[aurelian]

Was conking necessary to succeed, or was it done because many blacks preferred the appearance of straight hair?

Sidney Poitier played a doctor in No Way Out in 1950, and his hair doesn't appear to have been straightened.

[wpietri]

You might find this helpful: http://tressiemc.com/2013/10/29/the-logic-of-stupid-poor-peo...