CD

Age: Under 18

Occupation: High School Student

As a high school student at a predominantly white K-12 school, much of CD’s hair journey involves influence from and interaction with other students.

For most of her childhood, she consistently wore her hair in the same bun because she participated in various sports, namely gymnastics. After CD quit gymnastics, she talked to other Black girls about their hair and was inspired to try many different hairstyles, including passion twists, short boxbraids, ombre black-to-orange boxbraids, and clip-in hair extensions. However, she never wears her hair fully out in an afro.

“I think that someone will say something. People could think it looks crazy or messy, so I put it in a bigger hair tie so that it’s bigger than a puff but not an afro,” CD said. “Where we live is very judgmental; [...] sometimes someone says a comment that is hurtful, and I just don’t want to put myself in that position. I do anything to avoid those comments.”

In general, CD struggles with not knowing how to speak up against hurtful racially-charged comments she hears at school or in similar environments. However, she has found more confidence in her voice and her identity by connecting with a different group of friends, a more inclusive community.

“Being around people who make you feel empowered, you don’t have to put yourself in a box for them, you can be your whole self,” CD said. “That helped me have the strength and courage to speak up to others.”

Via hair, CD helps build that community for younger students at her school. She and her classmates (12th grade) lead a Black hair care workshop for the Lower School and Middle School students. They educate about aspects of Black hair care that the children might not know about if they have not been told before. Considering the large number of Black children at her school who do not know how to take care of their own hair, the workshop is helpful in a practical way and empowering.

Moreover, they use the time as an opportunity to make connections, talk about school, and share resources for Black students. They make it clear that they are looking out for the younger Black students. In this way, CD uses hair as a starting point for community-building and solidarity among Black youth.

“We let them know there’s resources here for you and you can always come to use for anything,” CD said.