Most of us are still experiencing the feels from the debut of Nappily Ever After on Netflix this past weekend — except maybe for this part. But regardless of whatever messages may have been implied about Black women and our dating choices in the movie, what wasn’t left up to interpretation was the statement that we don’t need hair (or a certain type of hair) to be beautiful.
Netflix is still pushing that narrative forward this week, sharing a photo series of Nappily star Sanaa Lathan showing off her natural ‘fro which she adopted after shaving her head for the film adaptation of Trisha R. Thomas’ 2001 book. The images, which have been shared on the videos streaming site’s Strong Black Lead Instagram page, are also accompanied by quotes from the actress declaring the beauty of her hair in its kinky-curly state. Check them out below.
Netflix / Joshua Woods
“We have been told and taught from the time we were little girls, that being brown isn’t the prettiest. That kinky hair or textured hair isn’t attractive, but I want you to know that is a LIE.”
Netflix / Joshua Woods
“Nappily Ever After is my love letter to all the little Black girls out there.”
Netflix / Joshua Woods
“Beauty comes in every shape, size, color, and hair texture. Start finding the beauty within yourself and start talking to yourself with love.”
A few days back, Sanaa shared a throwback photo of her with afro puffs as a little girl, showing she’s not totally new to the natural game.
And from the looks of her Instagram page, she’s been having a ball experimenting with her new short ‘do and rocking her curls in various styles. This whole movement is definitely a good look for Sanaa and for Black women everywhere.
