Afro is one of the African American traits that links to their roots and represents their political status and promotes their beauty. It also represents their identity and power in this controversial and multi-racial country.
During the 1960s and 70s, disco music, rap and rocks’ Roll took over the country. During these years, tight Jeans, high heel boots, and especially afro Hair were the mode or style during that period of time. Everybody had their own style when it comes to fashion and hair style. Most African-Americans had Afro hair which is derived from the term “Afro-American”. The style had a cultural and political means. In the 60s and 70s, the civil rights movement made most African-Americans “reborn” their personal style especially the appreciation of Black beauty. The Afro became a very powerful symbol of Black Pride and a rejection of the notion of assimilation and Integration. It was very popular among the Black Panther Party, the Supreme and the Jackson 5.
In other hands, most people feel that Afro hair makes them feel connected to Africa. Most artists and political activist such as Michael Jackson, Lauryn Hill, Angela Davis, Pam Grier and more had Afro hair to promote their identity. As years passed and human right was in place, some white folks joined the afro hair style. The Afro comb made with a Black powerful hand is used to straighten and comb their hair and was carried everywhere. In UMBC year’s book, there were not that much Black men with Afro but we see a different type of fashion and way people used to dress. Most men were in suits and when they are not wearing suits; their shirts were always tucked in. Most students were mature and few of them had glasses and now people wear lenses. Comparatively to the year book, present students are more liberal than the conservative 1970s students. Hair style has nothing to do their personal or political views as it did in the 70s. Some white artists grew hair that look like afro. It’s called Jewfro. There are few hair style that resemble to Afro such as Fuzzy-Wussy and Jewfro .
Today, Afro is becoming more popular in various forms, braids, beads or twists. For few decades, some artist such as Ludacris, Ben Wallace, Eryka Badu still wear Afro which give a great credit to the hair style.
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