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European beauty standards influenced the hairstyles and hair care practices of enslaved Africans in several ways. Firstly, these standards deemed natural African hair textures as undesirable or unprofessional. As a result, many enslaved Africans were forced to straighten their hair or cover it with head wraps and wigs to conform to European beauty ideals.
Enslaved Africans were often made to believe that their natural hair was unkempt or unattractive, and that it needed to be altered to fit European standards. This resulted in a loss of cultural autonomy and self-expression as enslaved Africans had to abandon their own traditional hairstyles and adopt European styles instead.
Additionally, the pressure to conform to European beauty standards also affected the overall perception of self-beauty among enslaved Africans. The suppression of their cultural identity and the imposition of European ideals made it difficult for them to fully embrace and celebrate their natural hair, leading to a negative impact on their self-esteem and self-image.
Overall, the influence of European beauty standards on enslaved Africans’ hairstyles and haircare practices during this time was significant. It not only led to physical restrictions and modifications but also had a profound psychological impact on their sense of self and cultural identity.
LEARN MORE ABOUT BLACK HAIR HISTORY PART 4
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