PHOTO: Selena Moore and Aliya Beavers pose for hair day event. Photo courtesy of BSA. — Selena Moore and Aliya Beavers pose for hair day event. Photo courtesy of BSA.

BSA’s Hair Day event sparks discussion regarding afro-textured hair and discrimination

By Troylon Griffin II, Editor-in-Chief On Mar 3, 2019 275 1

The Black Student Association (BSA) held their Hair Day event on Feb. 21, 2019. The event was just one of several events put on by the University of Houston Clear Lake (UHCL) offices and student organization groups in honor of Black History Month and was centered around sparking conversation about being black and having afro-textured hair.

The event began with attendees having a number of tables to visit. At each table was a large sheet of paper asking those in attendance to write down their thoughts relating to the subject. These prompts included one’s earliest memories, good or bad, relating to their hair, what their thoughts are when it comes to terms like ‘good hair’ and ‘professional hair’ and writing down the best hair products and procedures for having the healthiest hair. After attendees rotated through each table, a discussion ensued about each topic, sparking discussions about what it means to be black and the struggles participants have dealt with from others because of their hair.

The idea for the event was the brainchild of Selena Moore, president of BSA and Julia Ross, parliamentarian of BSA.

PHOTO: Attendees of the UHCL's Black Student Association gather at the Hair Day event to discuss issues in the black community relating to afro-textured hair. Photo courtesy of Christal Seahorn. — Attendees of the Hair Day event discussed the struggles and joys of having afro-textured hair, as well as the products utilized to keep their hair healthy and attractive. Photo courtesy of Christal Seahorn.

“Last year in the middle of the fall semester, which is when BSA first started again, many members and I were talking about how difficult it is to find the right product and how to figure out what scale number we are on for our hair texture,” Moore said. “After spending two hours talking about this, we decided to share with the rest of the group about a hair day event happen for spring 2019.”

Moore noted that Ross was the key creator of the event.

“Julia Ross, my left hand and parliamentarian, actually inspired me,” Moore said. “Many of us, black women of color, go through so much discrimination and hair is one of the many factors that we face every day. Being told that straight hair is the only ‘good hair’ and ‘professional’ has been the story of my life and many others for years.”

Attendees were given print-outs of the best protective hairstyles for black women, charts showing how to determine one’s scale number and texture, chemicals to avoid when looking for products as well as pins saying, “Just Don’t Touch Our Hair,” in reference to the popular song by Solange Knowles.

Towards the end of the event, Moore and Ross presented and talked about the best products to use on one’s hair, and showed some of their own products, as well as other products donated and ordered. Those in attendance were then allowed to take certain products for free.

Ross expressed why such an event like Hair Day needed to happen.

“We wanted to open up a widely universal topic to better educate those with curls/coils and those without,” Ross said. “I believe the ultimate goal was to create a space for Black individuals to discuss a common element of black culture, but to also create a neutral learning space for every curious individual. I would call Hair Day a success because it brought a diverse community together to discuss a common theme.”

Moore explained that one of BSA’s goals with the event was to provide greater knowledge of BSA being back, and showing there is now a safe space for black students on campus.

“My goal for this event was to get the black community involved and let them know we, the Black Student Association, have created a safe space for the black community to feel like they can be themselves without being discriminated against and talk about those difficult and very emotional issues that the society sometimes like to ignore,” Moore said. “This hair day has proven that our hair is still a big issue in society, and those were my main goals.”

The event was well received by those in attendance, with many feeling the event sparked productive discussion.

“The conversations were fruitful from table to table as we conversed,” said Amanda Watts, psychology major. “Not only did each table encourage us to share our thoughts based on experiences [but] Julia and Selena did an impeccable job following up by inviting us to share and engage as a larger group.”

PHOTO: BSA members pose in the well known Wakanda Forever pose in celebration of the turnout for the event. Photo courtesy of Aliya Beavers. — BSA members posed in the ‘Wakanda Forever’ pose from the film “Black Panther” in celebration of the turnout for the event. Photo courtesy of Aliya Beavers.

Moore and Ross both addressed that the event was and is the most successful BSA event since its return last semester. Both also expressed the hope that the event will bring BSA to greater acknowledgment from those on campus.

“The most important thing right now is to show UHCL that BSA is back and active,” Ross said. “BSA is trying to provide that space for all groups to come together and educate one another.”

Ross went on to say that BSA has more events in planning, including fundraisers, bringing speakers to campus as well as a soul food social for all those interested.

“These are ideas we have been workshopping but we will do most of our planning this summer so we can efficiently plan bigger events.” Ross said.

Moore has assured that Hair Day will be an annual event for put on by BSA and will only get bigger and better as years go on.