[Script Info]
Title: 
[Events]
Format: Layer, Start, End, Style, Name, MarginL, MarginR, MarginV, Effect, Text
Dialogue: 0,0:00:14.34,0:00:16.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I am from the South Side of Chicago,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:17.20,0:00:21.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and in seventh grade,\NI had a best friend named Jenny
Dialogue: 0,0:00:21.09,0:00:23.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who lived on the Southwest\NSide of Chicago.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:24.80,0:00:26.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Jenny was white,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:26.43,0:00:30.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and if you know anything about\Nthe segregated demographics of Chicago,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:30.62,0:00:34.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you know that there are\Nnot too many black people
Dialogue: 0,0:00:34.03,0:00:36.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who live on the Southwest Side of Chicago.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:36.08,0:00:37.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But Jenny was my girl
Dialogue: 0,0:00:37.40,0:00:42.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and so we would hang out every so often\Nafter school and on the weekends.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:42.34,0:00:45.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And so one day we were\Nhanging out in her living room,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:45.57,0:00:48.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,talking about 13-year-old things,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:48.40,0:00:51.100,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and Jenny's little sister Rosie\Nwas in the room with us,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:51.100,0:00:55.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and she was sitting behind me\Njust kind of playing in my hair,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:55.02,0:00:59.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I wasn't thinking too much\Nabout what she was doing.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:59.99,0:01:02.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But at a pause in the conversation,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:02.13,0:01:04.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Rosie tapped me on the shoulder.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:04.53,0:01:07.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,She said, "Can I ask you a question?"
Dialogue: 0,0:01:07.52,0:01:09.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I said, "Yeah, Rosie. Sure."
Dialogue: 0,0:01:10.38,0:01:11.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Are you black?"
Dialogue: 0,0:01:11.80,0:01:14.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:01:14.07,0:01:15.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The room froze.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:15.88,0:01:17.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Silence.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:18.17,0:01:20.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Jenny and Rosie's mom\Nwas not too far away.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:20.73,0:01:23.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,She was in the kitchen\Nand she overheard the conversation,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:23.58,0:01:25.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and she was mortified.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:25.71,0:01:29.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,She said, "Rosie! You can't\Nask people questions like that."
Dialogue: 0,0:01:30.17,0:01:33.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And Jenny was my friend,\Nand I know she was really embarrassed.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:33.74,0:01:38.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I felt kind of bad for her,\Nbut actually I was not offended.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:38.02,0:01:42.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I figured it wasn't Rosie's fault\Nthat in her 10 short years on this earth,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:42.99,0:01:45.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,living on the Southwest Side of Chicago,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:45.61,0:01:48.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,she wasn't 100 percent sure\Nwhat a black person looked like.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:49.08,0:01:50.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That's fair.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:50.32,0:01:52.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But what was more surprising to me was,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:52.73,0:01:57.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in all of this time I had spent\Nwith Jenny and Rosie's family --
Dialogue: 0,0:01:57.10,0:01:58.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,hanging out with them,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:58.55,0:01:59.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,playing with them,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:59.91,0:02:02.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,even physically interacting with them --
Dialogue: 0,0:02:02.51,0:02:07.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it was not until Rosie\Nput her hands in my hair
Dialogue: 0,0:02:07.07,0:02:09.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that she thought to ask me if I was black.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:10.99,0:02:13.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That was the first time I would realize
Dialogue: 0,0:02:13.68,0:02:18.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,how big of a role the texture of my hair\Nplayed in confirming my ethnicity,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:18.38,0:02:23.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but also that it would play a key role\Nin how I'm viewed by others in society.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:24.69,0:02:28.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Garrett A. Morgan\Nand Madame CJ Walker were pioneers
Dialogue: 0,0:02:28.13,0:02:31.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of the black hair-care and beauty\Nindustry in the early 1900s.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:32.23,0:02:35.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They're best known as the inventors\Nof chemically-based hair creams
Dialogue: 0,0:02:35.94,0:02:37.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and heat straightening tools
Dialogue: 0,0:02:37.46,0:02:41.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,designed to permanently,\Nor semipermanently,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:41.03,0:02:43.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,alter the texture of black hair.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:45.04,0:02:48.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Oftentimes when we think\Nabout the history of blacks in America,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:48.73,0:02:51.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we think about the heinous acts
Dialogue: 0,0:02:51.70,0:02:56.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and numerous injustices\Nthat we experienced as people of color
Dialogue: 0,0:02:56.42,0:02:58.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because of the color of our skin,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:58.02,0:03:01.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when in fact, in post-Civil War America,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:01.57,0:03:06.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it was the hair of an\NAfrican-American male or female
Dialogue: 0,0:03:06.76,0:03:11.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that was known as the most\N"telling feature" of Negro status,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:11.75,0:03:13.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,more so than the color of the skin.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:14.79,0:03:17.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And so before they were staples
Dialogue: 0,0:03:17.14,0:03:20.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of the multibillion-dollar\Nhair-care industry,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:20.91,0:03:23.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,our dependency on tools and products,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:23.70,0:03:27.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,like the hair relaxer\Nand the pressing comb,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:27.16,0:03:31.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,were more about our survival\Nand advancement as a race
Dialogue: 0,0:03:31.52,0:03:33.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in postslavery America.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:35.43,0:03:38.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Over the years,\Nwe grew accustomed to this idea
Dialogue: 0,0:03:38.91,0:03:44.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that straighter and longer hair\Nmeant better and more beautiful.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:45.61,0:03:48.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We became culturally obsessed
Dialogue: 0,0:03:48.60,0:03:51.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with this idea of having\Nwhat we like to call ...
Dialogue: 0,0:03:52.44,0:03:53.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"good hair."
Dialogue: 0,0:03:55.39,0:03:56.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This essentially means:
Dialogue: 0,0:03:56.98,0:04:00.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the looser the curl pattern,\Nthe better the hair.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:01.52,0:04:07.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And we let these institutionalized ideas\Nform a false sense of hierarchy
Dialogue: 0,0:04:07.91,0:04:13.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that would determine\Nwhat was considered a good grade of hair
Dialogue: 0,0:04:13.04,0:04:14.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and what was not.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:17.10,0:04:20.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,What's worse is that\Nwe let these false ideologies
Dialogue: 0,0:04:20.33,0:04:22.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,invade our perception of ourselves,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:22.96,0:04:26.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and they still continue\Nto infect our cultural identity
Dialogue: 0,0:04:26.50,0:04:28.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as African-American women today.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:30.41,0:04:31.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So what did we do?
Dialogue: 0,0:04:31.88,0:04:35.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We went to the hair salon\Nevery six to eight weeks,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:35.89,0:04:37.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,without fail,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:37.36,0:04:40.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to subject our scalps\Nto harsh straightening chemicals
Dialogue: 0,0:04:40.78,0:04:42.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,beginning at a very young age --
Dialogue: 0,0:04:42.68,0:04:44.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,sometimes eight, 10 --
Dialogue: 0,0:04:44.68,0:04:48.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that would result in hair loss,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:48.85,0:04:50.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,bald spots,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:50.07,0:04:52.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,sometimes even burns on the scalp.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:52.91,0:04:57.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We fry our hair at temperatures\Nof 450 degrees Fahrenheit or higher
Dialogue: 0,0:04:57.64,0:04:59.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,almost daily,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:59.00,0:05:01.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to maintain the straight look.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:02.14,0:05:06.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Or we simply cover our hair up\Nwith wigs and weaves,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:06.36,0:05:09.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,only to let our roots breathe in private
Dialogue: 0,0:05:09.46,0:05:12.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,where no one knows\Nwhat's really going on under there.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:14.04,0:05:17.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We adopted these practices\Nin our own communities,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:17.46,0:05:22.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and so it's no wonder\Nwhy today the typical ideal vision
Dialogue: 0,0:05:22.87,0:05:25.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of a professional black woman,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:25.35,0:05:27.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,especially in corporate America,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:27.49,0:05:29.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,tends to look like this,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:30.44,0:05:31.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,rather than like this.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:33.80,0:05:36.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And she certainly doesn't look like this.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:37.99,0:05:39.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In September of this year,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:39.66,0:05:41.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a federal court ruled it lawful
Dialogue: 0,0:05:41.84,0:05:46.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for a company to discriminate\Nagainst hiring an employee
Dialogue: 0,0:05:46.20,0:05:49.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,based on if she or he wears dreadlocks.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:51.01,0:05:52.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In the case,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:52.02,0:05:54.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the hiring manager in Mobile, Alabama
Dialogue: 0,0:05:54.70,0:05:56.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is on record as saying,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:56.96,0:05:59.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"I'm not saying yours are messy,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:00.09,0:06:01.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but ...
Dialogue: 0,0:06:01.71,0:06:03.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you know what I'm talking about."
Dialogue: 0,0:06:04.91,0:06:07.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Well, what was she talking about?
Dialogue: 0,0:06:08.26,0:06:09.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Did she think that they were ugly?
Dialogue: 0,0:06:11.71,0:06:16.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Or maybe they were\Njust a little too Afrocentric
Dialogue: 0,0:06:16.20,0:06:18.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and pro-black-looking for her taste.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:18.95,0:06:20.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Or maybe it's not about Afrocentricity,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:20.89,0:06:23.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and it's more just about\Nit being a little too "urban"
Dialogue: 0,0:06:23.42,0:06:24.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for the professional setting.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:26.53,0:06:30.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Perhaps she had a genuine concern\Nin that they looked "scary"
Dialogue: 0,0:06:30.19,0:06:33.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and that they would intimidate\Nthe clients and their customer base.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:35.46,0:06:40.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,All of these words are ones\Nthat are too often associated
Dialogue: 0,0:06:40.56,0:06:44.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with the stigma\Nattached to natural hairstyles.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:44.60,0:06:45.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And this ...
Dialogue: 0,0:06:46.35,0:06:48.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,this has got to change.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:49.83,0:06:51.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In 2013,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:51.17,0:06:55.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a white paper published by the Deloitte\NLeadership Center for Inclusion,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:55.57,0:06:59.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,studied 3,000 individuals\Nin executive leadership roles
Dialogue: 0,0:06:59.12,0:07:01.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,on the concept\Nof covering in the workplace
Dialogue: 0,0:07:01.66,0:07:06.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,based on appearance,\Nadvocacy, affiliation and association.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:07.02,0:07:10.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When thinking about\Nappearance-based covering,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:10.06,0:07:11.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the study showed
Dialogue: 0,0:07:11.35,0:07:17.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that 67 percent of women\Nof color cover in the workplace
Dialogue: 0,0:07:17.31,0:07:18.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,based on their appearance.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:20.20,0:07:23.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Of the total respondents who\Nadmitted to appearance-based covering,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:24.45,0:07:28.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,82 percent said that it was\Nsomewhat to extremely important
Dialogue: 0,0:07:28.60,0:07:31.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for them to do so\Nfor their professional advancement.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:35.09,0:07:37.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, this is Ursula Burns.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:38.47,0:07:43.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,She is the first African-American\Nfemale CEO of a Fortune 500 company --
Dialogue: 0,0:07:43.80,0:07:45.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of Xerox.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:45.58,0:07:47.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,She's known by her signature look,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:47.82,0:07:49.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the one that you see here.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:49.59,0:07:53.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A short, nicely trimmed,\Nwell-manicured Afro.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:54.73,0:07:57.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Ms. Burns is what\Nwe like to call a "natural girl."
Dialogue: 0,0:07:58.70,0:08:01.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And she is paving the way\Nand showing what's possible
Dialogue: 0,0:08:01.96,0:08:05.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for African-American women\Nseeking to climb the corporate ladder,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:05.42,0:08:09.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but still wishing\Nto wear natural hairstyles.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:10.21,0:08:14.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But today the majority\Nof African-American women
Dialogue: 0,0:08:14.08,0:08:18.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who we still look to as leaders,\Nicons and role models,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:18.60,0:08:21.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,still opt for a straight-hair look.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:22.39,0:08:23.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:23.65,0:08:25.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,maybe it's because they want to --
Dialogue: 0,0:08:25.44,0:08:28.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,this is authentically\Nhow they feel best --
Dialogue: 0,0:08:28.07,0:08:29.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but maybe --
Dialogue: 0,0:08:29.88,0:08:31.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I bet --
Dialogue: 0,0:08:31.55,0:08:34.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a part of them felt like they had to
Dialogue: 0,0:08:34.84,0:08:39.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in order to reach the level of success\Nthat they have attained today.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:41.62,0:08:46.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There is a natural hair movement\Nthat is sweeping the country
Dialogue: 0,0:08:46.62,0:08:48.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and also in some places in Europe.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:49.63,0:08:54.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Millions of women are exploring what\Nit means to transition to natural hair,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:54.44,0:08:58.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and they're cutting off\Nyears and years of dry, damaged ends
Dialogue: 0,0:08:58.97,0:09:01.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in order to restore\Ntheir natural curl pattern.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:02.42,0:09:06.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I know because I have been an advocate\Nand an ambassador for this movement
Dialogue: 0,0:09:06.80,0:09:08.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for roughly the last three years.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:10.17,0:09:15.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,After 27 years of excessive heat\Nand harsh chemicals,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:15.70,0:09:20.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,my hair was beginning to show\Nextreme signs of wear and tear.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:21.72,0:09:23.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It was breaking off,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:23.21,0:09:24.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it was thinning,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:24.79,0:09:27.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,looking just extremely dry and brittle.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:27.78,0:09:31.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,All those years of chasing\Nthat conventional image of beauty
Dialogue: 0,0:09:31.36,0:09:32.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that we saw earlier
Dialogue: 0,0:09:32.72,0:09:34.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,was finally beginning to take its toll.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:36.15,0:09:38.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I wanted to do something about it,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:38.06,0:09:42.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and so I started what I called\Nthe "No Heat Challenge,"
Dialogue: 0,0:09:42.83,0:09:46.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,where I would refrain\Nfrom using heat styling tools on my hair
Dialogue: 0,0:09:46.42,0:09:48.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for six months.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:48.72,0:09:51.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And like a good millennial,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:52.16,0:09:54.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I documented it on social media.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:54.24,0:09:56.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:09:57.11,0:10:00.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I documented as I reluctantly cut off
Dialogue: 0,0:10:01.53,0:10:04.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,three to four inches of my beloved hair.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:06.06,0:10:10.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I documented as I struggled\Nto master these natural hairstyles,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:11.49,0:10:15.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and also as I struggled to embrace them
Dialogue: 0,0:10:15.70,0:10:19.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and think that they actually looked good.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:19.90,0:10:25.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I documented as my hair texture\Nslowly began to change.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:26.35,0:10:29.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,By sharing this journey openly,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:29.01,0:10:32.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I learned that I was not\Nthe only woman going through this
Dialogue: 0,0:10:32.45,0:10:36.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and that in fact there were thousands\Nand thousands of other women
Dialogue: 0,0:10:36.76,0:10:38.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who were longing to do the same.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:38.89,0:10:41.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So they would reach out to me\Nand they would say,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:41.15,0:10:43.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Cheyenne, how did you do\Nthat natural hairstyle
Dialogue: 0,0:10:43.64,0:10:45.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that I saw you with the other day?
Dialogue: 0,0:10:45.70,0:10:47.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,What new products have you started using
Dialogue: 0,0:10:47.88,0:10:50.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that might be a little better\Nfor my hair texture
Dialogue: 0,0:10:50.20,0:10:52.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as it begins to change?"
Dialogue: 0,0:10:52.16,0:10:55.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Or, "What are some\Nof the natural hair routines
Dialogue: 0,0:10:55.91,0:11:00.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that I should begin to adopt\Nto slowly restore the health of my hair?"
Dialogue: 0,0:11:01.10,0:11:04.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But I also found that there were\Na large number of women
Dialogue: 0,0:11:05.10,0:11:08.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who were extremely hesitant\Nto take that first step
Dialogue: 0,0:11:09.82,0:11:12.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because they were paralyzed by fear.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:13.47,0:11:15.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Fear of the unknown --
Dialogue: 0,0:11:15.28,0:11:17.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,what would they now look like?
Dialogue: 0,0:11:17.64,0:11:21.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,How would they feel about themselves\Nwith these natural hairstyles?
Dialogue: 0,0:11:21.72,0:11:24.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And most importantly to them,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:24.34,0:11:26.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,how would others view them?
Dialogue: 0,0:11:28.21,0:11:30.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Over the last three years
Dialogue: 0,0:11:30.22,0:11:34.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of having numerous conversations\Nwith friends of mine
Dialogue: 0,0:11:34.07,0:11:37.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and also complete strangers\Nfrom around the world,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:37.85,0:11:40.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I learned some really important things
Dialogue: 0,0:11:40.59,0:11:44.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,about how African-American women\Nidentify with their hair.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:45.78,0:11:47.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And so when I think back
Dialogue: 0,0:11:47.72,0:11:50.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to that hiring manager in Mobile, Alabama,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:51.27,0:11:53.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'd say, "Actually, no.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:54.11,0:11:56.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We don't know what you're talking about."
Dialogue: 0,0:11:56.57,0:11:58.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But here are some things that we do know.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:59.61,0:12:04.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We know that when black women\Nembrace their love for their natural hair,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:04.50,0:12:07.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it helps to undo generations of teaching
Dialogue: 0,0:12:07.82,0:12:10.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that black in its natural state\Nis not beautiful,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:11.13,0:12:14.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or something to be hidden or covered up.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:15.53,0:12:19.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We know that black women\Nexpress their individuality
Dialogue: 0,0:12:19.63,0:12:22.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and experience feelings of empowerment
Dialogue: 0,0:12:22.71,0:12:26.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,by experimenting with different\Nhairstyles regularly.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:27.72,0:12:29.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And we also know
Dialogue: 0,0:12:29.59,0:12:34.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that when we're invited\Nto wear our natural hair in the workplace,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:34.12,0:12:37.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it reinforces that we are uniquely valued
Dialogue: 0,0:12:37.58,0:12:41.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and thus helps us to flourish\Nand advance professionally.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:43.36,0:12:45.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I leave you with this.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:45.22,0:12:48.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In a time of racial and social tension,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:49.23,0:12:51.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,embracing this movement
Dialogue: 0,0:12:51.25,0:12:52.100,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and others like this
Dialogue: 0,0:12:52.100,0:12:56.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,help us to rise above\Nthe confines of the status quo.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:57.65,0:13:02.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So when you see a woman with braids\Nor locks draping down her back,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:03.48,0:13:06.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or you notice your colleague
Dialogue: 0,0:13:06.36,0:13:09.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who has stopped\Nstraightening her hair to work,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:10.16,0:13:13.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,do not simply approach her and admire
Dialogue: 0,0:13:13.87,0:13:16.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and ask her if you can touch it --
Dialogue: 0,0:13:16.62,0:13:18.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:13:18.15,0:13:20.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Really appreciate her.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:20.78,0:13:22.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Applaud her.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:22.23,0:13:26.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Heck, even high-five her\Nif that's what you feel so inclined to do.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:26.25,0:13:27.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Because this --
Dialogue: 0,0:13:27.84,0:13:30.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,this is more than about a hairstyle.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:31.63,0:13:34.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's about self-love and self-worth.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:35.46,0:13:37.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's about being brave enough
Dialogue: 0,0:13:37.49,0:13:41.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,not to fold under the pressure\Nof other's expectations.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:42.59,0:13:47.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And about knowing that making\Nthe decision to stray from the norm
Dialogue: 0,0:13:47.09,0:13:49.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,does not define who we are,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:49.63,0:13:52.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but it simply reveals who we are.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:52.78,0:13:54.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And finally,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:54.37,0:13:56.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,being brave is easier
Dialogue: 0,0:13:56.49,0:13:59.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when we can count\Non the compassion of others.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:59.48,0:14:01.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So after today,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:01.15,0:14:04.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I certainly hope that we can count on you.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:05.38,0:14:06.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Thank you.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:06.63,0:14:09.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Applause)