I would recommend that anyone interested in reading about black hair trends read Willie Barrow's 400 Years Without a Comb. It details the importance of the comb in African culture, and how the enslavement of the African American lead to hair neglect (the reason why slave women wore head scarves), the use of many types of grooming utensils, the pressing comb, and finally perms and relaxers.
Once people understand the history of Black hair, their discussion won't be so laced with ill informed comments about assimilation, and using dreadlocks to honor their African culture (where in Africa do they see folks walking around in dreadlocks--I've never seen it).
I'd love to hear the comments of others on hair history...but it's important to read and know, than to just give freestyle comments based on little knowledge, which, admittedly, most of us don't have.
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I will bless the Lord at ALL times His praise shall continually be in my mouth. (Psalms 34:1, KJV)
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