Should I Straighten My Hair? Identity, Agency, & Natural Hair in College | Your hair MadeSimple Ep33

<p>Should I straighten my hair to fit in? To look professional? To feel accepted?</p><p>In this episode of Your Hair Made Simple, Shannon sits down with Dr. Brittany Williams, lead author of "Should I Straighten My Hair?: Narratives of Black College Women with Natural Hair" (published in the Journal of Women and Gender in Higher Education), to explore what happens when the way your hair naturally grows feels at odds with the spaces you are trying to succeed in. From the cultural roots of straightening to the real health costs of heat and chemical treatments, this conversation covers professionalism, identity, community, and the courage it takes to choose yourself.</p><p>Dr. Williams's research found that Black college women navigate a constant push and pull between personal choice and external pressure, what she calls interpersonal dualism. But she also found that community and kinship with other natural-haired women on campus can change everything. Whether you are in college now, years past it, or supporting someone who is, this episode is for you.</p><p>🧴 Nourish your hair from the outside in. Shop our Nourishing Hair Oil:<a href="https://www.yourhairmadesimple.com/sh" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> </a>⁠<a href="https://www.yourhairmadesimple.com/shop-the-brand%E2%81%A0" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.yourhairmadesimple.com/shop-the-brand⁠</a></p><p>📩 Keep the conversation going. Join the YHMS Community Newsletter:<a href="https://mailchi.mp/yourhairmadesimple" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> </a><a href="https://mailchi.mp/yourhairmadesimple/your-hair-made-simple-community-newsletter" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://mailchi.mp/yourhairmadesimple/your-hair-made-simple-community-newsletter</a></p><p>🔔 Subscribe to the Your Hair Made Simple YouTube channel</p><p>Find Dr. Brit Williams: 🌐<a href="http://www.ascensionbehavioralhealth.com" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> </a><a href="http://www.drbritwilliams.com" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.drbritwilliams.com</a> 📱 @DrBritWilliams</p><p>Timestamps: </p><p>00:00 Introduction: Should I straighten my hair in college?</p><p> 02:00 Historical and cultural context around Black hair and professionalism </p><p>05:00 Personal stories of going natural in college, resistance and acceptance </p><p>08:00 Societal pressures and the impact of the Crown Act </p><p>12:00 Health risks associated with chemical relaxers and heat damage </p><p>15:00 The time investment and daily negotiation of hair styling </p><p>18:00 Social reactions and dating experiences related to natural hair </p><p>21:00 Resistance, community affirmations, and pride in natural hair </p><p>25:00 Reinvention, flexibility, and embracing change at any life stage </p><p>28:00 The power of hair as a communication tool and personal expression </p><p>32:00 Connecting with professional colorists and exploring hair color options </p><p>36:00 Practical self-care tips: making hair routines enjoyable and stress-free </p><p>39:00 Final affirmations: embracing your natural hair journey and self-love </p><p>41:00 Closing thoughts: all hair is good hair</p><p>Resources: Williams et al. (2022). "Should I Straighten My Hair?": Narratives of Black College Women with Natural Hair. Journal of Women and Gender in Higher Education.<a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/26379112.2022.2067861" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> https://doi.org/10.1080/26379112.2022.2067861</a> </p><p><br /></p>