Jesse Jackson, Reggie Jackson, Michael Jackson. Besides being large media icons in the 1970’s, they also were noted for the fashion statement they wore everyday …. the afro.

Some wore it simply as a fashion statement (such as Sly Stone) while others, like Angela Davis, wore it as part of a statement of their political stance on world issues. As a part of the Black consciousness movement, the hairstyle symbolized a shift away from the “conservative” peace movement of the civil rights era to the more aggressive, militant expression of Black power. It also prompted many blacks to stop putting chemicals in their hair to try to “look White,” but instead to embrace the concept that “Black is Beautiful.”