Michelle Obama says Americans "were not ready" for her natural hair during Barack Obama's tenure in the White House.

The former first lady spoke at the Warner Theater in Washington DC this week to promote her new book, The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times, with former host Ellen DeGeneres.

Obama said she decided to straighten her hair after the American people were "just starting to adjust" to having a black first family, the Washington Post reported.

Although it would have been easier to braid her hair, Obama recalled thinking, "No, they're not ready for it," referring to the American public.

Fearing that her hair would be used as a distraction, Obama decided to straighten her hair so that the administration could focus on its agenda instead of answering racist questions about her hair.

The 58-year-old said that "hairstyles are another barrier that black women face in the workplace."

"Natural hairstyles can be criticized as less professional," she said.

The US House of Representatives passed a bill in March banning discrimination based on hairstyles. The Senate has not yet approved the measure. Some states and municipalities have adopted local versions of the law.

Source: Guardian