Michelle Obama revealed that Black women have to straighten their locks to ‘follow white people’s beauty standards’ during a furious on-air rant.
The former First Lady, 61, spoke about the topic during a live sit-down with Tracee Ellis Ross to discuss her new book, The Look, earlier this week week.
Michelle’s new project, which came out November 4, documented her style evolution during her time in the White House.
During her chat with Tracee, she explained that Black women are ‘trapped’ by the pressures to keep their hair straight and ‘can’t swim’ or ‘go to the gym’ because of it.
‘Let me explain something to white people. Our hair comes out of our head naturally in a curly pattern,’ Michelle said. ‘When we straighten it to follow your beauty standards, we are trapped by the straightness.
‘That’s why so many of us can’t swim, and we run away from the water. People won’t go to the gym because [they’re] trying to keep [their] hair straight for y’all! It’s exhausting, expensive and takes up so much time,’ she continued.
An exasperated Michelle concluded the heated conversation by telling people to ‘get out of their hair.’
