Hair Raising: Beauty, Culture, and African American Women

by Noliwe M. Rooks

We all know there is a politics of skin color, but is there a politics of hair?In this book, Noliwe Rooks explores the history and politics of hair and beauty culture in African American communities from the nineteenth century to the 1990s. She discusses the ways in which African American women have located themselves in their own families, communities, and national culture through beauty advertisements, treatments, and styles. Bringing the story into today's beauty shop, listening to other women talk about braids, Afros, straighteners, and what they mean today to grandmothers, mothers, sisters, friends, and boyfriends, she also talks about her own family and has fun along the way. Hair Raising is that rare sort of book that manages both to entertain and to illuminate its subject.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, African American, Feminism, Race

176 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1996

Reviews

[Andy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-read.

It is a really good book. Noliwe M. did great writing, it is lightly to read and yet very informative, it explains a lot that is good to know about the personal experiences and politics of black hair.

I saw it recommended on Last Week Tonight, in case anyone is interested:
"Hair: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)", May 9, 2021.

[Michelle Talbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read and relied upon the historical perspectives in this book for a paper I wrote in my senior year of undergrad at Cornell University. The year was 2000 and the class was Women & Feminism in Historical Perspective. I was the only African American in the course. I was grateful to find Professor Rooks' work.

[Petra Shea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got this book for a project on hair and beauty discrimination. Quite helpful with background info and the historical roots of the defeminization of black women.

[Zefyr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating history of Madame CJ Walker and the relationship of African American women's hair and economic independence, and interesting study of the relationship between advertising and racialized sense of self.

[Whitney · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a very well-written book, but does offer an overview of how white beauty standards have influenced African American women's views of their hair textures and styles