Harris’s writing style immediately drew me in, making me wonder, ‘Where is this woman going? What is making her scalp itch? What – or who – is she running from?’ But without providing any answers the story jumps ahead 35 years, to introduce the only non-white editorial assistant at Wagner Books: Nella – a reference to Afro-American author Nella Larsen.Įmployed at Wagner for two years and in desperate need of a promotion, Nella comes across as plain-looking, hardworking, and is described as walking on eggshells to sidestep racial issues. ![]() ![]() The novel kicks off with a thrill-inducing runaway scene of a woman fleeing Manhattan who cannot stop scratching her scalp. A woman’s hairdo encapsulates her personality and is an extension of her being. This is especially the case when it comes to black women, whose hair is often an expression of their heritage, culture, and a source of black pride. Therefore, it might not be surprising that black hair and its care regimen are major themes in Zakiya Dalila Harris’s debut novel The Other Black Girl. ![]() “Don’t touch my hair – don’t touch my crown,” was singer-songwriter Solange’s request in 2016, and she was right to state her boundaries.
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