The Oscar-nominated short film "Hair Love" — written, produced, and directed by Matthew A. Cherry — celebrates the diversity and versatility of black hair, and as a result, black girls are feeling the love and boost in confidence.

"I can have any type of hair I want to and I’ll still be pretty," said 12-year-old Anaiyah Schab.

"It shows my culture, it defines me as a black woman," said K'Nai Bridges.

But curly hair, locs, and braids have not always historically been celebrated. The discrimination against black people's hair and how they choose to style it affects the community in many ways. It can keep black people from jobs, housing, and other opportunities — all due to a standard they had no say in establishing. 

This discrimination is so prominent that only in 2019 was the targeted discrimination and/or harassment against people based on their hair or hairstyle banned in New York by the New York City Commission on Human Rights.

"I didn’t feel professional with my natural hair. It took me like 25 years to embrace [my hair in its natural state]," said hair artist Michaela Medici. 

An increase in access to information and people wearing natural styles is helping black people — especially young girls and women — feel comfortable with their natural hair. This is being spearheaded by the natural hair movement, started by black women with tighter hair curls than others.

"I wear my hair now and people are like 'whoa, what’s going on?' " said Medici. 

Those we spoke to say more representation like the "Hair Love" short film is necessary.

"[Other black girls] feel like, 'oh, they’re wearing their hair like that; I can, too,' " said Bridges.