Don't Touch My Hair

Emma Dabiri writes a sharp and compelling book that uses hair to explore racism, colonialism and black history. The book starts a little clunky - the first two chapters jump suddenly from one topic to the next and are a little long - but from the third chapter it is relentless. Dabiri's deep study incorporates history, culture and mathematics, all managing to keep a link to the central point - hair. She highlights repeatedly how racism and hair are entangled, and offers perspectives on how this can be challenged and (hopefully) overcome.



The research is far-reaching, and is accompanied by moments of self-reflection. The writing is smooth and enjoyable once it hits rhythm, despite the often sad or upsetting subject matter. And in the end the book serves as a reminder that the master's house is still standing and might need some re-evaluation, if we were in any doubt.