1920s: Marcus Garvey, a black nationalist, urges followers to embrace their natural hair and reclaim an African aesthetic. Woman (Mbororo) in Foumban, Cameroon. Originally published 1919. 1444: Europeans trade on the west coast of Africa with people wearing elaborate hairstyles, including locks, plaits and twists. 1619: First slaves brought to Jamestown; African language, culture and grooming tradition begin to disappear. 1700s: Calling black hair “wool,” many whites dehumanize slaves. The…
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