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The discrimination faced by people of colour for embracing their natural hair is pervasive and deeply troubling. It's disheartening to realise that individuals can face differential treatment based not only on their skin colour, but also on the stunning and unique texture of their hair. To explore this issue further, I interviewed individuals from France and Wales to understand how embracing their natural hair has impacted their personal identity.
Océane is a French teacher and Natural hair activist living in Paris, France. She is the host of Curl talk show, a community talk show that celebrates hair.
What does your hair say about your personal identity?
My natural hair says that now I am bold, and it has not always been the case because I used to hide myself a lot for years as a kid and a teenager. Most of my friends did not have the same hair type as me and my hair was not considered as ‘beautiful’ in white areas (I went to mainly white middle school and high school), so I was ashamed of my hair for years even though my whole family has always been telling me that my hair was amazing.
My hair also means I am powerful, because that’s how I feel when I wear my hair in its natural state at work, on the streets, in social media etc. My hair also means ‘beautiful’ because I truly believe for eight years now (when I started transitioning) that my hair is wonderful and I love every bit of it, every stage of it, even if it takes a lot of patience, understanding, and learning my hair every single day; I love it.
Why is hair significant in personal identity?
My hair is significant in personal identity because it really shows who I am, my origins and heritage. I am a mixed girl. My mom is black, French and comes from Cameroon, and my father is white and French. It truly reflects my DNA and I love it. It is so important to embrace your background because when you know where you come from, you know where you are going, and my parents have always taught me that since I was 4-5 years old. I am very attached to my origins; I often go to Cameroon with my family since I was 8 years old, and my hair reminds me of this part of me.
By European society standards, what does hair say about a person?
In a European society, especially in Paris, France, your hair means where you come from and your social status. Even though in Paris, it’s super blended with a lot of origins and nationalities. There is still this unconscious ‘classification’ that says if you look black, you are not supposed to be rich and you are not the mainstream beauty standard in the country, even though it’s slowly moving forward.
Have you ever been pressured by European society standards to conform in any way?
I have been pressured by European society standards since when I started to go to kindergarten because that was when I saw that my hair was different for the first time in my life. Some kids told me hard things like you look like crap, or like a sheep, or a bush. When I had my braids on, they told me I looked like ‘medusa’. So, at 12 I asked my mom to relax my hair. She did not accept it at first, but she saw that I was so desperate that she finally let me do that. I relaxed my hair from 12 to 16 years old. It's sad to say it but I really felt beautiful when I relaxed and straightened my hair
What impact has those expectations had on your identity?
As I said, I relaxed my hair for years and I had no representation in the French media. There were no prominent black TV hosts or major black French singers to serve as role models. It was challenging to develop my sense of self while embracing my natural hair, because society often conveyed the message that individuals like me were not represented. Today it is still moving slowly. We have ‘Aya Nakamura’ but she is the only huge French black female singer that we can see and she is not very supported by the French media.
Those expectations also pushed me to love myself as I grew up because I saw so many beautiful girls like me on social media and it encouraged me to create my Instagram page to learn about my hair, share some hair tips, to spread self-love on my page for other black or mixed women. Now, I also want to create my own TV show / media on my YouTube channel, to interview black French public figures and to talk about natural hair and other subjects like racism, discrimination, texturism, success and failures in French society. I want to allow the afro descendant community to speak in a safe place.
Donna is a Jamaican born British citizen who has lived in the UK her whole life.
What does your hair say about your personal identity?
My hair is my God given natural beauty.
Why is hair significant in personal identity?
My hair signifies personal strength and individuality.
By European society standards, what does hair say about a person?
I do not adhere to European standards and wear the locks on my head with great pride (like Samson).
Have you ever been pressured by European society standards to conform in any way?
No, I have not been pressured by the European society standards to conform.
What impact has those expectations had on your identity?
No impact at all, as I am free to wear my hair however I choose, with pride.
Philip is a registered dietician and an online transformation coach who helps parents transform unhealthy behaviours to healthy habits whilst enjoying quality time with family.
He is the CEO of Cleanbite Ltd, a dietetic services and meal prep services.
What does your hair say about your personal identity?
My locks symbolise power, strength, wealth, and abundance. They are not just strands of hair; they are my crown, a declaration of my Kingship. Wearing my hair in this way fills me with pride, knowing that I am not only expressing my own joy and self-love but also instilling these values in my son through the pride I take in my locks.
Why is hair significant in personal identity?
Accepting your natural hair makes you comfortable in your own skin and eventually, helps you defend your hair, what it signifies and what it means.
By European society standards, what does hair say about a person?
Despite facing derogatory comments about the professionalism of our hair, I've found solace in the fact that at my workplace, people appreciate and even compliment my hair. It's more than just 'cool'; it holds deeper significance for me. Thankfully, no one here questions its professionalism. This acceptance of who I am and the meaning my hair holds is something that resonates visibly, allowing others to understand its importance.
Have you ever been pressured by European society standards to conform in any way?
I wouldn't characterise it as direct pressure. Personally, I prefer to keep my hair tidy and looking nice. So, I would say that's just always been my preference. It's not really influenced by pressure from European society; it's more of a personal choice for me.
What impact has those expectations had on your identity?
Absolutely nothing. I still wear my locks.
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