From Locks to Love: ‘Hair Love’ From Book to Screen in ‘Young Love’

<p><em>This article is a continuation of our previous piece on &ldquo;Hair Love&rdquo; and its impact on black representation in illustration and animation. If you haven&rsquo;t read it yet, we encourage you to catch up on that&nbsp;</em><a href="https://alexlouther.medium.com/example-title-goes-here-25b5bf464695" rel="noopener"><em>article</em></a><em>&nbsp;for a deeper dive into the origins of this inspiring journey.</em></p> <p><strong>In recent years,</strong>&nbsp;<strong>the world</strong>&nbsp;has seen a heartening surge in creative works aimed at promoting positive black representation. It all began with the Academy Award-winning short film and best-selling children&rsquo;s book, &ldquo;Hair Love,&rdquo; which emerged as a beacon of hope for children and parents alike, encouraging them to take pride in their beautiful, natural black hair.</p> <p>&ldquo;Hair Love,&rdquo; created by former professional football player Matthew A. Cherry, set out on a mission to combat the racist stereotypes and negative imagery that have long oppressed people of color with textured hair. The story revolves around Zuri, a young protagonist who, with the help of her father and hairstyle vloggers, discovers love and pride for her unique hair.</p> <p>Both the film and book versions of &ldquo;Hair Love&rdquo; breathe fresh air into the world of black representation. Zuri narrates her experiences with youthful exuberance, emphasizing the special qualities of black hair, even likening it to performing &lsquo;magic tricks&rsquo; when it quickly shrinks under the rain. The story also beautifully portrays positive imagery of black fatherhood, underlining the father&rsquo;s unwavering love for his daughter and his determination in helping her manage her hair.</p> <p><a href="https://medium.com/@loutherviz/continuing-the-journey-hair-love-from-book-to-screen-in-young-love-86cfb5c56e7"><strong>Learn More</strong></a></p>
Tags: Young Love