Some call it sticking to your roots, and some call it cute! The way you wear your hair can dictate how society perceives you. Especially for women who are often judged solely on their looks.
That's why one group in Springfield is trying to redefine natural beauty.
"I decided to go natural my senior year of high school, " said University of Illinois student Jamie Anderson.
If you're confused, you're not alone. Confusion brought several to Black History Month exhibit at the University of Illinois in Springfield on Wednesday.
"We're basically giving people permission to touch our hair," said Anderson.
She's the president of The Kinky & Curly Natural Hair Empowerment Club.
Most black women are born with curly and extremely thick hair. However, many abandon their natural roots for a straighter and longer look.
"I use to do it to conform to society because that was looked at as beautiful, said student Asia Jackson.
But the challenge is affording it, because many straightening procedures and packaged hair can cost a lot of money. They can even cause health problems.
"Natural hair is beautiful," said Anderson.
The group is planning on speaking at local high schools so that young women know that their beauty is not defined by the texture of their hair.
This story appeared on WAND TV online on February 18, 2015.
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