The controversy between Giuliana Rancic and Zendaya can be seen as an opportunity to discuss the image of Black women in the media and natural hair. On E! Entertainment’s Fashion Police, host Giuliana Rancic  stated that the faux locs worn by actress Zendaya at the 2015 Oscars probably smelled of patchouli oil or weed. Although Rancic apologized to Zendaya after receiving backlash on social media, I cannot see how her comments were simply a joke critiquing the “bohemian chic” style.

While I do not think that Rancic is a racist for her criticism of Zendaya’s hair, her remarks evoke unfavorable depictions of Black women in regards to our different hair textures and natural hair styles. Zendaya’s classy reply to Rancic’s comments addressed this stereotype and described what many Black women who have gone natural or are experimenting with it are realizing about our hair.

I can relate to Zendaya’s words because I stopped getting my hair permed (chemically straightened) five years ago and started straightening it with the use of blow dryers and flat irons. The following year I had to cut my hair and go completely natural (leaving it in its natural curly texture) after realizing that applying constant heat to my hair was damaging it. This was a difficult transition and before these styling changes, I haven’t seen my natural curls since my mom took me to the hair salon in my teens and had my hair permed (customary in the Black community).

Being natural made me learn to love and accept my hair’s natural texture and new length despite how many people made irritating comments or complained how much they missed seeing me with long straight hair (that grew out of my scalp….myth that Black women do not grow long hair). Wearing my hair naturally, although I am proud of this decision, has been a huge adjustment for me. Most women who have done the same can affirm to this and this is why ridiculing comments like Rancic’s are offensive.

For most women, our hair is part of our beauty and femininity, which also translates to our self-confidence. In the Black community this is especially true; women will do anything to care for or style our hair.  Also in the Black and Afro-Latino community our beauty is still centered on the Eurocentric notion of beauty. There’s nothing wrong with this ideal; it just should not apply to every woman in the world no matter her ethnicity. It is common in the Black and Afro-Latino community to be praised for having a lighter complexion or long straight hair.  Our natural hair texture is often described as “bad hair” i.e. “nappy,” “tête grene” (Haitian Creole), or “pelo malo” (Spanish). These words are nonsensical and demeaning.

That’s why seeing Black and Afro-Latina women with their natural hair texture should be viewed as an empowering movement.  Some women have always worn their hair naturally. While some women are going natural because years of perming, weaving, or etc. have taken their toll and leaving their hair naturally is the only choice to get their hair back to healthy. Others just want to join the natural “trend.”

No matter what the reason, this should be appreciated by women everywhere. I’m not slighting women with naturally straight hair or women who wear perms and weaves or those who hot comb, blow dry, or flat iron their hair straight. It’s just refreshing to see Black women and Afro-Latinas breaking out of society’s norms and being who we want or were designed to be.

By wearing our hair in natural styles, Black and Afro-Latina women are reclaiming some of dignity that was taken from our heritage since the beginning of our ancestors’ enslavement. We are seeing the beauty in our natural essence and sharing this revelation to the world and to future generations. It may seem heavy and uncomfortable for some people to digest this history, but understanding these issues and recognizing these stereotypes is important in order for the Black community and our society as whole to heal from the influences of slavery and racism that still exist.

Zendaya went against social and fashion norms by wearing faux locs to the Oscars; she looked unique and beautiful. Black women are told from day one that our natural hair texture and styles aren’t presentable, professional, or manageable. It’s time to start changing these rules. If we do choose to wear our natural hair in our daily routines or to social functions, it should not be seen as a fashion faux pas. I applaud actresses Zendaya, Viola Davis, Lupita Nyong’o, and Whoopi Goldberg who have all been trendsetters for wearing natural hair styles to red carpet events.

Hair is hair and as long as it is healthy and clean no one should care and no one should judge others by the texture of their strands.