In examining the portrayal of black women in the media, it is not uncommon for those who appear to have lighter skin as well as straightened hair to be perceived as "the norm" and what is desirable. Straightening one's hair goes back to the time after slavery when black women were inundated with the message that straight hair was more socially acceptable. The practice of hair straightening is still common among black women today. How are these women responding to majority domination in this example?

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The practice of straightening hair to conform to societal expectations of beauty and acceptability can be seen as a form of passing, which involves attempting to blend in with a dominant group by adopting their cultural norms and practices. In this case, black women with lighter skin and straightened hair may be seen as more socially acceptable, and those who conform to these standards may be perceived as "passing" as closer to the dominant group.

In Examining the Portrayal of Black Women in the Media