If you’re looking for a dose of weekend inspiration, Ava DuVernay’s heartfelt message about the power and strength of Black hair will give you all the feels.
Aside from her powerful work in film and television, the award-winning filmmaker is also known for her chestnut locs and today (June 9), she reflected on how she came to love them so much.
“I always loved locs. Since I was a little girl when I would see a lady in my neighborhood with them. I thought they were magic. No one in my family wore their hair in this style,” she wrote under this photo, taken from The Hollywood Reporter.
“I grew up going to the beauty salon with my Mom or getting my hair pressed in the kitchen by my Gramma. I’ve had every style. Short bobs. Long weaves. Braids of all kinds. But when I saw this picture in @hollywoodreporter this morning, I smiled at the crown that now adorns my head. And hope some little girl somewhere comes across this image and sees magic too. #onward“
Ava’s sentiment is timely, as Black women are still striving to have their textured hair accepted in school and the workplace.
In September 2016, a federal appeals court ruled that employers can ban locs in the workplace and since then, several young students have spoken out about the scrutiny they’ve faced for wearing protective styles in the classroom.
Ava’s determination to use her hair as not only a form of self expression is just one of the many reasons she continues to be the perfect inspiration for Black women across the world.