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Former First Lady Michelle Obama sparked debate online following her recent comments about why generations of Black women have straightened their natural hair.
While promoting her new book, "The Look," Obama told Tracee Ellis Ross that Black women would straighten their hair to conform to white beauty and professional standards.
“Let me explain something to white people. Our hair comes out curly. When we straighten it to follow your beauty standards, we are trapped by the straightness,” Obama said. “That’s why so many of us can’t swim, won’t go to the gym because we’re trying to keep our hair straight for y’all!”
One Thread user, Chanel Coco, went viral on social media for her take on Obama's comments.
“Dear Michelle Obama, newsflash black women do not straighten their hair because of white peoples beauty standards… most black women straighten their hair because they choose to and it’s easier to manage for them… Why get on stage and say that nonsense?” she said.
Many users disagreed with Coco's argument, noting that Obama was speaking to the experiences of older generations who straightened their hair to avoid discrimination long before natural styles were widely accepted in workplaces.
Singer/songwriter India Arie, known for her anthem “I Am Not My Hair,” chimed in on the conversation to defend Obama's remarks. Arie noted that "curl specialist" jobs wouldn't exist if it weren't for the groundwork laid by natural hair advocates.
"I did my 25 year bid of trying to help people awaken… Let her enjoy her curl specialist job that we all laid the ground for her to have in peace. Lol,” Arie said in response to Coco's take. “We expect people to respect us and thank us for our work. But it doesn’t always go like that.”
The singer emphasized that her generation's push for natural hair acceptance has made it easier for young Black women to wear curls without fear of professional retaliation.
“There LITERALLY IS no curl specialist job without the path we laid for you," Arie added.
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