The more we open our eyes to other culture, we might have a chance of world peace. It was released by Saint Records and Columbia Records on September 30, 2016 with its music video being released the following week. In fact, it uses hair as a conduit to discuss SO much more (capitalism, art and aestheticism, mathematics) and is quite simply one of the best books I've ever read. I tend to find that the best non-fiction is personal, because that's what makes it unique. I was taught by society to think my natural hair was gross and messy, something to be ashamed of. It's not often we hear from the Black Irish perspective, and Emma Dabiri gave us insight into that experience, along with so much more. An entertaining picture book that teaches the importance of asking for permission first as a young girl attempts to escape the curious hands that want to touch her hair. ******I was granted an ARC of this via Netgalley from the publisher. I also definitely wasn't expecting such a thorough dismantling of the capitalist, globalist, exploitative society we live in. 0241308348 I expected to love this book, but I didn't anticipate just how much in-depth insight into the spirituality, customs, and politics around black hair I would gain. I never thought there was anything wrong with it at all, but it still took me years to get back to the same self acceptance that I was born with.An absolute education, a must read. The things that chimed with me in this book I remember as moments that filtered down to me as a child because of other people and their own biases. Thanks to Penguin Books UK and NetGalley for the Advance Review Copy in exchange for an honest review. This is a book I will be returningI was completely blown away by this book.
Highly recommended and I am just so glad I read it. However, this book looks at how society has viewed black hair as lesser and unclean compared to white hair. Dabiri starts off by talking about her own life, but, although she often writes in first person, her own experiences are not the driving force of the book. ***This book was very eye opening and taught me a lot about the history of black hair. She lays down the facts surrounding Black women's hair, structural racism, and history that's all too often glossed over, but it never feels dry.I really enjoyed this book... for a while. "Don't Touch My Hair" is the ninth track on American singer and songwriter Solange Knowles' third studio album, A Seat at the Table. THIS. Incredibly interesting and important read. Welcome back. There’s nothing like picking up a debut novel and feeling like you’ve found your new favorite author. The things that chimed with me in this book I remember as moments that filtered down to me as a child because of other people and their own biases. Dabiri starts off by talking about her own life, but, although she often writes in first person, her own experiences are not the driving force of the book. I love the way Dabiri compares the hair of black women and the racism they have suffered. In Don’t Touch My Hair, Emma Dabiri, an Irish-Nigeraian television presenter and teaching fellow at SOAS University, takes readers on a journey exploring the history of black hair from pre-colonial Africa to today’s Natural Hair Movement.In Don’t Touch My Hair, Emma Dabiri, an Irish-Nigeraian television presenter and teaching fellow at SOAS University, takes readers on a journey exploring the history of black hair from pre-colonial Africa to today’s Natural Hair Movement. It’s an exploration of black women’s (mainly) hair and for me it was jaw-dropping and eye-opening (to mix metaphors) at the same time. A black feminist text that speaks on English, Irish, African, and American histories, race, and why hair isn't "just hair". A fascinating and powerful read, Don't Touch My Hair looks at the history, culture, and politics which surround Black hair, and the ways in which white people have stigmatised (and continue to stigmatise) Afro-textured hair.