All eyes were peeled to the stage at the 2024 Democratic National Convention where delegates, senators, statesmen, and fans eagerly awaited Michelle Obama to appear. What would she say? What would she wear? How would she wear her hair? Would it be pressed and curled with a side part and swoop, like her 2021 inauguration look? Or, in a teased coif? Neither. When her husband Barack bid adieu to the White House, in 2017, so did her f*cks to give. Since then, Michelle has rocked her hair in a protective style and Black girl staple, braids.
Gone are the days when the Chicago native would let the gatekeepers of outdated beauty standards in politics dictate her hairstyles. Michelle Obama is the living embodiment of the evolution of natural hair in politics through her braids. Yes. Braids carry that much weight in the political world.
Last night, Michelle O took to the stage at the DNC where she wore a deconstructed suit with criss-cross detail by Monse and her box braids pulled back into a braided ponytail that trailed down her back. It may seem like a simple choice, but it is indeed a bold one.
Her braids are a direct rebellion against the pressure society puts on Black women to straighten their hair to fit European beauty standards. During her cross country The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times book tour, in 2022, Michelle Obama talked about her desire to wear braids in the White House. But she decided otherwise.
Michelle considered wearing her hair in twisted tendrils, it would have been easier to upkeep, for sure. But instead, she thought “nope, they’re not ready for it.”
Ready for what, exactly? To see Black women in all their glory? So instead, the then-FLOTUS kept her hair straight, sacrificing her strands, health, and identity for the sake of pleasing the powers that be.
Lemme just say this… Michelle Obama wearing braids during the DNC is a visual example of the evolution of hair in American politics.#DNC2024 pic.twitter.com/GxBdNnOrt6
— Beatrice Peterson (@MissBeaE on all platforms) (@MissBeaE) August 21, 2024
Fast-forward eight years and two presidencies later, and America is confronted with the very thing they tried to contain — a powerful Black woman running for the highest office in the land. And the force of Michelle Obama behind her.
“Mrs. Obama has been wearing braids for a few years, but this is the first time she has worn them at a major political speech,” hairstylist Njeri Radway, who has worked with Obama since 2010, told Vogue. “The goal for her hairstyle was to showcase a sleek and powerful look—something to mirror her speech. Both powerful and soft.”
Bold Fashion Statement
Her sleeveless navy blue Monse set, a departure from the traditional pantsuit with its subtle traces of military chic, was also symbolic. Black women have always proverbially rolled up their sleeves unafraid to get dirty in the trenches like soldiers cuffing their sleeves in field training. Michelle O’s sartorial blouse and trousers felt like she was ready to go to war for, not only her sister in politics, but for what she believes in – democracy.
The designer Monse was honored to fit the FLOTUS for her highly-anticipated DNC speech. Their homepage shows the DNC look on a model. “Michele Obama embodies the MONSE woman in every way, exuding the strength and confidence that are at the core of our brand. We are honored to dress such an inspiring leader,” the brand captioned an image on Instagram.
Black Hair At The DNC
“Georgia, how do you cast your votes?”
The moment Lil Jon appeared in the DNC audience, his blonde locs swinging as he began a chant, “We’re not going back,” it was clear that this wasn’t your typical DNC. Politics felt and looked different last night. The DNC represented a diverse America, with white allies, various minority groups, and Black people who looked like you and me. Tennessee State Rep. Justin Pearson went viral for his rousing roll call, and lustrous afro.
During his state’s roll call at the DNC, Tennessee State Rep. Justin Pearson just shook the congregation.
So, in the spirit, we added an Ole Baptist organ to this for your viewing pleasure. pic.twitter.com/cP6tGZDvkI
— ESSENCE (@Essence) August 21, 2024
The Crown Act
Movements like the Crown Act, established in California in 2019, is a law that “prohibits race-based hair discrimination, which is the denial of employment and educational opportunities because of hair texture or protective hairstyles including braids, locs, twists or bantu knots.” As of 2024, 25 states have adopted the law into legislation.
When Michelle Obama spoke about her personal experience facing her own issues with hair prejudice, she echoed the sentiment of Black women around the world. A 2023 CROWN Workplace Research study found that, Black women’s hair was two-and-a-half times more likely to be perceived as unprofessional. Black women are 54% more likely to feel like they have to wear their hair straight to a job interview to be successful. There is a tie between Black hair and health. Feeling forced to straighten Black textured hair comes with risks associated with chemicals that have been linked to uterine cancer.
“We estimated that 1.64% of women who never used hair straighteners would go on to develop uterine cancer by the age of 70; but for frequent users, that risk goes up to 4.05%,” said Alexandra White, Ph.D., head of the NIEHS Environment and Cancer Epidemiology group and lead author on the new study. “This doubling rate is concerning. However, it is important to put this information into context – uterine cancer is a relatively rare type of cancer.”
We’ve come a long way with the natural hair movement, but have leagues to go.
“Black women should not have to choose between elevating dominant standards of beauty in order to stay employed and risking their lives to do so,” Nsenga Burton, a cultural critic, told CNN. “It’s more than a catch-22 – it’s madness and discrimination.”
With powerful people like Michelle Obama putting braids and other Black girl-friendly styles on the world’s mainstage, she’s fighting inherent discrimination Black women face on a day-to-day basis in corporate America. She may not be in the White House, but her simply showing up as her authentic self helps shatter stereotypes associated with Black hair and perhaps, saves lives.
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