Black Hair-itage

Members of the black community came together to share their personal hair journey and how their hairstyle reflects their identity as part of the Black Hair-itage panel event at the UTA Central Library Tuesday, Feb. 7. 

Milaun Murry, an Experiential Learning librarian, asked the panel about the role hair plays in the black community and in their personal lives. 

Xavien Johns, panelist, and UTA alum, shared that hair has always been a way to express personal identity. 

“I think that black hair has always been a way of self-expression. I think of fros in the 1970s to braids to now with the locs,” Xavien said. “It is our opportunity to be our truer selves.” 

Dr. Jandel Crutchfield, panelist and Assistant Social Work professor, shared Xavien’s thoughts about the role hair plays in the black community. She shared that the way people wear their hair represents freedom. 

“Our hair has often been policed down to the legislation and laws,” Jandel said. “For us to wear our hair the way we want is why it is near and dear to us, and I agree that it is part of self-expression as well.” 

 Milaun then asked the panel when they each started their hair journey. Panel members told Milaun that they started their hair journey early in life, during high school and some panelists stated it was later in college. The reasons behind these hair journeys included wanting a more natural look, health reasons, and self-expression. 

The panel was asked about the stigmas or prejudices they faced during their hair journey. 

Adre Clay, a UTA student, stated that he faced prejudices connected with his hairstyle at work. Police came into his workplace and placed him in handcuffs. The officers informed him that he fit the description of a robbery suspect due to his dreadlock hairstyle. 

He noted this is the type of prejudice “we face every day when we decide to grow our hair out” when people make assumptions or are uneducated. 

Members of the audience shared similar experiences they have had with their hair, not only at the workplace, but at school and out in public. They suggested that employers and the university could take a more active role in understanding hairstyles, the culture connected with them, and what is involved with proper hair care. 

Also, audience members mentioned that these conversations need to occur regularly and not just during Black History Month in February. 

Following the panel discussion, Milaun gave a hands-on demonstration about how to make different hair care products at home and gave instructions on hair care.