Conversation Series - Don’t Touch My Hair!
There is a fascination in touching the hair of persons and children of African descent, wether it is styled in an Afro, Curls, Coils or protective styling such as braids, plaits or twists. Its is problematic because It is an invasion of basic personal space, never mind the disrespect and question of hygiene in placing your hands in another persons hair who you have no personal relationship. Its surprising the confidence and naturalness some feel in touching the hair because it’s “different” or the toucher/s wants to know “what it feels like” since they have “never touched or seen hair like this” “is it more Black or White” and even “if its real ?”.
To contextualise the dynamic at play we must look to history, starting with the development of race theory rooted in Europe which placed White bodies and features at the top and the Black bodies and features at the bottom of the race pyramid. This grouping meant that persons and children of African descent would have to suffer being subjected to scientific studies, subjugation and/or sale (slavery, colonialism, genocide), exhibition and exploitation (human zoos), segregation (Apartheid), policing (Eurocentric beauty standards). In short these bodies became other, lower in value and disposable (Black Lives Matter).
While there is an intimate, sweet affection in touching your loved one’s hair, it is still an extremely personal matter for all of us taking on an added layer for children of African descent especially living in a European context. In the day-to-day, a child of African descent might repeatedly have people touching their hair which is reminder of their difference be it positive or negative. On top of this, the child notes that their non-Black peers hair is not touched or discussed in the same way as theirs. And true, being different has its positives though for a child who simply wants to fit in, this can be a challenge when they are made to always feel that they are an object for people to touch and discuss as they want.
Don’t forget that in this day and age children and people of African descent are still penalised for wearing their hair in protective styles or as it naturally grows on their heads, from losing out on job opportunities or being suspended from school and excluded from extracurricular activities. And, should they chose to conform with European beauty standards which bring with social and economic gains there is still the underlying critique when they like their non-Black peers chemically alter, treat or colour their hair.
Thankfully due to the democratising nature of technology and social media, there is a natural hair movement celebrating and educating others on Afro, curly or coily textured hair in all its diverse form and in particular the hair of children and people African descent. Don’t forget being of African decent comes in many shades, shapes and forms as does the hair textures, colours, lengths and thickness of people of African descent.
Should you be interested in what it means to have Afro, curly, coily textured hair in Switzerland click link for SRF Dok Women with Afro Curls - A Long History of Discrimination
