Final Project: Black Hair

 

Introduction

          Throughout this semester we have been exploring various themes that relate to patriarchy, race, gender and how these themes shape our lives. This class has informed me on the various ways that my identity, as a black woman, is shaped through media. Most media that seek to show women of color do not have positive images of these women, or there is an absence of women of color in general. They often play up harmful stereotypes that are detrimental to forming a healthy identity. It is for this that I have decided to center my final project on representation black women.

The themes of representation, power, and agency have been discussed to great lengths in this class as a means to combat the injustice of patriarchy. It is with these ideas in mind that I managed to make my final project—a non-linear narrative documenting the experience of black hair in America. Two sources that further informed my final project were the Oppositional Gaze by Bell Hooks and A Single Story, a speech given by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Both served as fuel for my project.

Purpose of Project

          This project is meant to create positive representation, power, and agency for black girls and women. This project is meant to encourage discussion and active critical thinking of images and ideas concerning black women, their appearances, and how media portrays black women. In Black Hair you, the reader, will get to explore misconceptions concerning natural hair and hair care in the black community which are often mocked or looked down upon in our society.  I hope you have a wonderful time and learn as much as you can from this book. I also hope that you will enjoy and participate fully in the questions that will be posed to you later on in Black Hair.   

Project Process

    My project, Black Hair, was initially a children’s book that focused on a little girl with natural hair. It is close to show and tell, and she cannot find anything special to show. She doesn’t feel special at all. However, with some encouragement from her mother, she comes to the conclusion that the object is not what is special but the meaning and story behind it. She chooses to “show" her hair. Some people agree and disagree that it is something special, but she insists that it is and invites the reader to share something special about themselves.

Much like Zendaya my charater was 
supposed to "dismiss" the negative  narratives surrounding
her  appearance and   uplift her narrative.

             I was attached to this idea for a while. However as the semester progressed I felt that I needed to push my work further. I feel that the ideas of power, representation and agency were addressed in this first attempt (the children’s book). In terms of power the girl was able to overcome herself self-depreciation. In terms of agency, she is able advocate for herself and the narrative of her choosing. Lastly, in terms of representation, she as a little black girl encourages other black girls love their hair and be vocal about the things they love. All three themes are further addressed and put into action when the reader participates in the show and tell.

Zendaya has been a very vocal and
positive role model for girls--especially
black girls.

             I was content with this outline at first. However, after getting some feedback from various people I decide to change the way my project spread its message. I still focus on black hair, but now you (the reader) are the main character, and you can choose how your story progresses. Depending on what you choose the situation changes. You are given information that is meant to challenge pervasive perceptions of black women and their appearances, and you have to opportunity of to assert your ideas and opinions.  The theme of representation is further extrapolated upon when you are invited to create your own character (you can draw your own or or even use ). As your story line comes to an end you can further participate in the by writing about your hair experience, how this book has helped change your perception of black hair and so on. By constructing this novel this way would produce more discussion (and action) concerning black women and their representation. I hope to address this topic more so in the future.

Distribution

             In order to get this known publicly I have made it known on several social media platforms such as Instagram and Facebook, and a digital copy is on yumpu.com. Instagram was used for promotion. There is also link to a pdf on my website that will become a web based project to be launched on Dec. 22.

Works Cited

"Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: The Danger of a Single Story | TED Talk | TED.com." TED: Ideas Worth Spreading. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Dec. 2015. <https://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_adichie_the_danger_of_a_single_story?language=en>.

"Elizabeth Acevedo - "Hair"." YouTube. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Dec. 2015. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0svS78Nw_yY>.

"A Girl Like Me." YouTube. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Dec. 2015. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWyI77Yh1Gg>.

Harris-Perry, Melissa V. Sister Citizen: Shame, Stereotypes, and Black Women in America. New Haven: Yale UP, 2011. Print.

Hooks, Bell. Black Looks: Race and Representation. Boston: South End Press, 1992. Print.

"Melissa Harris Perry- How Black Hair Matters." YouTube. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Dec. 2015. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBAObetZed8>.

Mulvey, Laura. Visual and Other Pleasures. Bloomington: Indiana UP, 1989. Print.