Black American women do not own braids. Braids have lived on many heads across many cultures for centuries.But when it comes to who fought to wear t
Support CROWN act legislation.
Black American women do not own braids.
Braids have lived on many heads across many cultures for centuries.
But when it comes to who fought to wear them freely in America—
we did.
We did. Alone.
We are the ones who walked into classrooms and corporate boardrooms and got told:
“Unprofessional.”
“Too ethnic.”
“Against dress code.”
“Disruptive to the learning environment.”
We are the ones whose children came home crying because their hair got cut off without consent.
Whose daughters were sent home, expelled, or bullied by adults with power.
All for daring to wear their hair in the way that God, nature, and culture intended.
And when we speak up?
We’re met with, “Just follow the rules.”
The same old chorus that’s been used to protect power and punish us.
But once we make the way—once we fight, cry, protest, and finally push these systems to budge—
then here come the voices:
“Well, other cultures wear braids too.”
“Braids aren’t just for Black people.”
“Everyone’s been doing this for centuries.”
Where were those facts when we were fighting with no template?
Where were those receipts when they labeled our children “defiant”?
Where was all this shared history when we were fighting to be seen, respected, and left alone?
History without solidarity is just performance.
Don’t rewrite the war once some battles have been won and everyone gets to benefit.
If you weren’t in the fight, don’t rewrite the victory.
Because while braids may belong to many,
the fight for their dignity in this country has had a Black American face.
And you will not erase that.
