Did you know, black is beautiful was a political and cultural movement still celebrated to this day?
28 January 1968 a photographer featured black women who had chosen to move away from Western beauty standards: the models who walked down the catwalk that night wore their afro hair with pride; their clothes were inspired by designs from Lagos, Accra and Nairobi; and their skin was darker and their bodies fuller-figured than the women pictured in fashion magazines, including black publications.
“There was lots of controversy because we were protesting how, in Ebony magazine, you couldn’t find an ebony girl,”.
The phrase “black is beautiful” referred to a broad embrace of black culture and identity. It called for an appreciation of the black past as a worthy legacy, and it inspired cultural pride in contemporary black achievements.
Me reading the publications on this made me feel so happy, so proud to be black and beautiful. So many black queens and kings deny their melanin, their complicated yet beautiful hair (crowns even). And it really bothered me because our fellow black folks fought for these features to be appreciated. Now, these features are being stolen from us.
In its philosophy, “Black is beautiful” focused also on emotional and psychological well-being. The movement affirmed natural hairstyles like the “Afro” and the variety of skin colors, hair textures, and physical characteristics found in the African American community.
One powerful thing I found was how the Black African Americans found power and pride in who they were after this movement was a success, along came our now commonly used Afro comb!
Pride and Power Black Americans donned styles connected to African heritage. Using a grooming tool like an Afro pick customized with a black fist was a way to proudly assert political and cultural allegiance to the Black Power movement.
This was really eye opening when I came across it at first, I hope it was for you too! It was such a fun topic to research and write up for you guys hope you enjoyed it.
Tarie Speaks
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