Isabelle Shaw, Student Newspaper Staff Writer the current.
On Oct. 19, Brookdale students and the general public will be invited to attend the “Black Women” performance at the Two River Theater in Red Bank, led by Gilda Rogers, executive director of Brookdale’s T. Thomas Fortune Foundation and Cultural Center. I enjoyed the interactive presentation on “Hair and Wellness”. Dr. Carol Penn, adjunct professor of history at Red Bank and Brookdale and board-certified family physician;
The two women had a thought-provoking discussion about black women’s relationship with their hair, against the historical backdrop of African pride. While the focus was on women’s hair, male members of the audience shared the evolution that led them to love their natural hair.
“Ever since I was little I hated my hair and was ashamed of it,” said Nathaniel Bostic, 43, a Brookdale student from Marlboro. “But now I realize that my hair is who I am. It’s something I’ll have for the rest of my life and I’m proud of it. It gives me confidence and I love styling my hair.” It helps me keep my head high.”
“Getting to the Roots” was the focus of the talk, which included a discussion of the hair combs African women used to create elaborate hairstyles before they were enslaved and sent to the Caribbean and American colonies. It started from. These hair combs, ranging from ordinary to ornately decorated, were worn to indicate gender, royal status, marital status, and to emphasize the beauty of African hair.
Traditionally in Africa, some believed that caring for the physical head was as important as the spiritual head, and that it determined a person’s destiny. Once Africans were enslaved, they were forced to shave or cut their hair, effectively stripping them of their identity. It was also a way to control them. Rogers recommended the book 400 Years Without a Comb by Willie L. Morrow to learn more about this struggle.
Eventually, as more Africans were able to purchase their freedom and settle in the area now known as Louisiana, the freedom of dark-skinned women with elaborate hairstyles incorporating feathers and jewelry. Women and light-skinned free women began to be perceived as a “threat.” In 1786, the Tignon Act was passed, “forbidding Creole colored women from taking undue care in their dress on the streets of New Orleans.” Even free women were forced to wear a tignon (scarf) in their hair to indicate that they belonged to the slave class. Rogers said the governor would regulate women who “threat the social order by becoming too light-skinned, dressing too elegantly, or competing too freely with white women for status.” He said he wanted it.
As generations passed and the culture shifted from African to African American, black women wore their dark hair to fit Americanism and the established social construct of white European beauty models (light skin and straight hair). I absorbed the message that I needed to change.
Rogers explained: “When I was a kid, getting my hair done every two weeks was a ritualized chore. In every black household, I used to heat a straight comb or hot curlers on the stove, sometimes burning my neck or ears. It wasn’t fun, but I believed I had to do it, so I did it. When we talk about hair, this is what black culture represents.”
Following the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act, a culture of black youth emerged determined to be themselves. They embraced their African roots, starting with their hair. Afros, ornate combs, Afro picks, and colorful dashikis were all once again embraced as representative of our African homeland.
Faith Ismail, 19, an English major from Eatontown, said she didn’t understand the phrase “Our hair is political.” But now, after hearing this story, I understand it. It was an eye-opening experience. ”
Ismail also recalled that her grandmother was furious with her when she shaved the sides of her head for her current hairstyle. “Thanks to this program, I was able to better understand why shaving my hair was so unpleasant for her and why she reacted so strongly.”
White businesses in America at the time were not ready for this cultural change and would not hire people with African hair, leaving the black community once again dependent on hair relaxers and other curling irons. They often contained toxic ingredients and emitted dangerous gases, Rogers said.
Finally, in 2019, the CROWN Act (Respecting Natural Hair, Creating an Open World) was enacted, making race-based hair discrimination in workplaces and schools illegal in 22 states.
Mr. Rogers explained how this has changed. “Susan Taylor, editor of Essence Magazine, has been instrumental in helping us black women learn to love ourselves and our authenticity. We are finally able to face our hair. We were trying to live up to a look that didn’t come out of our heads. We’ve struggled to come to terms with our hair for a long time. It’s only in the last 20 years that I’ve started to like it.”
Rogers said we are moving in a more positive direction when it comes to loving our hair. Recent statistics show that 71 percent of Black women choose to wear their hair naturally, and the use of hair relaxers has decreased by 31 percent. If we begin to educate ourselves, she said, we can begin to move in a more equitable direction, with mutual respect and appreciation.
Rogers then turned the program over to Dr. Carol Penn.
Mr. Penn explained the various health issues that can affect your hair. He pointed out that some things that affect hair, such as cancer treatments, are out of an individual’s control. However, diet, exercise, and stress reduction can help with other issues as well. Penn suggested avoiding tightly pulled-up hairstyles, which affect scalp health and circulation.
In addition to specific vitamin and dietary suggestions, they also shared recipes for conditioning hair using herbs and natural substances. The focus was on stress reduction for overall health and wellness, with Penn leading the group through guided meditation movements and encouraging participants to continue the practice daily.
Audience members asked questions and shared their hair stories. Some were heartbreaking stories of losing hair to cancer treatment, while others were joyous and grateful for the strength and beauty of all the black women in the room.
Collan Hossan, a psychology major at Union College, said, “I loved how Gilda Rogers and Dr. Penn explore the history of black hair, including how the scarf became an object.” I didn’t know anything until then, but all this was very important for me, and for everyone, to absorb and learn.”
Kenneth Grant, 19, a media studies major from Matawan, concluded the event with these beautiful words:
“Our (black) hair carries memories and stories. It carries the DNA of our ancestors. It is spiritual and magical. We use the word crown. I think it’s the perfect way to represent my hair. It’s a beautiful representation of the gravity-defying power of black. Other people’s hair can’t be what our hair is…My hair is my identity. It became my calling card. I never feel better than when my hair is big and bushy.”
Recipes for healthy hair and skin
Courtesy of Dr. Carol Penn
The following recipe will stimulate and protect your scalp, hair follicles and skin.
Approximately 24 treatments possible
1 cup apple cider vinegar
2-3 sprigs of fresh rosemary or 3 tablespoons dried rosemary
2-3 sprigs of fresh lavender or 3 tablespoons dried lavender
2-3 sprigs of fresh sage or 3 tablespoons dried sage
Method:
1. Put herbs and vinegar in a wide-mouthed jar, shake, and let soak for about 2 weeks, avoiding light and heat. After two weeks, strain the liquid and discard the herbs. What was left was the tincture I made.
2. Mix 1 tablespoon of vinegar tincture with 1 cup of water.
3. Apply the tincture and water mixture after shampooing and leave it on your hair for 5, 10, or 15 minutes before rinsing or using conditioner.
When rinsing your face, follow the same proportions as above. Add 1 tablespoon of tincture vinegar to 1 cup of water and spray the water and vinegar mixture on your face in a small spritzer bottle. This protects the first few layers of your skin and gives you beautiful, moisturized skin.
Tinctures last for several months at room temperature. To further extend the life of your tincture, refrigerate it.
