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ow200's review against another edition
5.0
Great! Really great stuff. I'll be turning over Dabiri's decolonial approach to time and beauty standards a lot, as well as her innumerable snapshots and case studies from history. It feels like high time I read something about pre-colonial Africa. History, fiction, theory: I'm easy.
sorkatani's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book.
There was a lot of cultural and historical information included that I hadn't come across before and the fact that the author is a Black Irish woman gave a fresh perspective from all the US-centric books on the subject that I've read.
There was a lot of cultural and historical information included that I hadn't come across before and the fact that the author is a Black Irish woman gave a fresh perspective from all the US-centric books on the subject that I've read.
ruthelizamac's review against another edition
5.0
I’ve mulled over what to write about this book. I cannot begin to describe how useful and enlightening it was to me, a person who has never really thought anything of my own hair beyond dying. It’s mostly about how black hair is never “just” hair. Reading it was one of those experiences where you realise you will absolutely never understand how privileged you are in one regard that you didn’t even know it was a problem for others. I apologise for my ignorance.
I don’t think I can say much more of use, other reviews are much more comprehensive if you want more persuasion. But please, read this book.
I don’t think I can say much more of use, other reviews are much more comprehensive if you want more persuasion. But please, read this book.
bookishrealm's review
4.0
4.5 Stars. What a powerful book! I mean if you know anything about the Black hair experience than you know how phenomenal this book is
Twisted: The Tangled History of Black Hair Culture is Emma Dabiri's take and insight to the complex world that is Black hair. This book not only focuses on her own personal experience, but also the beautiful yet sometimes heartbreaking history that Black people have with their hair. While it may insignificant to most, Black hair culture is a complex, dynamic part of our identity. Dabiri spends chapters of the books discussing all facets of Black hair in relationship to Yoruba traditions, the hair binary, the relationship between Black men and their hair, historical figures like Madame C.J. Walker, cultural appropriation, and more.
What I enjoyed most about the book was the different views and perspectives that Dabiri explored. There were aspects of the text that I was familiar with while there were others that enlightened me on my own experiences and the experiences of others. One of most interesting points centered around "hair binary." According to Dabiri, we have become a culture where Black women who have natural hair are considered "woke" while those who do not are still considered to fit within the confines of traditional European standards. Dabiri attempts to reinforce the idea that this binary is not so black and white. At first, I didn't get what point she was trying to make, but then I realized that our relationship with our hair is so complex that creating something like a hair binary could never work. I also loved that she explored the complex relationship that exists between Black women and Black men in relation to hair. I think that Dabiri does an excellent job bringing the whole idea of internalized racism and proximity to Whiteness into this conversation and showing how it not only affects the relationship Black men have with Black women, but also the complex relationship they have with themselves. It was very clear from the text that Dabiri spent a great amount of time taking the basis of her own experience with Black hair culture and applying research to open the gateway for a well-rounded discussion.
There was one issue that I had with the book and it's the fact sometimes it felt as Dabiri had the habit of getting off topic. She would go off on a tangent and then be forced to attempt to bring it full circle back to the discussion about hair. I watched her doing a virtual talk on Youtube and she does discuss the fact that while this book is about Black hair culture there was more that she wanted to include. While I do feel as though the information was just as important it felt like I was reading two different novels at certain points in the book.
Overall, this was a great non-fiction pick for the month. I really think that if there are people who want to more about Black hair culture than I would definitely recommend picking it up.
Twisted: The Tangled History of Black Hair Culture is Emma Dabiri's take and insight to the complex world that is Black hair. This book not only focuses on her own personal experience, but also the beautiful yet sometimes heartbreaking history that Black people have with their hair. While it may insignificant to most, Black hair culture is a complex, dynamic part of our identity. Dabiri spends chapters of the books discussing all facets of Black hair in relationship to Yoruba traditions, the hair binary, the relationship between Black men and their hair, historical figures like Madame C.J. Walker, cultural appropriation, and more.
What I enjoyed most about the book was the different views and perspectives that Dabiri explored. There were aspects of the text that I was familiar with while there were others that enlightened me on my own experiences and the experiences of others. One of most interesting points centered around "hair binary." According to Dabiri, we have become a culture where Black women who have natural hair are considered "woke" while those who do not are still considered to fit within the confines of traditional European standards. Dabiri attempts to reinforce the idea that this binary is not so black and white. At first, I didn't get what point she was trying to make, but then I realized that our relationship with our hair is so complex that creating something like a hair binary could never work. I also loved that she explored the complex relationship that exists between Black women and Black men in relation to hair. I think that Dabiri does an excellent job bringing the whole idea of internalized racism and proximity to Whiteness into this conversation and showing how it not only affects the relationship Black men have with Black women, but also the complex relationship they have with themselves. It was very clear from the text that Dabiri spent a great amount of time taking the basis of her own experience with Black hair culture and applying research to open the gateway for a well-rounded discussion.
There was one issue that I had with the book and it's the fact sometimes it felt as Dabiri had the habit of getting off topic. She would go off on a tangent and then be forced to attempt to bring it full circle back to the discussion about hair. I watched her doing a virtual talk on Youtube and she does discuss the fact that while this book is about Black hair culture there was more that she wanted to include. While I do feel as though the information was just as important it felt like I was reading two different novels at certain points in the book.
Overall, this was a great non-fiction pick for the month. I really think that if there are people who want to more about Black hair culture than I would definitely recommend picking it up.
adnamaeus's review
4.0
Fantastic book filled with both historical and anecdotal evidence not just for Black hair, but the Black experience.
franz_comme_kafka's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
such an important read
sapphistoire's review against another edition
4.0
Amazing! I think everyone should pick this up! Four stars because the last chapter completely lost me with all the maths and coding, but that's a me problem not a 'the book' problem!
itsmeenz's review against another edition
3.0
I really thought I would be giving this book 4*, but throughout the reading process I fell out of love with it sadly and found myself having to push through finishing it towards the end. There were definitely enjoyable and informative parts in the book and I had been looking forward to reading this for while, but sadly towards the end I found it more of a struggle and I was reading it just to complete it. Notably I’m not the biggest fan of non-fiction, but I really wanted this to capture my attention and not be a chore to read towards the end.