Fro For A Queen

48x60

mixed media on canvas

Although most Americans give credit for the Afro to the Civil Rights Movement, in actuality, the Afro hairstyle is quite ancient. There are many ancient depictions of the hairstyle all throughout Africa and the area commonly referred to today as the Middle-East. Archaeologists have unearthed numerous relics portraying the popular hairstyle all throughout the region currently known as Sub- Saharan Africa.

          In ancient times when the world was dominated by melanated peoples, the hairstyle would have been very common, whereas in today’s society, the symbolism of the Afro shows ones admiration of self. In a Western society, where many melanated women have been indoctrinated to desire the appearance of Eurocentric standards of beauty, the Afro is a powerful statement, it says to the viewer- “I’m proud of who I am”. Iconic figures in past and in recent times alike have worn the Afro to depict this very idea. Huey P. Newton, Erykah Badu, Quest Love, Lauren Hill, Angela Davis, Billy Preston, and countless other melanated peoples, under western culture, wore the Afro with a sense of pride. On a man the Afro resembles the mane on a Lion, on a women a magnificent crown.