As a black woman in America, it is no secret that we are conditioned into society’s ‘norm’ of how we should look. From relaxers to straight hair extensions, a lot of us have assimilated at some point in life and have completely disregarded the beauty of our ethnic uniqueness. —Our big afros, locs, braids, and natural curly hair.

Natural hair is not “unprofessional.” Protective styles are not “ghetto.” It’s time that we re-define these terribly inaccurate sentiments. Let’s own the beauty that is unique to us and finally have a say in how we wear our natural hair and protective styles; unapologetically black.