I contend that the 1960s and 70s were the years when African-American hair was the healthiest its ever been. For roughly a decade, black Americans all over the United States wore their hair unencumbered and unprocessed. In fact, where I grew up (Los Angeles) the hairstyle was called a "natural" because hair was not processed (relaxed) or pressed. Just a good trim to give it shape and keep it neat and some Afro Sheen to keep it soft and shiny.
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| The comb in this pic was commonly known as a "cake cutter" for obvious reasons. |
The hairstyle is interesting for a number of reasons. While cultural hairstyles are often connected to religion and are centuries-old, the Afro was connected to a political movement for civil rights and came on the scene in the middle of the 20th century. It is also interesting that the Afro is a rare instance of both sexes wearing their hair in the same style. This hairstyle that African-Americans created was a way to define themselves for themselve and liberate themselves from a Eurocentric definition of beauty.
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| Both men and women wore Afros. |
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| Say it loud! |
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| Superstars wore Afros. |
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My prom date wore an Afro, 1973. |
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This picture represents the seventies on so many levels. There's my friend and I, both 14 years old, in our matching tie-dyed hot-pants with knee-high socks and moccasins. Neither one of us can remember where we were going that day. My friend has an Afro to die for while I am Afro-challenged. |
