Photo by Ricardo Coronado, 2019.
On February 26, 2020, in honor of Black History Month, Skyline College Library celebrated the passing of The CROWN Act and shared what black natural hair means to the culture’s heritage. This open space cultivated dialogue about the journey to embrace and to love one’s natural hair.
Sherri Wyatt, Instructional Aide II for the Learning Commons, facilitated the discussion. She started with reading the summary of The CROWN Act – Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair. The Act, which went into effect January 1, 2020, was a long awaited legislation that “extended statutory protection … in the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and state Education Codes” (thecrownact.com). California was the first to pass this legislation as a fight against the consistent work place and public education discrimination against people, especially black women, for wearing hair in a natural texture, braids, locks or other protective styles. New York and New Jersey followed California’s lead. After reading the Act, Wyatt read “Rediscovering My Hair,” a prose written by Paulette M. Caldwell.
To get the discussion started, Wyatt opened with a question: What does your natural hair mean to you? For her, her natural hair was her way to finally accept herself as a beautiful black woman. Ajeé Sanders, a Skyline College student, shared the two reasons behind rocking her natural hair. She decided to break the curse of “inter-generational trauma,” caused by the misunderstanding of black hair texture that led to mismanagement. Also cutting her hair shaped how she defined femininity and beauty. Femininity and beauty was not based in her hair, but based on what is not seen – what’s within. Leslie Peay, Class Development and Cultural Arts Coordinator for Daly City, echoed those sentiments and shed light on “living her true self.” Two other Skyline College students, Pearl Ibeanusi and Charlene Weah-Weah, stressed the sacredness of black natural hair and the need to stop the stigmatization, especially in the work place and public education. Pearl gave poignant examples of how she fought for their children’s right to wear their natural hair in public school.
The event continued with the intertwining of a TED Talk segment “I am not your stereotype. I am not my hair” by Zodidi Jewel Gaseb; more discussion; Dr. Bianca Rowden-Quince reading “The Wig”, a poem written by U.S. Poet Laureate and Pulitzer Prize winner Rita Dove; the viewing of the 2020 Oscar winner for best animated short “Hair Love”; and ending with India Arie’s song “A Beautiful Day.” More than 50 people from Skyline College and the local community attended the event, coming together to embrace our natural CROWN...
Article by Sherri Wyatt
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Twisted: The Tangled History of Black Hair Culture by
"Stamped from the Beginning" meets "You Can't Touch My Hair "in this timely and resonant essay collection Guardian contributor and BBC race correspondent Emma Dabiri, exploring the ways in which black hair has been appropriated and stigmatized throughout history, with ruminations on body politics, race, pop culture, and Dabiri's own journey to loving her hair. Dabiri can tell you the first time she chemically straightened her hair. She can describe the smell, the atmosphere of the salon, and her mix of emotions when she saw her normally kinky tresses fall down her shoulders. For as long as Emma can remember, her hair has been a source of insecurity, shame, and--from strangers and family alike--discrimination. And she is not alone. Despite increasingly liberal world views, black hair continues to be erased, appropriated, and stigmatized to the point of taboo. Through her personal and historical journey, Dabiri gleans insights into the way racism is coded in society's perception of black hair--and how it is often used as an avenue for discrimination. Dabiri takes us from pre-colonial Africa, through the Harlem Renaissance, and into today's Natural Hair Movement, exploring everything from women's solidarity and friendship, to the criminalization of dreadlocks, to the dubious provenance of Kim Kardashian's braids. Through the lens of hair texture, Dabiri leads us on a historical and cultural investigation of the global history of racism--and her own personal journey of self-love and finally, acceptance. Deeply researched and powerfully resonant, Twisted proves that far from being only hair, black hairstyling culture can be understood as an allegory for black oppression and, ultimately, liberation.
Crown by
Winner of the 2018 Kirkus Prize for Young Readers A Newbery Honor Book A Caldecott Honor Book A Coretta Scott King Author Honor Book A Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book An Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Award Book An Ezra Jack Keats New Illustrator Honor Book A Society of Illustrators Gold Medal Book Named one of the best books of 2017 by NPR, theHuffington Post,Publishers Weekly,Kirkus Reviews, theLos Angeles Times, theBoston Globe, theHorn Book Magazine, theNews & Observer,BookPage, Chicago Public Library, and more The barbershop is where the magic happens. Boys go in as lumps of clay and, with princely robes draped around their shoulders, a dab of cool shaving cream on their foreheads, and a slow, steady cut, they become royalty. That crisp yet subtle line makes boys sharper, more visible, more aware of every great thing that could happen to them when they look good: lesser grades turn into As; girls take notice; even a mother's hug gets a little tighter. Everyone notices. A fresh cut makes boysfly. This rhythmic, read-aloud title is an unbridled celebration of the self-esteem, confidence, and swagger boys feel when they leave the barber's chair--a tradition that places on their heads a figurative crown, beaming with jewels, that confirms their brilliance and worth and helps them not only love and accept themselves but also take a giant step toward caring how they present themselves to the world. The fresh cuts. That's where it all begins. Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut is a high-spirited, engaging salute to the beautiful, raw, assured humanity of black boys and how they see themselves when they approve of their reflections in the mirror.
Emi's Curly Coily, Cotton Candy Hair by
Emi is a creative 7-year-old girl with a BIG imagination. In this story Emi shares a positive message about her Curly, Coily, Cotton Candy Hair and what she likes most about it.The vibrant illustrations and fun story teach basic natural hair care techniques and tips in a playful and memorable way.
Hair Like Mine by
Hair Like Mine is the first book in the Kids Like Mine Series. It is a fun and easy read following a little girl who doesn't like that her naturally curly hair looks different from the other kids around her. On her quest to find someone with hair like hers, she soon realizes we are all unique and special in our own way.
Hair Love by
It's up to Daddy to give his daughter an extra-special hair style in this ode to self-confidence and the love between fathers and daughters, from Academy-Award winning director and former NFL wide receiver Matthew A. Cherry and New York Times bestselling illustrator Vashti Harrison. Zuri's hair has a mind of its own. It kinks, coils, and curls every which way. Zuri knows it's beautiful. When Daddy steps in to style it for an extra special occasion, he has a lot to learn. But he LOVES his Zuri, and he'll do anything to make her -- and her hair -- happy. Tender and empowering, “Hair Love” is an ode to loving your natural hair -- and a celebration of daddies and daughters everywhere.
Happy Hair by
African American girls and their beautiful hair are celebrated in this bright, joyful read-together picture book that will have girls everywhere repeating the book's chorus- "I love being me!" Full 'fro, cute bow! I love being me! Smart girl, cool curls! I love being me! African American girls will love seeing strong, happy reflections of themselves in this vibrant, rhythmic picture book celebrating the diversity of beautiful black hair. From a cute crop to pom-pom puffs, adorable illustrations of girls with gorgeous braids, blowouts, and bantus grace each page, side by side with a call-and-response affirmation that will make girls cheer. It's a great read-aloud to promote self-esteem for girls of all ages, building and growing the foundation of self-love (and hair love!) and letting every girl know "You are made beautiful!"
I Am Enough by
This gorgeous, lyrical ode to loving who you are, respecting others, and being kind to one another comes from Empire actor and activist Grace Byers and talented newcomer artist Keturah A. Bobo. We are all here for a purpose. We are more than enough. We just need to believe it.
I Love My Hair! by
A young African American girl describes the different, wonderful ways she can wear her hair.
Princess Hair by
Princesses with curls wear pearls. Princesses with head wraps take long naps. And princesses with teeny-weeny Afros wear teeny-weeny bows. Celebrate different hair shapes, textures, and styles in this self-affirming picture book! From dreadlocks to blowouts to braids, Princess Hair shines a spotlight on the beauty and diversity of black hair, showing young readers that every kind of hair is princess hair. Debut author-illustrator Sharee Miller encourages confidence and pride in this playful, colorful picture book that teaches readers to love every bit of themselves.
Skin Like Mine by
From the Creators of Hair Like Mine, Skin Like Mine is a fun, easy-to- read for beginners as well as advanced readers. An entertaining yet creative way to address and celebrate diversity among young children. Guaranteed to make you smile and a bit hungry.