Black Natural Hair on Display at SIUE
Black hair can be seen in different ways – as an art form, as self-expression or a political statement – but people were invited to take it all in during a Natural Hair exhibit on Wednesday, Oct. 5 at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Elijah P. Lovejoy Library.
Howard Rambsy, PhD, professor in the Department of English Language and Literature, presented the exhibit for the second year in a row. A total of 10 panels displayed images of various styles of natural hair as worn by African American women and celebrities, photos of natural hair products, and assorted facts and information.
“The natural hair exhibit has been an important way for me to showcase the convergence of style and consciousness among black women. The exhibit also brings together young sisters on campus,” Rambsy said.
Yudella Mosi, a junior majoring in accounting, came to the exhibit wearing her hair in the natural style, twist out. “I got fed up with the stigma that the only way your hair can be beautiful is if it is straight,” Mosi said, who has worn her hair natural since 2012. “I knew there must be beauty in my own natural curl. And I wanted to embrace my heritage.”
Amelia Williams, a junior majoring in biological sciences, has been natural for all of her 20 years. “I remain natural, because I love it, and I love the styles,” Williams said, sporting Bantu knots and an afro puff. “It’s also a part of who I am.”
In observing one of the panels that included a portion of a Sept. 20, 2016 story with the headline: Federal Court Rules It’s Legal Not to Hire Black Woman Applicant Because of Her Locks, she said: “I couldn’t believe it at first. That just seems discriminatory to me.”
Adebanke Adebayo, graduate student with a double major in English language and literature and applied communication studies, has worn her hair natural for a little more than one year.
“My father (Prince Adeyemi Adebayo) feels there is a smartness and beauty in natural hair,” says Adebayo, who is originally from Nigeria. “He also says there is a certain type of courage that comes with wearing natural hair, as well as a certain type of carriage. The carriage has to do with the way you carry yourself when you have natural hair. It is a good way. It is a proud way.”
Photos:
Attending SIUE’s second Natural Hair exhibit was Amelia Williams, a junior majoring in biology.
Taking notes from one of the panels at the Natural Hair exhibit were freshmen Nia Piggott, majoring in computer management, and Marie Bell, majoring in business administration.
