Don't Touch My Crown!
Self-Love and Boundries in "Rapunzella"
Do you feel pressure to conform to beauty norms that don't reflect your true self?
Can rejecting unrealistic beauty standards empower all of us to embrace our true identity, free from external validation?
In a world where Eurocentric ideals have shaped beauty standards, many have long struggled with how their hair is perceived. The novel Rapunzella, Or Don’t Touch My Hair by Ella McLeod brings a refreshing perspective, using the reimagined fairytale of Rapunzel to confront issues of personal space and the cultural significance of hair.
Rapunzella’s natural hair, like her identity, is frequently misunderstood or fetishised by others. The author uses this narrative to raise a critical point: the disrespectful tendency to touch people’s hair without permission. It’s not just about hair; it’s about agency and autonomy over one's body. Rapunzella declares:
“My hair is my crown, and I won’t let anyone take that from me”.
Psychologists have often emphasised the importance of self-image in shaping self-esteem. According to Dr. Joy DeGruy, a leading expert on the psychology of race and identity “How we feel about ourselves can be directly connected to how others perceive us, and this is especially true for Black women and their hair. When society sends messages that our natural hair is unacceptable, it can have a damaging effect on self-worth.”
This highlights the critical need for young people to resist internalising negative societal views about their natural hair.
The novel also explores the emotional and cultural weight that Black hair carries. For Rapunzella, her hair is a connection to her heritage, her family, and her inner strength. This resonates with many Black girls and women who have grown up in a world that often deems their natural hair as unprofessional or unkempt. Rapunzella beautifully captures this complexity, reflecting: “My hair is not just hair—it’s my story, my heritage, my strength.”
"Is there a future where your dreams are more than just dreams?"
This is a thought-provoking line from the book that taps into the idea of realising potential and breaking free from limitations. It connects to the broader theme of personal empowerment and the importance of believing in one’s dreams.
By reclaiming this narrative, Rapunzella, Or Don’t Touch My Hair empowers its readers to resist conforming to beauty standards that don’t reflect who they truly are.
The novel doesn’t avoid depicting the struggles Rapunzella faces in finding self-acceptance. At one point, she reflects:
“I used to dream of having hair like the princesses in storybooks.
But then I realised—I’m a princess too.
And my hair is part of what makes me magical.”
Although the book relates to young women, it resonates with all of us, despite gender or race:
"Firstly—you are beautiful. Secondly—you are so much more than beautiful and your worth is not related to your desirability."
This reminds us that identity and self-love are powerful tools for personal growth and community building.
Friedrich Nietzsche emphasised the importance of creating one's own values in opposition to societal norms. Nietzsche's concept of the Übermensch encourages individuals to rise above external pressures, including those related to appearance, and live according to their own values. He famously said, “Become who you are!”—a call for individuals to embrace their unique identity rather than conform to imposed standards.
Another influential philosopher, Jean-Paul Sartre, explored the notion of bad faith, where individuals deceive themselves into thinking they must conform to societal expectations. Sartre believed that people often live inauthentically by internalising others' judgments and expectations. To live authentically, Sartre argued, one must embrace radical freedom and responsibility for their own choices, rejecting pressures that undermine self-determination.
Additionally, Bell Hooks, a contemporary philosopher and cultural critic, emphasised the power of rejecting dominant beauty standards in her work on Black feminist thought. She argued that beauty standards rooted in white supremacy marginalise Black women and reinforce systemic oppression. For Hooks, reclaiming beauty—particularly Black beauty—is an act of resistance and empowerment.
“Loving Blackness as political resistance transforms our ways of looking and being, creating spaces for the self-valuation and self-care that affirm Blackness in the face of a culture that marginalizes it”(Fight Hatred).
Rapunzella, Or Don’t Touch My Hair ends with a message:
“I will wear my crown proudly, and no one will ever take it from me again.”
Doesn’t it leave us with a profound sense of pride and courage?
As Maya Angelou noticed: "One isn’t necessarily born with courage, but one is born with potential. Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can’t be kind, true, merciful, generous, or honest".
Courage is foundational to expressing our true selves and living with integrity. Robert F. Kennedy once observed: "Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope." This echoes the narrative of standing up against unjust beauty standards, celebrating the courage to be different and proud.
Rapunzella teaches us that true beauty is worn with pride. In a society where personal space is often overlooked, Rapunzella reminds us:
“It’s not just about my hair; it’s about respect for who I am.”
In a world where many still view issues like hair as trivial, this novel offers a much-needed reminder: hair is never just hair. It’s a reflection of history, identity, courage and resilience. Rapunzella teaches us that, despite external pressures, there is immense power in owning and celebrating our true selves.
