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Black Women Are Reclaiming Their Identity Through ‘Covid Cuts’
Hair can be both a political statement and a statement of convenience
There’s a popular Coco Chanel quote: “A woman who cuts her hair is ready to change her life.” Oft repeated, but for good reason. A big chop can be a great way to announce to the universe that you’re ready for a life shift. But what does a big chop signify in times like these when life has shifted? For months now I’ve been observing my salon-dependent friends go through the pandemic, sharing their hair and beauty struggles online. Some have leaned into the times and learned to do their own braids or twists through online tutorials. Many have chosen to just big chop and rock a teeny weenie Afro instead. And now a trio of celebrities have made their big chop the main story.
Comedian Tiffany Haddish cut off her loc extensions and shaved her head on Instagram Live, explaining, “I cut all my hair off cause I want to see my scalp. I know my whole body. I know where every mole is, but I don’t know my scalp.” Respected journalist Melissa Harris Perry chopped off her hair as a deliberate symbol of fearlessness and cited civil rights legend Rep. John Lewis as part of her inspiration. “Rep. Lewis makes me want to be courageous again. So I started with something small but scary for me. I got rid of my hair. Then I sat down and I wrote words. And then I admitted to those I love what I hope to build even though I have no idea how I’ll do it. One step at a time, I’m going back to brave.” And Insecure actress and HBO comedian Yvonne Orji shared her cute new ’fro with an earnest Instagram post about finding joy. The accompanying photos show the range of her unfettered beauty.
As an observational trend, big chops and teeny weenie Afros are poppin’ right now. I’ve covered the natural hair scene for over a decade, and I’ve seen many celebrities embrace their natural hair and convert again as needed. But something about this moment feels different from times in which a big chop may have signified a more intentional personal or political statement. The pandemic has pushed natural hair into a collective new direction. We’re having a universal experience, where the lack of access to hair salons and beauty supply stores has revealed a window of opportunity. We’re in a place where…
