The journey through the history of laws targeting textured hair aesthetics unveils a poignant truth: that hair, a biological filament, can carry the immense weight of human history, struggle, and unyielding spirit. Each coil, each strand, holds not just the story of its individual growth, but the collective saga of heritage that refused to be silenced. From the ancestral villages where hairstyles were revered texts of identity and spiritual connection, to the colonial plantations where forced shaves sought to strip away dignity, to the streets of New Orleans where mandated headwraps became crowns of defiance, textured hair has always been more than mere appearance. It stands as a living archive, breathing with the resilience of those who wore it with pride in the face of imposed inferiority.

This continuous thread of heritage, stretching from elemental biology through vibrant traditions and into the very shaping of future laws, reminds us that caring for textured hair is a profoundly resonant act. It is a quiet, powerful affirmation of self, a reconnection to ancestral wisdom, and a defiant celebration of beauty in all its glorious, unbridled forms. It is a soulful journey, guided by the whispers of the past, embracing the present, and charting a boundless future for every unbound helix.

![The pumice stone](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/pumice-stone-texture-close-up-for-porosity-comparison-in-hair.jpg)

![In monochrome, the woman](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/monochrome-portrait-of-a-woman-with-cornrow-braids-and-natural-hair.jpg)

## References

- Byrd, Ayana, and Tharps, Lori L. 2001. _Hair Story: Untangling the Roots of Black Hair in America_. St. Martin’s Press.

- Gould, Virginia M. 1996. _The Devil’s Lane: Sex and Race in the Early South_. Oxford University Press.

- Leach, Edmund. 1958. “Magical Hair.” _Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland_ 88 (2): 147 ❉ 64.

- Peacock, Tiffany Nicole. 2019. “African American Hair and Beauty: Examining Afrocentricity and Identity Through the Reemergence and Expression of Natural Hair in the 21st Century.” Master’s thesis, University of South Florida.

- Perception Institute. 2016. “The ‘Good Hair’ Study Results.” Perception Institute.

- Winters, Ze. 2017. _The Mulatta Concubine: Terror, Intimacy, Freedom, and Desire in the Black Transatlantic_. University of Georgia Press.

## 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.

### [Global Hair Aesthetics](https://roothea.co/area/global-hair-aesthetics/)

Meaning ❉ Global Hair Aesthetics gently refers to the comprehensive understanding of diverse beauty ideals and mindful care practices for hair, particularly as they pertain to textured hair types, including those of Black and mixed heritage individuals, across our world.

### [Racial Aesthetics Brazil](https://roothea.co/area/racial-aesthetics-brazil/)

Meaning ❉ Racial Aesthetics Brazil refers to the specific historical and cultural lens through which beauty, particularly hair texture, has been perceived and valued within Brazil's distinct racial landscape.

### [Black Women](https://roothea.co/area/black-women/)

Meaning ❉ Black women, as central figures in textured hair understanding, gently guide the comprehension of coily and kinky strands.

### [Textured Hair Aesthetics](https://roothea.co/area/textured-hair-aesthetics/)

Meaning ❉ Textured Hair Aesthetics designates the deliberate artistry and informed presentation of hair exhibiting natural curl, coil, or wave patterns, a practice deeply rooted in the heritage of Black and mixed-race individuals.

### [Tignon Laws](https://roothea.co/area/tignon-laws/)

Meaning ❉ The Tignon Laws, enacted in late 18th-century colonial Louisiana, were decrees requiring free and enslaved Black women to cover their hair with a tignon or headscarf when in public spaces.

### [Post-Emancipation Aesthetics](https://roothea.co/area/post-emancipation-aesthetics/)

Meaning ❉ Post-Emancipation Aesthetics refers to the distinct beauty standards and styling practices that developed within Black communities following the abolition of slavery, marking a significant shift in self-perception and presentation.

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

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

### [Sierra Leonean Aesthetics](https://roothea.co/area/sierra-leonean-aesthetics/)

Meaning ❉ Sierra Leonean Aesthetics gently guides the understanding of textured hair, recognizing its innate strength and distinct patterns as a source of beauty and heritage.

### [Nubian Hair Aesthetics](https://roothea.co/area/nubian-hair-aesthetics/)

Meaning ❉ Nubian Hair Aesthetics points to a deep regard for natural textured hair, tracing its significance back to the ancient Nubian civilizations, which held coily and curly patterns in high esteem.

## Explore Your Heritage

### [Colonial Hair Aesthetics](https://roothea.co/term/colonial-hair-aesthetics/)
![Community converges in this timeless frame, hands weaving a legacy into textured hair patterns, showcasing heritage and embracing the natural beauty, while bottles of products emphasize wellness and celebration of Black hair traditions. Expressive artistry blooms, affirming identity and ancestral connection.](https://roothea.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/community-braiding-session-textured-hair-heritage-diverse-hands-holistic.jpg)

### [Sufi Aesthetics](https://roothea.co/term/sufi-aesthetics/)
![This monochrome portrait honors the beauty of Black women through a lens of strength and artistic choice, reflecting individual style within rich cultural narratives. The platinum coiled hairstyle celebrates self expression and unique pattern, connecting modern aesthetics with historical roots.](https://roothea.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/monochrome-portrait-of-black-woman-with-platinum-blonde-coiled-short-hair.jpg)

### [How Did Tignon Laws Shape New Orleans Hair Heritage?](https://roothea.co/question/how-did-tignon-laws-shape-new-orleans-hair-heritage/)
![The image captures women’s involvement in food preparation alongside their head coverings reflective of cultural heritage, suggesting shared ancestral knowledge, with possible references to ingredients and practices that resonate with holistic textured hair wellness and traditions of beauty within their communities.](https://roothea.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/women-sharing-food-preparation-ancestral-heritage-and-hair-care-traditions.jpg)

### [Pre-Colonial Aesthetics](https://roothea.co/term/pre-colonial-aesthetics/)
![The photograph elegantly frames a woman](https://roothea.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/elegant-woman-with-asymmetrical-bob-hairstyle-black-and-white-portrait.jpg)

### [Anti-Colonial Aesthetics](https://roothea.co/term/anti-colonial-aesthetics/)
![The portrait encapsulates the dance between light and shadow, celebrating the unique texture of braided hair. It evokes a sense of ancestral connection, holistic hair care rituals passed down through generations, and the powerful expression of cultural identity inherent in traditional Black hair styling.](https://roothea.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/woman-silhouette-against-sunlight-showcasing-braided-textured-hair-in.jpg)

### [How Did Colonial Laws Alter Hair Practices for Black Women?](https://roothea.co/question/how-did-colonial-laws-alter-hair-practices-for-black-women/)
![The woman](https://roothea.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/striking-black-and-white-profile-of-a-woman-with-coiled-hair-updo.jpg)

### [Why Do Certain Plant Oils Penetrate Textured Hair Differently?](https://roothea.co/question/why-do-certain-plant-oils-penetrate-textured-hair-differently/)
![The monochrome aesthetic highlights the inherent beauty and geometric design of the carefully crafted locs hairstyle, creating a powerful statement of personal expression and cultural identity. With precise makeup and a sharp eye, the image captures her unique look, embodying both strength and elegance.](https://roothea.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/elegant-woman-with-short-locs-hairstyle-and-defined-facial-features.jpg)

### [African Diaspora Aesthetics](https://roothea.co/term/african-diaspora-aesthetics/)
![The serene gaze of this young person, combined with intricate coil work and culturally significant hair ornaments, powerfully communicates resilience and pride. This artistic representation celebrates textured hair forms, a legacy preserved through braiding practices, while embracing holistic beauty and a commitment to ancestral heritage.](https://roothea.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/young-woman-displaying-braided-hairstyle-with-embellishments-cultural-pride-and.jpg)

### [How Did the Tignon Laws Influence Black Hair Care Heritage?](https://roothea.co/question/how-did-the-tignon-laws-influence-black-hair-care-heritage/)
![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)

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            "description": "Meaning ❉ Textured hair describes the natural hair structure characterized by its unique curl patterns, ranging from expansive waves to closely wound coils, a common trait across individuals of Black and mixed heritage."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/textured-hair-aesthetics/",
            "name": "Textured Hair Aesthetics",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/textured-hair-aesthetics/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Textured Hair Aesthetics designates the deliberate artistry and informed presentation of hair exhibiting natural curl, coil, or wave patterns, a practice deeply rooted in the heritage of Black and mixed-race individuals."
        },
        {
            "@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/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-aesthetics/",
            "name": "Hair Aesthetics",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/hair-aesthetics/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Hair Aesthetics, for those with textured hair, extends beyond mere surface appearance."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/black-women/",
            "name": "Black Women",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/black-women/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Black women, as central figures in textured hair understanding, gently guide the comprehension of coily and kinky strands."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/tignon-laws/",
            "name": "Tignon Laws",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/tignon-laws/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ The Tignon Laws, enacted in late 18th-century colonial Louisiana, were decrees requiring free and enslaved Black women to cover their hair with a tignon or headscarf when in public spaces."
        },
        {
            "@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/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/crown-act/",
            "name": "CROWN Act",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/crown-act/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ The CROWN Act establishes legal protections against discrimination based on hair texture and styles frequently worn by individuals of Black or mixed heritage."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/global-hair-aesthetics/",
            "name": "Global Hair Aesthetics",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/global-hair-aesthetics/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Global Hair Aesthetics gently refers to the comprehensive understanding of diverse beauty ideals and mindful care practices for hair, particularly as they pertain to textured hair types, including those of Black and mixed heritage individuals, across our world."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/racial-aesthetics-brazil/",
            "name": "Racial Aesthetics Brazil",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/racial-aesthetics-brazil/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Racial Aesthetics Brazil refers to the specific historical and cultural lens through which beauty, particularly hair texture, has been perceived and valued within Brazil's distinct racial landscape."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/post-emancipation-aesthetics/",
            "name": "Post-Emancipation Aesthetics",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/post-emancipation-aesthetics/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Post-Emancipation Aesthetics refers to the distinct beauty standards and styling practices that developed within Black communities following the abolition of slavery, marking a significant shift in self-perception and presentation."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/sierra-leonean-aesthetics/",
            "name": "Sierra Leonean Aesthetics",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/sierra-leonean-aesthetics/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Sierra Leonean Aesthetics gently guides the understanding of textured hair, recognizing its innate strength and distinct patterns as a source of beauty and heritage."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/nubian-hair-aesthetics/",
            "name": "Nubian Hair Aesthetics",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/nubian-hair-aesthetics/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Nubian Hair Aesthetics points to a deep regard for natural textured hair, tracing its significance back to the ancient Nubian civilizations, which held coily and curly patterns in high esteem."
        }
    ]
}
```


---

**Original URL:** https://roothea.co/question/why-did-certain-laws-target-textured-hair-aesthetics/
