Throughout time, hair has been part of establishing one's understanding of identity, especially when it comes to women. Many attempt to stereotype African hair by parting American hair all the way down, but physical attributes are determined by lineage, not geography. In African American culture, hair is one of the few characteristics that connect individuals to their African ancestry. African American women may find a foundation of black pride through their hair, but they may also discover a source of humiliation and identity confusion. Marcus Garvey said that African-Americans must "take the kinks out of [their] minds, not out of [their] hair," meaning they must ignore societal expectations and embrace not only their beautiful frizzy hair, but also their identity as African-American. Choosing to style hair in a meaningful way defines not only who an individual is, but also the acceptance of their heredity. When Europeans began exploring Africa, the intriguing hairstyles encountered such as braids with shells, beads or woven fabrics and shaved designs came together. to the scalp. At this time, hair represented more than an individual's outward appearance, it had "social, aesthetic, and spiritual significance" that was essential to understanding their sense of value for centuries (Patton 6). When Europeans realized the role hair played in their culture, the first thing they did was shave the heads of Africans, leaving them without an identity. Many wore scarves to hide the damage done, and because they didn't have access to their traditional hair styling tools, they had to invent other hairstyles that would leave them somewhat satisfied. African American women began to feel more... .. middle of paper ...... his disapproval with a contradictory remark: "If God wanted your hair to look like that, he would have made it that way!" These types of comments only deepened the idea of ​​a double consciousness in the lives of African American women. Their hair was supposed to look like this, but many claimed it didn't. When it comes to hair styling, women in general have a hard time deciding how they are going to style their hair, especially when it comes to African American hair. women. For generations, many have tried to decide what it means to have “good” or “bad” hair. Even though these women may not always understand their African ancestry, they can embrace the attributes they possess that make them who they are. By abandoning what society considers acceptable, these women will allow themselves to accept not only their heritage, but also their individuality..