Asika |
Asika Etuka, 19
Middletown, Connecticut 8 April 2016 |
Victoria Awkward: When I say the phrase “natural hair” what does it mean to you?
Asika Etuka: Hair that grows naturally. It is how comes out naturally I don’t have to do too much to it, I don’t have to put a weave on it, a wig on, or braids in. It’s just twisted out, in a Fro, or naps even.
VA: Has someone said negative/hurtful commentary about your hair either purposely or mistakenly? What were they? Why did they hurt?
AE: Yes! I personally like to have longer hair. That has been frowned upon. My mom always told me to cut my hair. I like to show my curls but my mom calls it nappy and says if you don’t pick your hair you’re not leaving the house, or if you don’t pick your hair, I’m cutting it. So I was never allowed to have it the way I wanted it.
Asika Etuka: Hair that grows naturally. It is how comes out naturally I don’t have to do too much to it, I don’t have to put a weave on it, a wig on, or braids in. It’s just twisted out, in a Fro, or naps even.
VA: Has someone said negative/hurtful commentary about your hair either purposely or mistakenly? What were they? Why did they hurt?
AE: Yes! I personally like to have longer hair. That has been frowned upon. My mom always told me to cut my hair. I like to show my curls but my mom calls it nappy and says if you don’t pick your hair you’re not leaving the house, or if you don’t pick your hair, I’m cutting it. So I was never allowed to have it the way I wanted it.
VA: Is hair important to you?
AE: It is not central to my look or anything but I think it’s a nice compliment. I think it’s important to value, because it is hygiene. But it’s also your genetics and it does show some culture, like the way you style it and what not. So, hair can reflect your culture. |
VA: How often do you see POC with curly hair or locs in the media?
AE: I’d say like 40% of the time you see people of color with curly, loced, up natural hair. Majority of the time it is in a weave or straightened or relaxed.
VA: Does whitewashing/misrepresentation of POC in the media affect children of color and their perception of their natural features?
AE: I think it affects their beauty standards. I think it’s changing today, now there are Barbie’s with different skin colors, body types and hair types. But I think it still lingers, the idea that natural hair isn’t pretty. That it is dirty or unpresentable. Like I can’t go into the workplace with my natural hair or else I’d look unkempt or whatever.
I think children do model off of the media and their parents. Depending on what their upbringing is, the media can be very influential. Because the majority of it is not natural children may be influenced to not be natural.
AE: I’d say like 40% of the time you see people of color with curly, loced, up natural hair. Majority of the time it is in a weave or straightened or relaxed.
VA: Does whitewashing/misrepresentation of POC in the media affect children of color and their perception of their natural features?
AE: I think it affects their beauty standards. I think it’s changing today, now there are Barbie’s with different skin colors, body types and hair types. But I think it still lingers, the idea that natural hair isn’t pretty. That it is dirty or unpresentable. Like I can’t go into the workplace with my natural hair or else I’d look unkempt or whatever.
I think children do model off of the media and their parents. Depending on what their upbringing is, the media can be very influential. Because the majority of it is not natural children may be influenced to not be natural.
VA: If you had to give advice to a young person of color who was struggling with their natural beauty what would it be?
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AE: As long as you’re clean and maintain your hygiene to the T, embrace everything that is natural. You don’t have to change for anyone or anything.
Well maybe to survive, like if you’re parents are strict about your appearance, but when you get your chance to be yourself really embrace that.
VA: Why is important to accept your natural beauty?
AE: It gives you self-confidence to do what you need to do. You don’t have to be the prettiest person. But if you can accept what ever level of beauty that you have and really hold strongly to that and really be comfortable in that, then that enables you to be comfortable in your own skin. That breaks down insecurities. It helps you function more properly in social settings or in a work place. Because you’re not really fixed on how people perceive you but instead how they perceive your job, how they perceive your actions and what you’re doing.
‘
AE: As long as you’re clean and maintain your hygiene to the T, embrace everything that is natural. You don’t have to change for anyone or anything.
Well maybe to survive, like if you’re parents are strict about your appearance, but when you get your chance to be yourself really embrace that.
VA: Why is important to accept your natural beauty?
AE: It gives you self-confidence to do what you need to do. You don’t have to be the prettiest person. But if you can accept what ever level of beauty that you have and really hold strongly to that and really be comfortable in that, then that enables you to be comfortable in your own skin. That breaks down insecurities. It helps you function more properly in social settings or in a work place. Because you’re not really fixed on how people perceive you but instead how they perceive your job, how they perceive your actions and what you’re doing.
Photographer: Victoria Awkward
Interviewer: Victoria Awkward
Interviewer: Victoria Awkward