The Aesthetics of Natural Black Hairstyles

The Aesthetics of Natural Black Hairstyles

Carolyn Allen
Copyright: © 2024 |Pages: 17
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-6684-8790-7.ch010
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Abstract

The chapter considers the three African aesthetic principles of polyrhythm, curvilinearity, and repetition and applies the aesthetic principles to natural Black hairstyles. Aesthetics are associated with the conception of beauty or what is considered beautiful. Afros, locs, twists, braids, and Bantu knots are natural hairstyles considered beautiful in the African aesthetic. However, natural Black hairstyle have been disparaged in the American workplace. Discrimination and bias against natural Black hairstyles will be reviewed. The purpose of the chapter is to discuss the links between African aesthetics and natural Black hairstyles. Further, the chapter explores bias against natural Black hairstyles and the rejection of African aesthetics by European standards.
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Deep Structure And Surface Structure

Noam Chomsky (2009) forwarded the development of transformational generative grammar theory which incorporates notions of deep structure and surface structure. Deep structure refers to concepts, thoughts, and ideas. Surface structure is represented by words and language. Deep structure exists in the long consciousness of humans while surface structure is expressed by the contemporary words and the language of a people. Concepts, thoughts, and ideas are abstract whereas words and language provide concrete representations of the abstract. In other words, deep structure concepts, thoughts and ideas are translated to surface structure words and language. Deep structure concepts, thoughts and ideas can exist across long time spans. Surface structure words and language are more ephemeral.

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