Our hair acceptance journey is full of influences, some of which led us to straighten our hair, and others encouraged us to embrace our curls, celebrating our true essence. These influences begin from childhood, and cartoons play a significant role in this narrative. An iconic example of this is the magical world of Walt Disney, which has given us unforgettable characters like Cinderella since 1950.
Why are we bringing this up? Because recently, Disney gifted us with a new movie called Encanto, in which the main character, Mirabel, is a beautiful curly girl.
Normalizing curly hair in a setting as influential as a Disney film is a significant milestone in the process of hair acceptance. It not only makes us feel represented but also welcomed and belonging to a space that, from childhood, teaches us to value diversity and break away from beauty standards that don’t reflect our truth.
Curly, coily, and wavy hair is unique and deserves to be celebrated, and with characters like Mirabel, the message of self-acceptance and self-love is shared with the next generation. The future is a place where all hair types are welcome, where diversity is celebrated, and where every child grows up confident and empowered, embracing their roots and their unique beauty.
Thank you, Walt Disney, for paving the way for this hair acceptance revolution. Long live curls, coils, and waves, because they are all free and beautiful, just like you!
