[Script Info]
Title: 
[Events]
Format: Layer, Start, End, Style, Name, MarginL, MarginR, MarginV, Effect, Text
Dialogue: 0,0:00:00.95,0:00:03.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I am from the South Side of Chicago,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:03.92,0:00:05.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and in seventh grade,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:05.85,0:00:08.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I had a best friend named Jenny
Dialogue: 0,0:00:08.22,0:00:11.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who lived on the Southwest\NSide of Chicago.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:11.55,0:00:13.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Jenny was white,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:13.68,0:00:17.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and if you know anything about\Nthe segragated demographics of Chicago,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:17.63,0:00:20.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you know that there are not\Ntoo many black people
Dialogue: 0,0:00:20.81,0:00:22.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who live on the Southwest Side of Chicago.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:22.86,0:00:24.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But Jenny was my girl,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:24.13,0:00:28.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and so we would hang out\Nevery so often after school
Dialogue: 0,0:00:28.20,0:00:29.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and on the weekends.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:29.39,0:00:32.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And so one day we were\Nhanging out in her living room,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:32.38,0:00:35.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,talking about 13-year-old things,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:35.68,0:00:38.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and Jenny's little sister Rosie\Nwas in the room with us,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:38.89,0:00:41.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and she was sitting behind me\Njust kind of playing with my hair,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:41.93,0:00:46.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I wasn't thinking too much\Nabout what she was doing.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:46.56,0:00:48.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But at a pause in the conversation,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:48.91,0:00:51.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Rosie tapped me on the shoulder.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:51.37,0:00:54.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,She said, "Can I ask you a question?"
Dialogue: 0,0:00:54.30,0:00:56.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I said, "Yeah, Rosie, sure."
Dialogue: 0,0:00:56.98,0:00:58.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Are you black?"
Dialogue: 0,0:00:58.80,0:01:00.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:01:00.75,0:01:02.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The room froze.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:02.81,0:01:04.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Silence.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:04.77,0:01:07.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Jenny and Rosie's mom\Nwas not too far away.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:07.36,0:01:08.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,She was in the kitchen,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:08.46,0:01:10.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and she overheard the conversation,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:10.43,0:01:12.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and she was mortified.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:12.57,0:01:16.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,She said, "Rosie! You can't ask\Npeople questions like that."
Dialogue: 0,0:01:16.70,0:01:18.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And Jenny was my friend,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:18.62,0:01:20.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I know she was really embarrassed.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:20.48,0:01:22.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I felt kind of bad for her,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:22.02,0:01:24.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but actually I was not offended.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:24.80,0:01:29.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I figured it wasn't Rosie's fault\Nthat in her 10 short years on this earth,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:29.84,0:01:32.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,living on the Southwest Side of Chicago,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:32.54,0:01:35.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,she wasn't 100 percent sure\Nwhat a black person looked like.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:35.55,0:01:36.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That's fair.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:37.07,0:01:39.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But what was more surprising to me was,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:39.44,0:01:44.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in all of this time I had spent\Nwith Jenny and Rosie's family,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:44.12,0:01:45.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,hanging out with them,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:45.57,0:01:46.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,playing with them,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:46.78,0:01:49.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,even physically interacting with them,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:49.58,0:01:54.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it was not until Rosie\Nput her hands in my hair
Dialogue: 0,0:01:54.04,0:01:56.100,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that she thought to ask me if I was black.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:57.67,0:02:00.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That was the first time I would realize
Dialogue: 0,0:02:00.56,0:02:05.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,how big of a role the texture of my hair\Nplayed in confirming my ethnicity,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:05.53,0:02:10.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but also that it would play a key role\Nin how I'm viewed by others in society.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:11.53,0:02:15.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Garrett A. Morgan and\NMadame C.J. Walker were pioneers
Dialogue: 0,0:02:15.09,0:02:18.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of the black hair-care and beauty\Nindustry in the early 1900s.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:18.92,0:02:22.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They're best known as the inventors\Nof chemically-based hair cremes
Dialogue: 0,0:02:22.79,0:02:26.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and heat straightening tools\Ndesigned to permanently,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:26.61,0:02:28.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or semi-permanently,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:28.05,0:02:31.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,alter the texture of black hair.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:31.65,0:02:35.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Oftentimes when we think about\Nthe history of blacks in America,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:35.55,0:02:38.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we think about the heinous acts
Dialogue: 0,0:02:38.48,0:02:41.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and numerous injustices\Nthat we experienced
Dialogue: 0,0:02:41.78,0:02:44.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as people of color because\Nof the color of our skin,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:44.75,0:02:45.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when in fact,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:45.89,0:02:48.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in post-Civil War America,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:48.30,0:02:53.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it was the hair of an\NAfrican-American male or female
Dialogue: 0,0:02:53.60,0:02:58.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that was the known as the most\N"telling feature" of negro status,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:58.50,0:03:00.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,more so than the color of the skin.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:01.38,0:03:03.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And so before they were staples
Dialogue: 0,0:03:03.80,0:03:07.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of the multi-billion dollar\Nhair-care industry,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:07.68,0:03:10.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,our dependency on tools and products,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:10.52,0:03:13.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,like the hair relaxer\Nand the pressing comb,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:13.87,0:03:18.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,were more about our survival\Nand advancement as a race
Dialogue: 0,0:03:18.25,0:03:20.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in post-slavery America.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:22.06,0:03:23.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Over the years,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:23.19,0:03:25.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we grew accustomed to this idea
Dialogue: 0,0:03:25.66,0:03:31.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that straighter and longer\Nhair meant better and more beautiful.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:32.04,0:03:35.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We became culturally obsessed
Dialogue: 0,0:03:35.32,0:03:39.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with this idea of having\Nwhat we like to call ...
Dialogue: 0,0:03:39.07,0:03:41.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Good hair."
Dialogue: 0,0:03:41.84,0:03:45.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This essentially means\Nthe looser the curl pattern,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:45.89,0:03:47.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the better the hair.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:48.01,0:03:54.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And we let these institutionalized ideas\Nform a false sense of hierarchy
Dialogue: 0,0:03:54.38,0:04:00.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that would determine what\Nwas considered a good grade of hair
Dialogue: 0,0:04:00.14,0:04:02.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and what was not.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:03.41,0:04:04.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,What's worse
Dialogue: 0,0:04:04.41,0:04:09.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is that we let these false ideologies\Ninvade our perception of ourselves,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:09.55,0:04:13.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and they still continue\Nto infect our cultural identity
Dialogue: 0,0:04:13.08,0:04:15.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as African-American women today.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:17.00,0:04:18.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So what did we do?
Dialogue: 0,0:04:18.62,0:04:22.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We went to the hair salon every\Nsix-to-eight weeks,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:22.68,0:04:23.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,without fail,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:23.96,0:04:27.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to subject our scalps to harsh\Nstraightening chemicals
Dialogue: 0,0:04:27.42,0:04:29.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,beginning at a very young age --
Dialogue: 0,0:04:29.49,0:04:31.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,sometimes eight, 10 --
Dialogue: 0,0:04:31.44,0:04:34.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that would result in hair loss,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:34.74,0:04:35.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,bald spots,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:35.87,0:04:38.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,sometimes even burns on the scalp.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:38.79,0:04:43.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We fry our hair at temperatures\Nof 450 degrees farhenheit or higher
Dialogue: 0,0:04:43.44,0:04:44.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,almost daily,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:44.80,0:04:47.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to maintain the straight look.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:47.81,0:04:52.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Or we simply cover our hair up\Nwith wigs and weaves,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:52.44,0:04:55.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,only to let our roots breathe in private
Dialogue: 0,0:04:55.40,0:04:58.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,where no one knows what's really\Ngoing on under there.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:59.77,0:05:03.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We adopted these practices\Nin our own communities,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:03.31,0:05:08.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and so it's no wonder why today\Nthe typical ideal vision
Dialogue: 0,0:05:08.61,0:05:11.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of a professional black woman,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:11.39,0:05:13.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,especially in corporate America,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:13.25,0:05:16.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,tends to look like this,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:16.85,0:05:18.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,rather than like this.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:19.46,0:05:22.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And she certainly doesn't look like this.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:23.67,0:05:25.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In September of this year,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:25.78,0:05:29.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a federal court ruled it lawful\Nfor a company to discriminate
Dialogue: 0,0:05:30.02,0:05:35.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,against hiring an empoloyee based\Non if she or he wears dreadlocks.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:36.79,0:05:37.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In the case,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:37.87,0:05:40.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the hiring manager in Mobile, Alabama,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:40.47,0:05:42.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is on record as saying,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:43.21,0:05:45.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"I'm not saying yours are messy,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:46.08,0:05:47.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but ...
Dialogue: 0,0:05:47.44,0:05:49.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you know what I'm talking about."
Dialogue: 0,0:05:50.47,0:05:53.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Well, what was she talking about?
Dialogue: 0,0:05:54.01,0:05:56.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Did she think that they were ugly?
Dialogue: 0,0:05:57.24,0:06:01.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Or maybe they were just\Na little too Afro-centric
Dialogue: 0,0:06:01.81,0:06:03.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and pro-black-looking for her taste.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:04.78,0:06:06.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Or maybe it's not about Afro-centricity,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:06.90,0:06:10.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and it's more just about it being a little\Ntoo "urban" for the professional setting.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:12.13,0:06:15.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Perhaps she had a genuine concern\Nin that they looked "scary"
Dialogue: 0,0:06:16.06,0:06:19.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and that they would "intimdate"\Nthe clients and their customer base.\N
Dialogue: 0,0:06:20.96,0:06:27.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,All of these orse are ones that are\Ntoo often associated with the stigma
Dialogue: 0,0:06:27.34,0:06:29.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,attached to natural hairstyles.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:30.28,0:06:32.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And this ...
Dialogue: 0,0:06:32.17,0:06:34.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,this has got to change.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:35.59,0:06:36.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In 2013,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:37.03,0:06:41.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a white paper published by the Deloitte\NCenter for Leadership and Inclusion,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:41.43,0:06:44.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,studied 3,000 individuals\Nin executive leadership roles
Dialogue: 0,0:06:44.91,0:06:47.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,on the concept of covering\Nin the workplace
Dialogue: 0,0:06:47.46,0:06:51.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,based on appearance, advocacy,\Naffiliation and association.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:52.60,0:06:55.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When thinking about\Nappearance-based covering,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:55.86,0:07:02.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the study showed that 67 percent\Nof women of color cover in the workplace
Dialogue: 0,0:07:02.89,0:07:05.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,based on their appearnace.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:05.63,0:07:09.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Of the total respondents who\Nadmitted to appearance-based covering,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:10.05,0:07:14.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,82 percent said that it was "somewhat\Nto extremely important"
Dialogue: 0,0:07:14.60,0:07:18.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for them to do so for their\Nprofessional advancement.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:18.52,0:07:20.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now this is Ursala Burns.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:21.40,0:07:26.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,She is the first African-American,\Nfemale CEO of a Fortune 500 Company,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:27.06,0:07:28.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of Xerox.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:28.91,0:07:30.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,She's known by her signature look,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:30.98,0:07:32.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the one that you see here.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:32.52,0:07:36.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A short, nicely trimmed,\Nwell-manicured afro.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:37.58,0:07:40.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Ms. Burns is what we like to call\Na "natural girl."
Dialogue: 0,0:07:41.67,0:07:44.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And she is paving the way\Nand showing what's possible
Dialogue: 0,0:07:44.86,0:07:48.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for African American women\Nseeking to climb the corporate ladder
Dialogue: 0,0:07:48.73,0:07:51.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but still wish to wear natural hairstyles.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:52.25,0:07:56.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But today the majority\Nof African-American women
Dialogue: 0,0:07:56.36,0:08:00.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who we still look to as leaders,\Nicons and role models,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:01.09,0:08:04.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,still opt for a straight hair look.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:04.51,0:08:07.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, maybe it's because they want to --
Dialogue: 0,0:08:07.42,0:08:10.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,this is authentically\Nhow they feel best --
Dialogue: 0,0:08:10.76,0:08:12.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but maybe --
Dialogue: 0,0:08:12.28,0:08:13.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I bet --
Dialogue: 0,0:08:13.91,0:08:16.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that a part of them felt like they had to
Dialogue: 0,0:08:17.10,0:08:21.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in order to reach the level of success\Nthat they have attained today.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:22.71,0:08:27.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There is a natural hair movement\Nthat is sweeping the country,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:28.02,0:08:30.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and also in some places in Europe.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:31.09,0:08:36.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Millions of women are exploring what\Nit means to transition to natural hair,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:36.18,0:08:40.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and they're cutting off years and years\Nof dry, damaged ends
Dialogue: 0,0:08:40.26,0:08:42.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in order to restore\Ntheir natural curl pattern.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:43.24,0:08:47.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I know because I have been an advocate\Nand an ambassador for this movement
Dialogue: 0,0:08:47.64,0:08:49.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for roughly the last three years.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:50.18,0:08:55.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,After 27 years of excessive heat\Nand harsh chemicals,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:55.57,0:09:00.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,my hair was beginning to show\Nextreme signs of wear and tear.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:01.66,0:09:03.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It was breaking off,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:03.47,0:09:04.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it was thinning,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:04.85,0:09:07.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,looking just extremely dry and brittle.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:07.76,0:09:11.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,All those years of chasing\Nthat conventional image of beauty
Dialogue: 0,0:09:11.39,0:09:12.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that we saw earlier,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:12.38,0:09:14.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,was finally beginning to take its toll.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:15.68,0:09:18.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I wanted to do something about it,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:18.47,0:09:22.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and so I started what I call\Nthe "no heat challenge,"
Dialogue: 0,0:09:23.00,0:09:28.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,where I would refrain from using\Nheat styling tools on my hair for 6 months
Dialogue: 0,0:09:29.00,0:09:32.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and like a good millenial,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:32.36,0:09:34.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I documented it on social media.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:34.50,0:09:35.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:09:35.84,0:09:44.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I documented as I reluctantly cut off\Nthree-to-four inches of my beloved hair.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:44.46,0:09:49.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I documented as I struggled to master\Nthese natural hairstyles,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:49.74,0:09:53.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and also as I struggled to embrace them
Dialogue: 0,0:09:54.07,0:09:57.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and think that they actually looked good.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I documented as my hair texture\Nslowly began to change.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,By sharing this journey openly,
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I learned that I was not the only\Nwoman going through this,
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and that in fact there were thousands\Nand thousands of other women
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who were longing to do the same.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So they would reach out to me\Nand they would say,
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Cheyenne,
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,how did you do that natural hairstyle\Nthat I saw you with the other day?
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,What new products have you started using
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that might be a little better\Nfor my hair texture
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as it begins to change.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Or what are some\Nof the natural hair routines
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that I should begin to adopt\Nto slowly restore the health of my hair?"
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But I also found that there were\Na large number of women
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who were extremely hesistant\Nto take that first step
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because they were paralyzed by fear.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Fear of the unknown --
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,what would they now look like?
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,How would they feel about themselves\Nwith these natural hairstyles?
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And most importantly to them,
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,how would others view them?
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Over the last three years\Nof having numerous conversations
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with friends of mine and also complete\Nstrangers from around the world,
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I learned some really important things
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,about how African-American women\Nidentify with their hair.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And so when I think back\Nto that hiring manager in Mobile, Alabama,
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'd say, "Actually no,
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we don't know what you're talking about.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But here are some things that we do know.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We know that when black women\Nembrace their love for their natural hair,
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it helps to undo generations of teaching
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that black in its natural state\Nis not beautiful,
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or something to be hidden or covered up.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We know that black women\Nexpress their idividuality,
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and experience feelings of empowerment
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,by experimenting with different\Nhairstyles regularly.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And we also know that when we're invited\Nto wear our natural hair in the workplace,
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it reinforces that we are uniquely valued,
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and thus helps us to flourish\Nand advance professionally."
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I leave you with this.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In a time of racial and social tension,
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,embracing this movement,
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and others like this,
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,help us to rise above the confines\Nof the status quo.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So when you see a woman with braids\Nor locks draping down her back,
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or you notice your colleague who has\Nstopped straightening her hair to work,
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,do no simply approach her and admire\Nand ask her if you can touch it --
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Really appreciate her.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Applaud her.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Hey, even high-five her if that's what\Nyou feel so inclined to do.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Because this --
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,this is more than about a hairstyle.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's about self-love and self-worth.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's about being brave enough
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,not to fold under the pressure\Nof others' expectations.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And about knowing that making\Nthe decision to stray from the norm
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,does not define who we are,
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but it simply reveals who we are.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And finally,
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,being brave is easier
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when we can count on\Nthe compassion of others.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So after today,
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I certainly hope that we can count on you.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Thank you.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Applause)