Michelle Obama Unveils the Story Behind Her Choice to Not Wear Braids in the White House
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Former First Lady, Michelle Obama, once again captivates the public with her upcoming coffee table book, ‘The Look,’ set to be released on November 4th. In an exclusive with PEOPLE, Obama reveals the reasons behind her decision to forgo braided hairstyles during her years residing in the White House and the sense of liberation she experiences now by embracing natural hair and protective styles.
Reflecting on her style evolution and the significance of her hair choices, Obama, now 61, shares candidly about the newfound agency she feels in making decisions solely for herself. Nearly a decade since her husband, Barack Obama, left the presidency, she embraces the opportunity to experiment with fashion and reconnect with the natural, protective hairstyles that have held a special place in her heart since childhood.
Describing braids as her preferred hairstyle, Obama emphasises the practicality and freedom they offer her. She explains, “Braids allow me to get them done, and then that’s one less thing that I have to think about. When I’m out of the public eye, I am swimming, I am playing tennis, and braids represent that kind of freedom for me.”
Growing up on Chicago’s South Side, Obama relates that this sense of freedom resonates with her since childhood, where braids enabled her to engage in various activities without worrying about her appearance. Sharing photos of her natural hair journey in ‘The Look,’ she highlights how braids provided her with the flexibility to pursue active hobbies without constraints.
During her White House tenure, however, Obama felt hesitant about sporting braids, concerned about the public reception and potential distractions it might cause. With the absence of protective legislation like The Crown Act at that time, she opted for more conventional hairstyles to avoid unnecessary controversy.
In a poignant moment following their White House exit, Obama decided it was time to convey a powerful message through her hair choices. At the unveiling of her portrait in September 2022, she intentionally donned braids to symbolise and contribute to the narrative of Black women in positions of influence, asserting that such hairstyles are both appropriate and beautiful.
Acknowledging the vital role that her hairstylists, Yene Damtew and Njeri Radway, play in her journey, Obama expresses gratitude for their support in embracing her natural hair and challenging societal norms. Damtew underscores the profound significance of hair for Black women, emphasising how it embodies their identity, emotions, and self-love in ways that words cannot fully encapsulate.
Radway, who has been braiding Obama’s hair for years, echoes the sentiment of freedom and empowerment that braids symbolise for both of them. She considers each braiding session as a collaborative celebration of embracing authenticity and defying restrictive beauty standards. Obama champions the diversity and self-expression inherent in women of colour’s natural hair, advocating for the autonomy to choose their hairstyles without judgement.
As Michelle Obama continues to inspire with her authenticity and advocacy for self-acceptance, her story serves as a beacon of empowerment for women worldwide. In a society that often imposes rigid beauty standards, her journey of reclaiming her narrative through her hair choices resonates as a powerful statement of liberation and self-affirmation.