ZU

Age: 18-29 years

Occupation: College Student

ZU currently wears wigs, which are a popular option for Black women. “It’s done right, it looks nice,” she said of the style. She is skilled at styling her hair in many different ways, including twists and braids, which she often does on other people’s hair as well. She said that it can be “therapeutic” to do someone’s hair when you know the person and can chat during the process.

While doing others’ hair, particularly on campus, ZU was surprised to learn that a lot of people don’t know how to do their own hair. She gives two reasons for this: (1) their parents did not do their hair as children, or (2) they never had to learn how to do their own hair because they grew up in predominantly white spaces where people would not like their hair whether it was styled or not.

“I think it’s important that people know how to do their own hair,” ZU said.

ZU likes Black women’s hair because it is versatile; there are so many possible ways of styling it. She used to dislike her hair, and she still might dislike it a little bit — but she has learned to accept it and embrace it, which clearly has worked to her benefit.