Charity |
Charity Broussard, 20
Born in Chicago and raised in Flint, Michigan March 3rd 2016 |
Victoria Awkward: When I say the phrase “natural hair” what does it mean to you?
Charity Broussard: My definition of natural hair has changed over time. I used to think that natural hair is curly hair. Now I think that wearing natural hair means wearing your hair just how in it’s natural state, or just not having a perm. I have friends who don’t wear their hair curly but they still identify with the term natural hair.
Charity Broussard: My definition of natural hair has changed over time. I used to think that natural hair is curly hair. Now I think that wearing natural hair means wearing your hair just how in it’s natural state, or just not having a perm. I have friends who don’t wear their hair curly but they still identify with the term natural hair.
VA: Do you notice people of color in the media (TV, movies, commercials)?
CB: I notice the lack of people of color in the media. I used to watch Pantene commercials and I would think could I do that with my hair? Is it going to be voluminous and flowing like that? Then I also notice when there are commercials with people of color because there is such a small amount of them. But these commercials are probably on BET and stuff like that.
VA: How do you feel people of color are represented in the media?
CB: If they depict a black girl she is most likely light skinned with a perfect curl pattern. TV stations only pick a certain type of girl to show. They try to say this is diversity, but they could pick a darker skin tone, and things like that. I also think there are a lot of reality TV shows where black women are shown negatively and acting like they have no sense of self worth and control. There is only one type of person that the media shows, and there isn’t a balance.
CB: I notice the lack of people of color in the media. I used to watch Pantene commercials and I would think could I do that with my hair? Is it going to be voluminous and flowing like that? Then I also notice when there are commercials with people of color because there is such a small amount of them. But these commercials are probably on BET and stuff like that.
VA: How do you feel people of color are represented in the media?
CB: If they depict a black girl she is most likely light skinned with a perfect curl pattern. TV stations only pick a certain type of girl to show. They try to say this is diversity, but they could pick a darker skin tone, and things like that. I also think there are a lot of reality TV shows where black women are shown negatively and acting like they have no sense of self worth and control. There is only one type of person that the media shows, and there isn’t a balance.
VA: How does whitewashing/misrepresentation affect children of color and their perception of their natural features?
CB: Children don’t find themselves attractive in society. Even celebrities like Beyonce and Nicki Minaj try to promote self-love but they still wear wigs, and their faces are lightened in magazines. Nicki Minaj is known as a “Barbie” and she even physically changed her body. It’s like these celebrities are saying one thing and doing another. It’s hard for children, who shouldn’t even be listening to their music, because they pick up on these things. The kids can’t help it, as a child you are supposed to learn from people before you. It is definitely a negative influence on how they see themselves. I mean, your parents can tell you that you are beautiful the way you are. You may feel that your parents say, “you’re beautiful” but you still compare yourself to other girls and think, "I don’t look like them."
CB: Children don’t find themselves attractive in society. Even celebrities like Beyonce and Nicki Minaj try to promote self-love but they still wear wigs, and their faces are lightened in magazines. Nicki Minaj is known as a “Barbie” and she even physically changed her body. It’s like these celebrities are saying one thing and doing another. It’s hard for children, who shouldn’t even be listening to their music, because they pick up on these things. The kids can’t help it, as a child you are supposed to learn from people before you. It is definitely a negative influence on how they see themselves. I mean, your parents can tell you that you are beautiful the way you are. You may feel that your parents say, “you’re beautiful” but you still compare yourself to other girls and think, "I don’t look like them."
VA: Do you feel that the problems people of color face with their hair reflect a bigger issue in society?
CB: I think a lot of problems with race in America reflect off of the conditions of slavery. Some may look at this project and say that people are making a big deal of natural hair, because they do not understand the history behind natural hair. I agree that the natural hair movement has become a big movement, which is interesting, because people were wearing their natural hair before. But now people are accepting natural hair more. The following is for those who do not understand the movement. In America’s history it wasn’t accepted to wear our hair naturally, we had to pull it back and make it look super neat.
Even within our natural hair community I see people struggle to break away from society's expectations. It seems there is a certain curl pattern you have to have. People want a looser curl pattern. To me, if we are talking about natural hair, people should live up to the term natural hair. People try to change what type of natural hair they have, and that defeats the whole purpose. You can just be natural and you can just accept that. That is the whole point of the movement.
CB: I think a lot of problems with race in America reflect off of the conditions of slavery. Some may look at this project and say that people are making a big deal of natural hair, because they do not understand the history behind natural hair. I agree that the natural hair movement has become a big movement, which is interesting, because people were wearing their natural hair before. But now people are accepting natural hair more. The following is for those who do not understand the movement. In America’s history it wasn’t accepted to wear our hair naturally, we had to pull it back and make it look super neat.
Even within our natural hair community I see people struggle to break away from society's expectations. It seems there is a certain curl pattern you have to have. People want a looser curl pattern. To me, if we are talking about natural hair, people should live up to the term natural hair. People try to change what type of natural hair they have, and that defeats the whole purpose. You can just be natural and you can just accept that. That is the whole point of the movement.
VA: If you had to give advice to a young person of color who was struggling with their natural beauty what would it be?
CB: Do you boo. This is your body, so just be yourself. It will take sometime, everyone goes through these years of trying to figure out how they feel in their body, but it all works out. You can dress it up too. Show off those features that others may make fun of or that make you feel uncomfortable, like some people may say, your lips are big, well then, wear lipstick. You may love your lips, and other people are talking about them in a negative way and it makes you feel like there is something wrong with them. But just show it off.
CB: Do you boo. This is your body, so just be yourself. It will take sometime, everyone goes through these years of trying to figure out how they feel in their body, but it all works out. You can dress it up too. Show off those features that others may make fun of or that make you feel uncomfortable, like some people may say, your lips are big, well then, wear lipstick. You may love your lips, and other people are talking about them in a negative way and it makes you feel like there is something wrong with them. But just show it off.
Photographer: Victoria Awkward
Interviewer: Victoria Awkward
Interviewer: Victoria Awkward