The Death of the Comb

Since the very moment of their capture as slaves on their home continent, and throughout the hundreds of years they spent in chains, Africans were rarely allowed to care for their hair. Slaves were hardly given the opportunity to groom themselves, and take care of their bodies--a basic human right. This was particularly problematic for field slaves, whom were exposed to the elements much more so than house-slaves. House slaves received better treatment, and easier living conditions than field slaves (although still nearly unbearable). Female house slaves often wore scarves around their hair, as they never wanted to "burden" their master's with the image of their "unsightly" hair. 

The image of a house slave in Alabama in the early 1800's.

The appearance of one's matted and tangled hair became a source of shame and self-disgust for the African American. The manifestation of this shame, and the way it would morph into a source of pride will be shared shortly.