By Esinam Asima
Last year, The Guardian published an article stating that some schools in the United Kingdom still do not allow kids to wear their natural hair to school, resulting in students being sent home for wearing natural afro styles, braids, cornrows, and plaits. The topic sparked debate in homes and schools around the UK and led me to wonder, ‘Why should I be told how to wear my hair?’ It also made me wonder, what does my hair mean to me?
Some individuals believe that our hair can represent our identity or ideals, and you must agree that having a great hair day can boost your confidence in ways you never imagined. Writer, author and self-empowerment coach Sandra Cooze agrees stating that, “In many cultures, hair is seen as something sacred, an extension of us, … hair is a conduit for both positive and negative energies.” Sandra, on the other hand, claims that “it is an extension of our mind holding our thoughts, emotions, stress, hopes, and fears.” This means that, while our hair can have a beneficial effect on our emotions, it can also bring us stress and fear, as many individuals throughout the world have discovered.
In truth, stigmas against diverse hair types and curl patterns have been lessened through time; nonetheless, prejudices have impacted many, therefore it may be difficult to totally demolish some of the stereotypes around certain hair forms. For example, I’m sure you’ve heard the term ‘stupid blonde,’ which means that some people believe blonde haired persons have lower IQ than the typical human, which is entirely incorrect because they evaluate a person’s intelligence on their appearance rather than their personality.
Furthermore, some people may regard curly hair as ‘messy’ or ‘unruly’ because it is not the customary straight, silky, and flawlessly styled hair shown on television. In fact, numerous advertisements and television shows pushed curly-haired people to straighten their hair to make it simpler to manage, the increase of social media usage has also had an effect on the way the younger generation view their hair. One positive impact of social media is the fact that influencers can share hairstyles as well as teach and debunk incorrect hair myths.
Society’s acceptance of the world’s diverse hair types cannot be accomplished in a single night; rather, we must educate people the beauty of expressing our culture, values, and beliefs through our hair styles, whether 1a or 4c. We must also continue to use social media in a positive way, sharing and teaching others on how we can embrace our roots.