--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My hair was curly, and everyone else's…" description: "\"My hair was curly, and everyone else's was straight or in micro braids. I didn't have a lot of money, so I shopped at thrift stores. And I'm petite - I..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f9b/ashleigh-murray-15933_black-women_my-hair-was-curly-and-everyone-else-s-wa_961142.jpg" --- # My hair was curly, and everyone else's was straight or in… ![“My hair was curly, and everyone else's was straight or in micro braids. I didn't have a lot of money, so I shopped at thrift stores. And I'm petite - I never looked shapely. I remember thinking, 'Will I ever have that stereotypical round, full butt that people think most black women have? I had to…” quote by Ashleigh Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f9b/ashleigh-murray-15933_black-women_my-hair-was-curly-and-everyone-else-s-wa_961142.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f9b/ashleigh-murray-15933_black-women_my-hair-was-curly-and-everyone-else-s-wa_961142.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f9b/ashleigh-murray-15933_black-women_my-hair-was-curly-and-everyone-else-s-wa_961142.jpg) > “My hair was curly, and everyone else's was straight or in micro braids. I didn't have a lot of money, so I shopped at thrift stores. And I'm petite - I never looked shapely. I remember thinking, 'Will I ever have that stereotypical round, full butt that people think most black women have? I had to find another way to feel good about myself.” [Ashleigh Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashleigh-murray/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker feels insecure about her body and cultural expectations, seeking self‑acceptance despite limited resources. **In simple terms:** Insecurity about body image and cultural standards. Key Takeaway Cultivate self‑worth beyond stereotypes. Themes body image culture self‑acceptance economic constraints Mood reflective hopeful Type personal motivational When to use this quote - shopping thrift stores - social media - personal reflection - body positivity - community support Key Concepts identity media influence beauty standards Questions to Reflect On - How can you redefine beauty for yourself? - What practices help you value yourself beyond appearance? A Different Perspective Self‑acceptance is challenged by pervasive stereotypes and limited representation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Black women](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/black-women/) [Money](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/money/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Women](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/women/) ## Related quotes > [“I like the way you've let your hair go curly," he finally said. "Suits your personality. Lots of energy, not much control, sexy as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-evanovich/i-like-the-way-you-ve-let-your-hair-go-curly-he-finally-said-suits/) [Janet Evanovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-evanovich/) > [When my hair is curly, I use Suave coconut conditioner. It's not a leave-in, but I use it like one. It is so light…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrienne-bailon/when-my-hair-is-curly-i-use-suave-coconut-conditioner-it-s-not-a/) [Adrienne Bailon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrienne-bailon/) > [“It is commonplace observation that women are forever trying to straighten their hair if it is curly and curl it if it is straight,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/germaine-greer/it-is-commonplace-observation-that-women-are-forever-trying-to/) [Germaine Greer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/germaine-greer/) > [I only used to feel confident wearing my hair curly. I used to wear really long hair extensions too so it was a mammoth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zara-mcdermott/i-only-used-to-feel-confident-wearing-my-hair-curly-i-used-to-wear/) [Zara McDermott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zara-mcdermott/) > [That’s why I sleep alone. My hair is curly, and that’s why I have my ponytail. I look like a madman, like something out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-lagerfeld/that-s-why-i-sleep-alone-my-hair-is-curly-and-that-s-why-i-have-my/) [Karl Lagerfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-lagerfeld/) > [I was somebody who never loved my hair. I had curly hair and wished it was straight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-aniston/i-was-somebody-who-never-loved-my-hair-i-had-curly-hair-and-wished-it/) [Jennifer Aniston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-aniston/) > [Because my hair is curly, I used to do all the straighteners, the Japanese this and the Brazilian that. And at the end of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camila-alves/because-my-hair-is-curly-i-used-to-do-all-the-straighteners-the/) [Camila Alves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/camila-alves/) > [It's taken me 40-something years, but I embrace the curl. My littlest daughter has the same hair. She likes it when my hair is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-kidman/it-s-taken-me-40-something-years-but-i-embrace-the-curl-my-littlest/) [Nicole Kidman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-kidman/) > [I love wearing my hair curly, but turning the curling iron all the way up creates curls that look really made up and artificial.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camila-alves/i-love-wearing-my-hair-curly-but-turning-the-curling-iron-all-the-way/) [Camila Alves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/camila-alves/) > [ \[Lily\] "Petunia's hair is too curly to braid," She said conversationally. Oliver wasn't sure why, but that was what finally made him blush. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-day-george/lily-petunia-s-hair-is-too-curly-to-braid-she-said-conversationally/) [Jessica Day George](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-day-george/) > [I've never felt like there's just one way to be beautiful. Tall or short, straight hair or curly, it doesn't matter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-swift/i-ve-never-felt-like-there-s-just-one-way-to-be-beautiful-tall-or/) [Taylor Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-swift/) > [Taylor Swift's hair is curly. I have curly hair. OK. So where are all MY boyfriends?!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/taylor-swift-s-hair-is-curly-i-have-curly-hair-ok-so-where-are-all-my/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I keep my hair curly and natural because I really just wanna show who I am.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alessia-cara/i-keep-my-hair-curly-and-natural-because-i-really-just-wanna-show-who/) [Alessia Cara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alessia-cara/) > [I know how hard it is to be a woman, especially a black woman.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-tyson/i-know-how-hard-it-is-to-be-a-woman-especially-a-black-woman/) [Mike Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-tyson/) > [How can you be more subject; black woman in a white man's world?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-duffy/how-can-you-be-more-subject-black-woman-in-a-white-man-s-world/) [Maureen Duffy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-duffy/) ## More by Ashleigh Murray > [Sometimes people can be wary of standing up... but I don't have a problem doing that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashleigh-murray/sometimes-people-can-be-wary-of-standing-up-but-i-don-t-have-a/) [Ashleigh Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashleigh-murray/) > [It doesn't matter what background you come from; it doesn't matter what your circumstances are - you can survive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashleigh-murray/it-doesn-t-matter-what-background-you-come-from-it-doesn-t-matter/) [Ashleigh Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashleigh-murray/) > [My longest relationship with my first boyfriend was eight and a half years. We broke up a handful of times over those years, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashleigh-murray/my-longest-relationship-with-my-first-boyfriend-was-eight-and-a-half/) [Ashleigh Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashleigh-murray/) > [My mother is gay. She was married to my dad up until I was 9. She was just like, 'I'm tired of this. I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashleigh-murray/my-mother-is-gay-she-was-married-to-my-dad-up-until-i-was-9-she-was/) [Ashleigh Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashleigh-murray/) > [We are not all the same. If you care that much, if you're that invested in us as artists and the changes that we're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashleigh-murray/we-are-not-all-the-same-if-you-care-that-much-if-you-re-that-invested/) [Ashleigh Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashleigh-murray/) > [Whatever it is that you want to achieve, you absolutely can do it - you just have to apply yourself. Don't break the law...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashleigh-murray/whatever-it-is-that-you-want-to-achieve-you-absolutely-can-do-it-you/) [Ashleigh Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashleigh-murray/) > [I've never had the passion of wanting to be the next Monica or Beyonce or anything like that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashleigh-murray/i-ve-never-had-the-passion-of-wanting-to-be-the-next-monica-or/) [Ashleigh Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashleigh-murray/) > [I didn't really feel like I knew who I was until I was 24.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashleigh-murray/i-didn-t-really-feel-like-i-knew-who-i-was-until-i-was-24/) [Ashleigh Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashleigh-murray/) > [I did musicals. It's funny, because I can hide behind a character and a voice, but when I have to bring myself and my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashleigh-murray/i-did-musicals-it-s-funny-because-i-can-hide-behind-a-character-and-a/) [Ashleigh Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashleigh-murray/) > [I would be remiss not to take advantage of this platform that I have, because I don't want any other woman or girl feeling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashleigh-murray/i-would-be-remiss-not-to-take-advantage-of-this-platform-that-i-have/) [Ashleigh Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashleigh-murray/) > [I hope I give a good performance; I hope it's enjoyable. If I'm a villain and you hate me, that means I'm doing my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashleigh-murray/i-hope-i-give-a-good-performance-i-hope-it-s-enjoyable-if-i-m-a/) [Ashleigh Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashleigh-murray/) > [I love going to karaoke with friends if I'm having a really tough time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashleigh-murray/i-love-going-to-karaoke-with-friends-if-i-m-having-a-really-tough-time/) [Ashleigh Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashleigh-murray/) > [I was just this little theater geek. I joined the drama program my freshman year. I read the morning announcements my sophomore year. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashleigh-murray/i-was-just-this-little-theater-geek-i-joined-the-drama-program-my/) [Ashleigh Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashleigh-murray/) > [Usually, when people are asked, 'Would you ever do high school again?' a good 99 percent of them say, 'Oh God, no. I would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashleigh-murray/usually-when-people-are-asked-would-you-ever-do-high-school-again-a/) [Ashleigh Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashleigh-murray/) > [I'm not moving to L.A.! That's not happening unless I have to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashleigh-murray/i-m-not-moving-to-l-a-that-s-not-happening-unless-i-have-to/) [Ashleigh Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashleigh-murray/) [Explore all 41 Ashleigh Murray quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashleigh-murray/) ## More Black women quotes > [How can you be more subject; black woman in a white man's world?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-duffy/how-can-you-be-more-subject-black-woman-in-a-white-man-s-world/) [Maureen Duffy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-duffy/) > [I know how hard it is to be a woman, especially a black woman.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-tyson/i-know-how-hard-it-is-to-be-a-woman-especially-a-black-woman/) [Mike Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-tyson/) > [Black women's intersectional experiences of racism and sexism have been a central but forgotten dynamic in the unfolding of feminist and antiracist agendas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimberle-williams-crenshaw/black-women-s-intersectional-experiences-of-racism-and-sexism-have/) [Kimberle Williams Crenshaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kimberle-williams-crenshaw/) > [“As a Black Woman, I define self-care as the ability to safely and comfortably exhale.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bethanee-epifani-j-bryant/as-a-black-woman-i-define-self-care-as-the-ability-to-safely-and/) [Bethanee Epifani J. Bryant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bethanee-epifani-j-bryant/) > [When black women are down with you and in your corner, you have an ally that will move Heaven and Earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tyler-perry/when-black-women-are-down-with-you-and-in-your-corner-you-have-an/) [Tyler Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tyler-perry/) > [ It wasn't \[Barack\] Obama per se; it was the feeling on the ground; it was seeing an old black woman in a wheelchair being… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-ayers/it-wasn-t-barack-obama-per-se-it-was-the-feeling-on-the-ground-it-was/) [Bill Ayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-ayers/) > [I talk about a lot is how black women are so often referred to as feisty or sassy or aggressive or difficult just for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vick-hope/i-talk-about-a-lot-is-how-black-women-are-so-often-referred-to-as/) [Vick Hope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vick-hope/) > [“I feel enormously blessed to be a successful black woman writer in this culture, but I have found my small fame, such as it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/i-feel-enormously-blessed-to-be-a-successful-black-woman-writer-in/) [Bell Hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) > [It's always hard for me to find a therapist who is a black woman or even a woman of color. It's something that we've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morgan-parker/it-s-always-hard-for-me-to-find-a-therapist-who-is-a-black-woman-or/) [Morgan Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morgan-parker/) > [“She’s an original! She doesn’t need to compete, copy, or envy other women. The confidence that’s within her won’t allow her to stoop that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-lahart/she-s-an-original-she-doesn-t-need-to-compete-copy-or-envy-other/) [Stephanie Lahart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-lahart/) > [It is a dangerous time to be a black woman in America. It’s a time when we are not safe in the streets or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pearl-cleage/it-is-a-dangerous-time-to-be-a-black-woman-in-america-it-s-a-time/) [Pearl Cleage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pearl-cleage/) > [Black women don't have the same body image problems as white women. They are proud of their bodies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tyra-banks/black-women-don-t-have-the-same-body-image-problems-as-white-women/) [Tyra Banks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tyra-banks/) > [As long as black women yell about being independent, they will never get married. Marriage and independent is like oil and water.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-long-as-black-women-yell-about-being-independent-they-will-never/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [There are enough negative images of Black women out there and I did not want to portray Dorothy Vaughn in any stereotype. I wanted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/octavia-spencer/there-are-enough-negative-images-of-black-women-out-there-and-i-did/) [Octavia Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/octavia-spencer/) > [I write because I am a Black woman, listening attentively to her people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/i-write-because-i-am-a-black-woman-listening-attentively-to-her-people/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) [Browse all 676 Black women quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/black-women/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "My hair was curly, and everyone else's was straight or in micro braids. I didn't have a lot of money, so I shopped at thrift stores. And I'm petite - I never looked shapely. I remember thinking, 'Will I ever have that stereotypical round, full butt that people think most black women have? I had to find another way to feel good about myself.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ashleigh Murray" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashleigh-murray/my-hair-was-curly-and-everyone-else-s-was-straight-or-in-micro-braids/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Black women" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashleigh-murray/my-hair-was-curly-and-everyone-else-s-was-straight-or-in-micro-braids/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f9b/ashleigh-murray-15933_black-women_my-hair-was-curly-and-everyone-else-s-wa_961142.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f9b/ashleigh-murray-15933_black-women_my-hair-was-curly-and-everyone-else-s-wa_961142.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f9b/ashleigh-murray-15933_black-women_my-hair-was-curly-and-everyone-else-s-wa_961142.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“My hair was curly, and everyone else's was straight or in micro braids. I didn't have a lot of money, so I…” — Ashleigh Murray", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Ashleigh Murray", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashleigh-murray/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "My hair was curly, and everyone...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashleigh-murray/my-hair-was-curly-and-everyone-else-s-was-straight-or-in-micro-braids/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashleigh-murray/my-hair-was-curly-and-everyone-else-s-was-straight-or-in-micro-braids/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```