‘Making Hairstories’: A Women’s History Month Event
Celebrating Black Women’s Hair: Our Visions, Aesthetics & Influence in Community and Contemporary Culture
Last year, I had the privilege of curating and hosting 'Making Hairstories'—an event that celebrated Black women’s hair as an important evolving narrative for women’s history month. Through short film screenings, thoughtful discussions, and zine-making, we explored the powerful intersections of beauty and aesthetics with identity and community, shedding light on how Black women’s hair influences contemporary culture and wider society.
Empathy & Ethnography: A Gathering of Thoughtful Minds
When I was conceptualizing this event, I drew inspiration from an essay I wrote during university. It was all about exploring how anthropologists might examine contemporary issues through the lens of one of the senses. In my case, I decided to investigate the politics surrounding black women’s hair— and as a visual artist, of course I chose sight. I found that it was a rich space for me to personally explore the link between the cultural significance of our hair and vision as a social construct. Little did I know, the incredible women who attended would not only resonate but bring such deep engagement to the very same intersections I had discussed in my paper.
The event began with such humility, empathy and wonderful moments of connection as we shared personal stories about our hair journeys and exchanged thoughts on its role in shaping our identities. As we ventured deeper, I could sense the ethnographic themes unfolding in real time and it quickly became apparent that these stories tie into how our hair acts as a symbol that communicates more than just aesthetics - but personal and communal markings of how we navigate relationships with ourselves and others that influences our daily lives.
Combing Through Our Fro’s: Film Screening Discussions
The film screenings that followed further illuminated these ideas. We watched and analysed four short films: This Hair of Mine, Unbecoming is Beautiful, Good Hair: The Perceptions of Racism and Change Your Style. Each film offered different perspectives behind the symbolism of black women’s hair, from cultural and institutional struggles to self expression and defiance. As we unpacked them, questions began to surface: ’how does our hair affect our mood / promote wellbeing?’ and ‘how does our hair help us discover and rediscover parts of ourselves?’ These discussions steered us into a deeper examination of beauty standards, race, gender and the implications of conformity and resistance in society.
While we recognised the emotional and thought-provoking nature of our conversations, we also realised that the questions we raised pointed to a desire to move beyond conventional arguments. We were eager to celebrate the influence Black women’s hair holds in contemporary culture, embracing a more progressive and inclusive understanding of its significance.
Owning our Hairstories through Zine Making
In the spirit of owning our stories, the zine-making workshop allowed us to further explore the connection between creativity and anthropology - providing the perfect creative outlet to put pen to paper and respond to all points and themes presented throughout the day to craft our own visual narratives. From drawing mermaids swimming in blue magic and pink lotion to making a hair thesaurus explaining pop culture phrases birthed out of black women’s conversations in salons, the act of creating these zines served as a tangible form of expression and activism. Each zine became a small archive of the event, contributing to a visual anthropology of black women’s hair.
Final Quirks and Reflections
At the end of the event, everyone received free Shea Moisture products as a token of appreciation for their participation. However, the true gift was the progressive thought and sense of community built. I am thankful that I was able to create a space for people to not only share and learn but also celebrate one another’s diverse experiences, all while grounding those stories in ever evolving frameworks of identity and culture.
Reflecting on 'Making Hairstories', it’s clear that Black women’s hair is much more than just a personal feature. It is a powerful symbol of resilience and innovation —one that allows us to reflect on the past while eagerly looking forward to the future.
