The Roots of My Hair
A woman recounts the complicated history of her hair in Lou Lubie’s fascinating graphic novel The Roots of My Hair.
On Reunion Island, near Madagascar, Rose lives among people from a number of ethnic backgrounds. Still, she never feels like she fits in because of her light skin and kinky Black hair. As Rose gets older, she endures painful, expensive treatments to emulate the dominant styles. After years of suffering, she reclaims her natural hair; in doing so, she achieves a sense of peace.
Rose’s story is fused with research on hair. For instance, in a memorable scene, Rose’s employer says that her hair “looks unprofessional”; it’s a devastating blow to her self-confidence. Alongside this, the book forwards arguments regarding the unfairness of the mental, physical, and financial costs demanded of women with coily hair.
Within the exemplary illustrations, Rose is seen at a variety of ages, with the crucial differences in her hair textures and styles made apparent. Clear, interesting infographics about hair and history appear too, including a step-by-step review of the process of hair growth and examples of powerful Black women who use hair relaxers to fit cultural ideals. Such historical context is both enlightening and disturbing: A striking visual array of popular styles during the twentieth century is used to illustrate that Black women have often faced prejudice for keeping their hair natural.
The Roots of My Hair is an engrossing graphic novel about the history and marginalization of Black women’s hairstyles.
Reviewed by
Peter Dabbene
Disclosure: This article is not an endorsement, but a review. The publisher of this book provided free copies of the book to have their book reviewed by a professional reviewer. No fee was paid by the publisher for this review. Foreword Reviews only recommends books that we love. Foreword Magazine, Inc. is disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
