Cultural Artifact Analysis 2 (1)

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1 Cultural Artifact Analysis: Black Woman Braids Mawuena Agbenohevi Down Town University PSY 3310 Professor E Due Date

2 Cultural Artifact Analysis: Black Woman Braids Introduction The cultural artifact chosen for analysis is a style of braids known as “black woman braids,” a complex artifact representing Black culture. A style deeply rooted in African tradition, braids have become a representation of power and self-love for Black women. This essay delves into the deep lessons that braids of black women tell us about gender, self-identity, cultural pride, and resistance to conventional beauty standards (Anderson, p.123). It also examines the ways in which these lessons are taught, the stereotypes that it challenges, the subtext that lies beneath, and the course material that help deepen our understanding of this culturally significant artifact. Lessons and ways of conveying About Gender They carry profound, nuanced messages about race and gender, especially for Black women. These hairstyles put a focus on self-expression, personal identity and challenge beauty standards that privilege European ideals (Liss, p.43). They teach that beauty is not just skin deep, and is more about accepting who you are through your cultural heritage and identity rather than what’s mainstream. The braids on a black woman are a representation of self-worth, a declaration of natural beauty, and a source of self-empowerment. Ways of Conveying Lessons Black women’s braids serve as visual representation and a form of creative expression that share these lessons. African and African American culture, and African braids patterns and styles, provide a canvas for cultural expression (Anderson, 78). It is the black girls show of creation, creativity and pride in what is yours. it’s quite powerful visual language to challenge the gender codes and the beauty standards. Braiding itself acts as a way to create a collective

3 cultural identity and sense of community, making these stories that much more potent (Anderso, p.210). Challenging Stereotypes Braids in Black Woman are a statement against all the negative stereotypes which history has painted on Black Woman. They challenge the assumption that only straightened hair represents beauty. It is about embracing natural hair textures and incorporating cultural elements into hairstyles. Black women say, “We are beautiful, beautiful and worth being celebrated and celebrated in our own way,” by doing so they are breaking the mold and shouting that complexity of Black women (Liss, 34). Hidden Subtext Black woman braids have a hidden subtext beneath the surface which is grounded in history and culture. These hairstyles were rooted in African cultural practices and became tools of resistance to the pressure to assimilate (Professor E). It is the underlying message that touches on the power, perseverance, and beauty of Black women in the face of a systemically oppressive society. According to Anderson (p. 70), this can be related to implicit coercion where the African beauty is highly linked to the natural hairstyles. These braids signify the ancestral heritage, and the refusal to let the external forces demean and devalue Black woman’s self-worth. Relevant Course Material The chapter on women’s bodies is very relevant to our understanding of Black Woman Braids as a cultural artifact by elaborating on the complicated connections beauty norms, race and culture. It highlights how skin color and colorism have been important historically, and how these preferences for lighter skin have come to define beauty standards in both the Black community and beyond (Professor E). Understanding this historical context is critical in

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4 understanding the intricacies of Black Woman Braids, as it provides insight into why Black women may have unique beauty expectations when it comes to their skin tone, making hairstyles like braids a choice. Ideally, this relates to the book ideas that shows feminity of black women from white ones (Anderson, p. 70). In addition, the chapter highlights the role of hair texture, hair texture particularly for Black women, which are cultural ideals that are preferred by the society (Anderson, p. 85). Knowing this helps us understand that black women’s hairstyle choices, including braids, are often shaped by what the society considers as beauty. For instance, Michell Obama is a significant example of black women who have tried to be feminine but the results gets more promiscuous and more likely to be accepted by the white (Liss, 67). However, this does not prevent her from achiever her significance in the society through maintaining hairstyle. Moreover, in this chapter, the idea of an intersectionality framework is introduced where it emphasizes on taking into account about the different experiences and pressures that Black women have to face while analyzing their decisions concerning braided hairstyles (Professor E). In conclusion, the chapter provides vital knowledge on the nexus between beauty standards, race, and culture informing our understanding of the cultural significance of Black Woman Braids. Conclusion In summary, black woman braids are a cultural phenomenon that defies stereos, honors individuality, and uplifts black woman. They teach important lessons about gender, identity, culture, and defiance against societal expectations which is a source of empowerment. The appearance of these women makes them hot and sexy and beautiful and create more contribution to the society with less influence to gender bias. a These hairstyles are about culture and self- worth. This can be highly related to the beauty industry which has the impact of developing more

5 decorative wings and hairstyles to make the Africa lady more appealing to the society (Liss, p. 70). Nonetheless, there is a critical stereotype which needs to be fought to ensure the Africa lady do not lean of white women while trying to enhance their hairstyle and physical beauty. The more we learn about the intricacies and multi-layered symbolism of black woman braids, the more we understand the rich interplay of culture, gender and expression of self in black culture.

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