Michelle Obama, the former First Lady, has a unique take on Black hair, particularly braids. During this conversation, she addressed a question that often comes up among white people: “What do braids mean?”
With her characteristic wit, Michelle addressed the confusion many people show when asking this question, saying, “Look y’all… that’s how white folks are. Like, what does that mean? What are you saying?”
Then she delivered a straightforward and relatable response that resonated with many. “We are saying nothing except that I just don’t wanna have to do my hair every day, and I wanna go swimming.”
But she continued to elaborate on the significance of natural hair texture in a way that many Black women can relate to, stating, “Our hair comes out of our head naturally in a curly pattern. So when we’re straightening it to follow your beauty standards, we are trapped by the straighteners. That’s why so many of us can’t swim.”
Michelle even added humor by noting that many Black women often skip the gym just to keep their silk press intact for the week. An observation that had the audience nodding in agreement.
For eight years, people had grown accustomed to Michelle Obama’s stylish, blow-dried hair, always polished and aligned with the traditional First Lady image. She mentioned that she didn’t want her hair to divert attention from her work, revealing the immense pressure Black women encounter in professional settings.
However, once she returned to her private life, she embraced braids, stating, “Braids allow me to get them done, and that’s one less thing I have to think about. When I’m out of the public eye, I am swimming, I am playing tennis, and braids represent that kind of freedom for me.” And she has proudly showcased them in public, from a chic half-up braided style at the 2025 Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival to a sleek, long braid during her campaign efforts for Kamala Harris.
