Panelists discuss political implications of hair
Illustration by Allison Verjinkski
For women of color, the ramifications of having certain hair textures can be difficult to navigate, according to participants in a panel hosted by The Broad on March 20.
Chelsea Higgs Wise, a member of The Broad — Richmond’s new “workspace and clubhouse” for women — moderated the discussion. She encouraged audience members to be vocal with anecdotes or questions, both of which appeared regularly throughout the evening.
Higgs Wise reflected on her own relationship with her hair, or lack thereof, being that most of it is shaved-off. This style “also sends a certain message,” she says.
For Meryem Karad, one of the event’s panelists, religion has played a role in how she views her hair. As a Muslim woman who doesn’t cover her hair, she says she has to deal with assumptions about how she practices Islam.
“Just because I don’t cover my head doesn’t mean I’m not more faithful,” Karad said. “That’s the struggle.”
Karad currently works for the governor’s office, but previously held a corporate position. During the discussion, she recalled an experience in which a coworker told her she looked “so much more professional” when she straightened her naturally curly hair. Karad said she hasn’t straightened her hair in five years because of this interaction.
Panelist Brandi Summers, an African-American Studies professor at VCU, also addressed her experiences with hair and identity in relation to her career.
“There was a point in which I worked in corporate America which was really conservative,” Summers said. “So I had to adapt and negotiate my identity and how I wanted to express myself.”
Panelists and audience members also discussed how women of color, particularly Black women, are pressured to straighten their hair with relaxers, altering their natural textures. As explained by panelist and owner of Parlor Salon, Mahri Jones, relaxers contain chemicals that break down the coiled bonds in textured hair. Many women, she said, feel obligated to do this to make their hair seem more “White.”
Higgs Wise turned to the audience to explain why it was “interesting” that Jones, the only White woman on the panel, discussed the science behind relaxers. She asked every woman who had used a relaxer to raise her hand, later asking those who didn’t identify as women of color to put their hands down. Nearly, if not every, hand stayed up.
“It is really important that we notice that the term relaxer and understanding your coils really is a piece for women of color,” Higgs Wise said.
Summers said hair length and texture was a “big deal” to her female relatives, who ended up with hair damage and other issues as a result of their styling.
“They were so interested in their hair and representing themselves in a particular way,” Summers said. “I tried to shy away from that, but of course when you’re raised in that kind of community and culture, it’s hard to resist it.”
Panelist and author of children’s book, “My Hair is Fuzzy, My Hair is Cute,” Toni Winston discussed the idea that there is a difference in experience surrounding hair even amongst women of color. Looser, softer curls are considered less “offensive.”
“There is a safe zone when it comes to hair, what’s presentable, what’s not acceptable [in society],” Winston said.
Winston said she stopped going to the salon frequently because she didn’t want to spend so much time there. She said she also wanted to teach her daughter to love her natural hair instead of admire other hair textures.
“Then I began to understand the versatility [in terms of style] of hair being not relaxed,” Winston said. “I can’t get caught up in what somebody else likes. I’m not defined by my hair. I am who I am.”
Georgia Geen Spectrum Editor
