“In high school,” Denée Benton says, “I
learned about Eurocentric beauty standards
and black self-loathing, and it blew my mind.”
The idea of other young black girls feeling
less-than because of the images of beauty
reflected back at them on TV wasn’t something
Benton could abide. Her answer was to
proudly, unequivocally embrace her hair’s
natural texture. It’s what the Afro has been
about for decades. “During the 1960s, the
style was a rejection of a traditional European
look and a way to embrace one’s African
heritage,” says A’Lelia Bundles, hair historian,
author, and great-great-granddaughter of
haircare pioneer Madam C.J. Walker. “It was
about self-love and self-affirmation.”
Benton, who plays Eliza Hamilton in the
Broadway production of Hamilton (which
gloriously crossed racial boundaries by
casting mostly people of color to play key
figures in American history), now recognizes
the magnitude of her decision to wear her hair
natural. “Growing up, I hardly ever got to see a
dark-skinned black woman with natural hair at
the center of an incredible love story like this.”
The truth is, many young people who wear
their hair natural are still marginalized today.
In recent years, students spor ting cer tain
hairstyles (Afros, braids, twists, locks) have
been targeted by school administrations—one
young girl was even threatened with expulsion
if she didn’t cut off her hair, which was deemed
a “distrac tion” to her classmates. Benton
wants better for the next generation and thinks
that as more prominent women wear their
hair natural, perceptions will change. “I hope
tomorrow’s 18-year-olds have an easier time.”I try to always wear
my hair natural on red
carpets so black girls
can feel represented.DENÉE BENTON, ACTORDress, Monse. Earrings, Bonheur Jewelry.
Bracelet, Alexis Bittar.58 SEPTEMBER^2019 OPRAHMAG.COM
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