Cutting My Hair Was My First Revolutionary Act

Michaela angela Davis's evocative narrative, featured in The Atlantic, captures a pivotal moment of personal and cultural transformation as she recounts her journey to embracing her Black identity through her hair. At 13, Davis decides to replace her pigtails with an afro, symbolizing her transition from girlhood to a self-defined Black womanhood. Her story unfolds against the backdrop of Soul Scissors, the first national Black hair salon chain founded by Art Dyson, where she experiences a sense of belonging and liberation. This piece offers a profound reflection on identity, beauty, and resistance, inviting readers to explore the full journey in Davis’s forthcoming book, "Tender. Headed: An Autobiography of My Youth."