[Script Info]
Title: 
[Events]
Format: Layer, Start, End, Style, Name, MarginL, MarginR, MarginV, Effect, Text
Dialogue: 0,0:00:00.80,0:00:03.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I am from the South Side of Chicago,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:03.64,0:00:07.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and in seventh grade,\NI had a best friend named Jenny
Dialogue: 0,0:00:07.76,0:00:10.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who lived on the Southwest\NSide of Chicago.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:11.36,0:00:13.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Jenny was white,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:13.36,0:00:17.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and if you know anything about\Nthe segregated demographics of Chicago,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:17.36,0:00:20.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you know that there are\Nnot too many black people
Dialogue: 0,0:00:20.52,0:00:22.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who live on the Southwest Side of Chicago.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:22.60,0:00:23.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But Jenny was my girl
Dialogue: 0,0:00:23.88,0:00:28.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and so we would hang out every so often\Nafter school and on the weekends.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:28.80,0:00:32.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And so one day we were\Nhanging out in her living room,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:32.12,0:00:35.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,talking about 13-year-old things,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:35.40,0:00:38.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and Jenny's little sister Rosie\Nwas in the room with us,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:38.64,0:00:41.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and she was sitting behind me\Njust kind of playing in my hair,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:41.72,0:00:45.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I wasn't thinking too much\Nabout what she was doing.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:46.40,0:00:48.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But at a pause in the conversation,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:48.64,0:00:51.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Rosie tapped me on the shoulder.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:51.16,0:00:53.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,She said, "Can I ask you a question?"
Dialogue: 0,0:00:54.12,0:00:55.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I said, "Yeah, Rosie. Sure."
Dialogue: 0,0:00:56.80,0:00:58.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Are you black?"
Dialogue: 0,0:00:58.24,0:01:00.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:01:00.48,0:01:02.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The room froze.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:02.40,0:01:03.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Silence.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:04.88,0:01:07.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Jenny and Rosie's mom\Nwas not too far away.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:07.16,0:01:10.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,She was in the kitchen\Nand she overheard the conversation,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:10.08,0:01:11.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and she was mortified.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:12.32,0:01:15.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,She said, "Rosie! You can't\Nask people questions like that."
Dialogue: 0,0:01:16.64,0:01:20.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And Jenny was my friend,\Nand I know she was really embarrassed.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:20.24,0:01:24.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I felt kind of bad for her,\Nbut actually I was not offended.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:24.60,0:01:29.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I figured it wasn't Rosie's fault\Nthat in her 10 short years on this earth,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:29.68,0:01:32.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,living on the Southwest Side of Chicago,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:32.16,0:01:35.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,she wasn't 100 percent sure\Nwhat a black person looked like.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:35.44,0:01:36.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That's fair.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:36.88,0:01:39.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But what was more surprising to me was,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:39.28,0:01:43.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in all of this time I had spent\Nwith Jenny and Rosie's family --
Dialogue: 0,0:01:43.80,0:01:45.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,hanging out with them,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:45.16,0:01:46.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,playing with them,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:46.44,0:01:49.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,even physically interacting with them --
Dialogue: 0,0:01:49.24,0:01:53.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it was not until Rosie\Nput her hands in my hair
Dialogue: 0,0:01:53.76,0:01:56.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that she thought to ask me if I was black.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:57.56,0:02:00.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That was the first time I would realize
Dialogue: 0,0:02:00.28,0:02:05.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,how big of a role the texture of my hair\Nplayed in confirming my ethnicity,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:05.24,0:02:09.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but also that it would play a key role\Nin how I'm viewed by others in society.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:11.40,0:02:14.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Garrett A. Morgan\Nand Madame CJ Walker were pioneers
Dialogue: 0,0:02:14.64,0:02:18.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of the black hair-care and beauty\Nindustry in the early 1900s.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:18.68,0:02:22.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They're best known as the inventors\Nof chemically-based hair creams
Dialogue: 0,0:02:22.48,0:02:24.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and heat straightening tools
Dialogue: 0,0:02:24.04,0:02:27.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,designed to permanently,\Nor semipermanently,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:27.64,0:02:30.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,alter the texture of black hair.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:31.36,0:02:35.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Oftentimes when we think\Nabout the history of blacks in America,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:35.16,0:02:38.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we think about the heinous acts
Dialogue: 0,0:02:38.08,0:02:42.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and numerous injustices\Nthat we experienced as people of color
Dialogue: 0,0:02:42.60,0:02:44.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because of the color of our skin,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:44.36,0:02:48.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when in fact, in post-Civil War America,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:48.04,0:02:53.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it was the hair of an\NAfrican-American male or female
Dialogue: 0,0:02:53.24,0:02:58.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that was known as the most\N"telling feature" of Negro status,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:58.12,0:03:00.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,more so than the color of the skin.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:01.12,0:03:03.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And so before they were staples
Dialogue: 0,0:03:03.48,0:03:07.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of the multibillion-dollar\Nhair-care industry,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:07.44,0:03:10.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,our dependency on tools and products,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:10.24,0:03:13.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,like the hair relaxer\Nand the pressing comb,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:13.56,0:03:17.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,were more about our survival\Nand advancement as a race
Dialogue: 0,0:03:18.00,0:03:20.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in postslavery America.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:21.88,0:03:25.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Over the years,\Nwe grew accustomed to this idea
Dialogue: 0,0:03:25.28,0:03:30.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that straighter and longer\Nhair meant better and more beautiful.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:31.80,0:03:34.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We became culturally obsessed
Dialogue: 0,0:03:34.96,0:03:38.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with this idea of having\Nwhat we like to call ...
Dialogue: 0,0:03:38.84,0:03:40.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"good hair."
Dialogue: 0,0:03:41.68,0:03:43.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This essentially means:
Dialogue: 0,0:03:43.28,0:03:46.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the looser the curl pattern,\Nthe better the hair.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:47.72,0:03:54.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And we let these institutionalized ideas\Nform a false sense of hierarchy
Dialogue: 0,0:03:54.20,0:03:59.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that would determine\Nwhat was considered a good grade of hair
Dialogue: 0,0:03:59.80,0:04:01.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and what was not.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:03.32,0:04:06.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,What's worse is that\Nwe let these false ideologies
Dialogue: 0,0:04:06.64,0:04:09.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,invade our perception of ourselves,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:09.40,0:04:12.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and they still continue\Nto infect our cultural identity
Dialogue: 0,0:04:12.76,0:04:15.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as African-American women today.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:16.72,0:04:18.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So what did we do?
Dialogue: 0,0:04:18.24,0:04:22.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We went to the hair salon\Nevery six to eight weeks,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:22.28,0:04:23.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,without fail,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:23.68,0:04:27.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to subject our scalps\Nto harsh straightening chemicals
Dialogue: 0,0:04:27.04,0:04:28.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,beginning at a very young age --
Dialogue: 0,0:04:29.00,0:04:31.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,sometimes eight, 10 --
Dialogue: 0,0:04:31.08,0:04:34.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that would result in hair loss,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:34.32,0:04:35.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,bald spots,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:35.56,0:04:37.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,sometimes even burns on the scalp.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:38.44,0:04:43.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We fry our hair at temperatures\Nof 450 degrees Fahrenheit or higher
Dialogue: 0,0:04:43.24,0:04:44.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,almost daily,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:44.52,0:04:46.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to maintain the straight look.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:47.44,0:04:52.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Or we simply cover our hair up\Nwith wigs and weaves,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:52.36,0:04:55.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,only to let our roots breathe in private
Dialogue: 0,0:04:55.04,0:04:58.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,where no one knows\Nwhat's really going on under there.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:59.52,0:05:02.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We adopted these practices\Nin our own communities,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:02.84,0:05:08.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and so it's no wonder\Nwhy today the typical ideal vision
Dialogue: 0,0:05:08.20,0:05:10.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of a professional black woman,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:10.96,0:05:12.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,especially in corporate America,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:12.88,0:05:15.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,tends to look like this,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:16.32,0:05:17.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,rather than like this.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:19.16,0:05:22.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And she certainly doesn't look like this.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:23.32,0:05:25.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In September of this year,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:25.32,0:05:27.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a federal court ruled it lawful
Dialogue: 0,0:05:27.84,0:05:32.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for a company to discriminate\Nagainst hiring an employee
Dialogue: 0,0:05:32.20,0:05:35.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,based on if she or he wears dreadlocks.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:36.56,0:05:37.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In the case,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:37.80,0:05:40.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the hiring manager in Mobile, Alabama
Dialogue: 0,0:05:40.08,0:05:41.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is on record as saying,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:42.96,0:05:44.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"I'm not saying yours are messy,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:45.64,0:05:46.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but ...
Dialogue: 0,0:05:47.00,0:05:48.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you know what I'm talking about."
Dialogue: 0,0:05:50.44,0:05:52.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Well, what was she talking about?
Dialogue: 0,0:05:53.76,0:05:55.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Did she think that they were ugly?
Dialogue: 0,0:05:56.92,0:06:01.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Or maybe they were\Njust a little too Afrocentric
Dialogue: 0,0:06:01.40,0:06:03.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and pro-black-looking for her taste.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:04.48,0:06:06.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Or maybe it's not about Afrocentricity,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:06.44,0:06:08.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and it's more just about\Nit being a little too "urban"
Dialogue: 0,0:06:09.00,0:06:10.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for the professional setting.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:11.88,0:06:15.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Perhaps she had a genuine concern\Nin that they looked "scary"
Dialogue: 0,0:06:15.56,0:06:19.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and that they would intimidate\Nthe clients and their customer base.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:20.68,0:06:25.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,All of these words are ones\Nthat are too often associated
Dialogue: 0,0:06:25.80,0:06:29.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with the stigma\Nattached to natural hairstyles.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:30.00,0:06:31.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And this ...
Dialogue: 0,0:06:31.72,0:06:33.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,this has got to change.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:35.28,0:06:36.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In 2013,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:36.56,0:06:41.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a white paper published by the Deloitte\NLeadership Center for Inclusion,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:41.08,0:06:44.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,studied 3,000 individuals\Nin executive leadership roles
Dialogue: 0,0:06:44.52,0:06:47.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,on the concept\Nof covering in the workplace
Dialogue: 0,0:06:47.16,0:06:51.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,based on appearance,\Nadvocacy, affiliation and association.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:52.32,0:06:55.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When thinking about\Nappearance-based covering,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:55.40,0:06:56.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the study showed
Dialogue: 0,0:06:56.68,0:07:02.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that 67 percent of women\Nof color cover in the workplace
Dialogue: 0,0:07:02.76,0:07:04.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,based on their appearance.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:05.36,0:07:09.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Of the total respondents who\Nadmitted to appearance-based covering,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:09.84,0:07:14.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,82 percent said that it was\Nsomewhat to extremely important
Dialogue: 0,0:07:14.12,0:07:17.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for them to do so\Nfor their professional advancement.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:17.80,0:07:20.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, this is Ursula Burns.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:21.12,0:07:26.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,She is the first African-American\Nfemale CEO of a Fortune 500 company --
Dialogue: 0,0:07:26.68,0:07:27.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of Xerox.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:28.36,0:07:30.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,She's known by her signature look,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:30.44,0:07:32.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the one that you see here.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:32.16,0:07:36.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A short, nicely trimmed,\Nwell-manicured Afro.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:37.36,0:07:40.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Ms. Burns is what\Nwe like to call a "natural girl."
Dialogue: 0,0:07:41.40,0:07:44.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And she is paving the way\Nand showing what's possible
Dialogue: 0,0:07:44.64,0:07:48.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for African-American women\Nseeking to climb the corporate ladder,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:48.40,0:07:51.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but still wishing\Nto wear natural hairstyles.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:51.92,0:07:55.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But today the majority\Nof African-American women
Dialogue: 0,0:07:56.00,0:08:00.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who we still look to as leaders,\Nicons and role models,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:00.72,0:08:04.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,still opt for a straight-hair look.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:04.04,0:08:05.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:05.28,0:08:06.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,maybe it's because they want to --
Dialogue: 0,0:08:07.00,0:08:10.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,this is authentically\Nhow they feel best --
Dialogue: 0,0:08:10.32,0:08:11.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but maybe --
Dialogue: 0,0:08:11.84,0:08:13.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I bet --
Dialogue: 0,0:08:13.48,0:08:16.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a part of them felt like they had to
Dialogue: 0,0:08:16.76,0:08:21.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in order to reach the level of success\Nthat they have attained today.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:22.44,0:08:27.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There is a natural hair movement\Nthat is sweeping the country
Dialogue: 0,0:08:27.56,0:08:29.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and also in some places in Europe.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:30.76,0:08:35.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Millions of women are exploring what\Nit means to transition to natural hair,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:35.88,0:08:39.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and they're cutting off\Nyears and years of dry, damaged ends
Dialogue: 0,0:08:39.92,0:08:42.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in order to restore\Ntheir natural curl pattern.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:42.92,0:08:47.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I know because I have been an advocate\Nand an ambassador for this movement
Dialogue: 0,0:08:47.28,0:08:49.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for roughly the last three years.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:49.80,0:08:55.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,After 27 years of excessive heat\Nand harsh chemicals,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:55.40,0:09:00.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,my hair was beginning to show\Nextreme signs of wear and tear.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:01.48,0:09:03.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It was breaking off,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:03.04,0:09:04.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it was thinning,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:04.44,0:09:07.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,looking just extremely dry and brittle.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:07.52,0:09:10.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,All those years of chasing\Nthat conventional image of beauty
Dialogue: 0,0:09:10.92,0:09:12.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that we saw earlier
Dialogue: 0,0:09:12.16,0:09:14.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,was finally beginning to take its toll.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:15.80,0:09:18.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I wanted to do something about it,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:18.04,0:09:22.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and so I started what I called\Nthe "No Heat Challenge,"
Dialogue: 0,0:09:22.56,0:09:26.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,where I would refrain\Nfrom using heat styling tools on my hair
Dialogue: 0,0:09:26.44,0:09:27.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for six months.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:28.96,0:09:31.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And like a good millennial,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:31.80,0:09:34.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I documented it on social media.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:34.04,0:09:35.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:09:35.32,0:09:39.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I documented as I reluctantly cut off
Dialogue: 0,0:09:39.40,0:09:43.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,three to four inches of my beloved hair.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:44.04,0:09:49.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I documented as I struggled\Nto master these natural hairstyles,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:49.60,0:09:53.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and also as I struggled to embrace them
Dialogue: 0,0:09:53.64,0:09:56.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and think that they actually looked good.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:57.76,0:10:03.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I documented as my hair texture\Nslowly began to change.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:04.44,0:10:06.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,By sharing this journey openly,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:06.92,0:10:10.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I learned that I was not\Nthe only woman going through this
Dialogue: 0,0:10:10.72,0:10:14.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and that in fact there were thousands\Nand thousands of other women
Dialogue: 0,0:10:14.52,0:10:16.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who were longing to do the same.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:16.96,0:10:19.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So they would reach out to me\Nand they would say,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:19.32,0:10:21.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Cheyenne, how did you do\Nthat natural hairstyle
Dialogue: 0,0:10:21.60,0:10:23.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that I saw you with the other day?
Dialogue: 0,0:10:23.56,0:10:25.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,What new products have you started using
Dialogue: 0,0:10:25.60,0:10:27.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that might be a little better\Nfor my hair texture
Dialogue: 0,0:10:27.96,0:10:29.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as it begins to change?"
Dialogue: 0,0:10:29.96,0:10:33.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Or, "What are some\Nof the natural hair routines
Dialogue: 0,0:10:33.80,0:10:37.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that I should begin to adopt\Nto slowly restore the health of my hair?"
Dialogue: 0,0:10:39.16,0:10:42.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But I also found that there were\Na large number of women
Dialogue: 0,0:10:42.88,0:10:46.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who were extremely hesitant\Nto take that first step
Dialogue: 0,0:10:47.72,0:10:50.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because they were paralyzed by fear.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:51.40,0:10:53.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Fear of the unknown --
Dialogue: 0,0:10:53.16,0:10:54.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,what would they now look like?
Dialogue: 0,0:10:55.44,0:10:59.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,How would they feel about themselves\Nwith these natural hairstyles?
Dialogue: 0,0:10:59.80,0:11:02.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And most importantly to them,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:02.24,0:11:04.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,how would others view them?
Dialogue: 0,0:11:05.40,0:11:07.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Over the last three years
Dialogue: 0,0:11:07.24,0:11:11.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of having numerous conversations\Nwith friends of mine
Dialogue: 0,0:11:11.16,0:11:15.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and also complete strangers\Nfrom around the world,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:15.12,0:11:17.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I learned some really important things
Dialogue: 0,0:11:17.84,0:11:21.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,about how African-American women\Nidentify with their hair.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:22.80,0:11:24.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And so when I think back
Dialogue: 0,0:11:24.80,0:11:28.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to that hiring manager in Mobile, Alabama,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:28.36,0:11:31.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'd say, "Actually, no.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:31.12,0:11:33.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We don't know what you're talking about."
Dialogue: 0,0:11:33.60,0:11:35.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But here are some things that we do know.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:36.72,0:11:41.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We know that when black women\Nembrace their love for their natural hair,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:41.72,0:11:45.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it helps to undo generations of teaching
Dialogue: 0,0:11:45.20,0:11:48.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that black in its natural state\Nis not beautiful,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:48.52,0:11:51.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or something to be hidden or covered up.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:52.48,0:11:56.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We know that black women\Nexpress their individuality
Dialogue: 0,0:11:56.76,0:11:59.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and experience feelings of empowerment
Dialogue: 0,0:11:59.88,0:12:03.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,by experimenting with different\Nhairstyles regularly.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:04.88,0:12:06.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And we also know
Dialogue: 0,0:12:06.52,0:12:11.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that when we're invited\Nto wear our natural hair in the workplace,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:11.44,0:12:14.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it reinforces that we are uniquely valued
Dialogue: 0,0:12:14.84,0:12:18.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and thus helps us to flourish\Nand advance professionally.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:20.52,0:12:21.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I leave you with this.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:22.60,0:12:25.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In a time of racial and social tension,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:26.44,0:12:28.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,embracing this movement
Dialogue: 0,0:12:28.40,0:12:30.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and others like this
Dialogue: 0,0:12:30.20,0:12:33.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,help us to rise above\Nthe confines of the status quo.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:34.72,0:12:40.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So when you see a woman with braids\Nor locks draping down her back,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:40.80,0:12:43.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or you notice your colleague
Dialogue: 0,0:12:43.36,0:12:46.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who has stopped\Nstraightening her hair to work,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:47.36,0:12:50.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,do not simply approach her and admire
Dialogue: 0,0:12:50.96,0:12:53.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and ask her if you can touch it --
Dialogue: 0,0:12:53.80,0:12:55.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:12:55.08,0:12:56.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Really appreciate her.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:57.92,0:12:59.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Applaud her.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:59.16,0:13:02.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Heck, even high-five her\Nif that's what you feel so inclined to do.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:03.52,0:13:05.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Because this --
Dialogue: 0,0:13:05.12,0:13:07.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,this is more than about a hairstyle.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:08.88,0:13:11.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's about self-love and self-worth.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:12.60,0:13:14.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's about being brave enough
Dialogue: 0,0:13:14.84,0:13:18.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,not to fold under the pressure\Nof others' expectations.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:19.80,0:13:24.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And about knowing that making\Nthe decision to stray from the norm
Dialogue: 0,0:13:24.40,0:13:26.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,does not define who we are,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:26.88,0:13:29.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but it simply reveals who we are.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:30.04,0:13:31.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And finally,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:31.80,0:13:33.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,being brave is easier
Dialogue: 0,0:13:33.68,0:13:36.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when we can count\Non the compassion of others.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:36.68,0:13:38.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So after today,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:38.56,0:13:41.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I certainly hope that we can count on you.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:42.36,0:13:43.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Thank you.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:43.60,0:13:47.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Applause)