Elegancy101 Special: Pannel Discussion At "I AM NOT MY HAIR, AM I?" event

I had the privilege to take part in the panel of the "I AM NOT MY HAIR, AM I" event.   I must say the event was a huge success! The day was full of live entertainment, giveaways, hairshow, a panel discussion, and great food! Of course we were able to come together as natural women, proudly rocking our natural curls and celebrating our beauty together.

 

This event was actually named after the popular song titled “I am not my hair” written by the artist India Arie. The song, by this powerful black soultress, has helped to change and challenge the view of Black women in the beauty and music industry all around the world. Through her song “I am not my hair”, she encouraged black women to not let their physical features such as their hair define who they are but yet let their character and soul define them.

This panel was very important because it served as a platform in which perceptions of our racial identity as it relates to our experiences with local racisms were expressed. Since race has a strong socially constructed, meaning and hair serves as a racial marker, I found it necessary to hear how others view the myth of an ideal beauty standard that affects Black women’s identity.

For many black women hair can be as versatile as clothes. It can simply be an accessory, a mask for deeper pain towards ones self, a political statement, or a source of controversy. And the lines about people's opinions on black hair do not cut racially.

During the panel we discussed about braids, kinky hair, and dreadlocks being looked at as unprofessional in the workforce. How black men view natural hair, stereotypes, Good Hair and natural hair statements in the political vs. creative area. I really enjoyed myself during the panel discussion and the hairshow was very entertaining!

  

  

 

  

Now I want to hear from you guys! What do you think? Do you let your hair define who you are or do you see your hair as an accessory? Discuss below!