A few years ago, a Dominican relative read an essay I wrote about embracing my curly hair, and she told me it had never occurred to her that hair straightening was about proximity to whiteness. My white editor for that piece also had difficulty with that idea and asked me, "But what is it about straight hair, besides proximity to whiteness, that made it so desirable to your family?" And I had to say, "No, that's it. It's just that."
Elizabeth Acevedo, a National Book Award recipient and the first writer of color to win the UK's Carnegie Medal, understands the racial implications of hair type. Her visual poem Inheritance, a picture book with illustrations by Andrea Pippins, examines the complexities of Black hair from the perspective of a first-generation Latin American. As a fellow Dominican writer, I've been a longtime admirer of Acevedo's. She spoke with me about self-love, her own hair journey, and learning to listen to your inner voice.
NAIMA COSTER: Tell me about your earliest hair memory.
This story is from the October 2022 edition of ELLE US.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October 2022 edition of ELLE US.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Mikey MADISON
With her breakout role as a sex worker, the Anora stay learned much more than how to dance.
What a Trip DREWSTARKEY
Along with his capital-Pperformance as bad guy Rafe in Outer Banks, Drew Starkey has scored his big movie break. He tells us about his buzzy role in Queer, based on the William S. Burroughs novel.
Demi MOORE
The Substance star has reached a State of enlightenment.
Cynthia ERIVO
For the Nicked star, every character is achance to know herself more deeply.
Karla Sofia GASCON Selena GOMEZ.&Zoe SALDANA
Three very different actresses found sisterhood and career-transforming rolesin Emilia Pérez.
Saoirse RONAN
The Irish actress became an unlikely American everygirl. But at 30, she's ready to paint with a darker palette.
Danielle DEADWYLER
The Piano Lesson star is highlighting Black history through her film roles.
Julianne MOORE & Tilda SWINTON
For these two Oscar winners, a long-hoped-for collaboration in The Room Next Door feels meant to be.
IN THE LAND OF WOMEN
With The Room Next Door, Pedro Almodóvar tackles a new language, but his ability to translate the experience of women remains rock solid.
In the Public Eye
When Shiori Ito's sexual assault investigation was dropped. she de the camera on herself to find justice.
