by Naima Baez
On November 9 in the JC Meeting Room C, Women and Gender Studies and MyNatural hosted an event entitled Black Women’s Hair: History, Culture, and Identity from 3-5 pm. MyNatural is a student-led group that not only discusses the topic of Black women’s natural hair, but the intersections of identity, mental health, and self-esteem.
The Black Hair event consisted of a presentation that touched on the history of Black hair including hair as a symbol of tribal identity prior to the Transatlantic slave trade and the afro as a symbol of black pride and empowerment during the Civil Rights Movement.
Additionally, Black hair discrimination within the school system and workplace was discussed under the lens of the ways in which it interrupts learning, removes job opportunities, promotes assimilation, and punishes Black identity.
Following the general presentation, there was a guided discussion regarding perceptions of black hair both inside and outside of the Black community in regard to all aspects of life including the social, political, and personal.
For the PowerPoint presentation click here
November 17, 2022
