Enlarge (From left) Jodi Turner, Trisha LeAnn, Melanie Rodriguez, Katie Poff and Melissa Harris.

Posted: March 26th, 2011 Lashawnda Becoats

On Wednesday, March 23, approximately 25 people gathered at UNC Charlotte's Student Union to talk about hair.

"Let’s Talk About It: I Am Not My Hair” was part of a series for students designed to discuss how different ethnicities deal with their hair. Hosted by slam poet and UNCC student Melissa Harris, the event featured panelists from different ethnic backgrounds: Jodi Turner and Katie Poff from UNCC's staff; students Melanie Rodriguez and Der Vang; and community member Trisha LeAnn.

The panelists talked about the challenges they’ve had with their hair, self-esteem and how misconceptions about their hair can affect how others view them. And that's really what the event was about -- not hairstyles alone but how they contribute to others' preconceptions about us and our preconceptions about each other. It was meant as a way to chip at those preconceptions.

Turner, who is African-American, remembered how seeing hair commercials affected her while growing up. Products that promoted blondes as having more fun made her feel self-conscious about her kinky textured hair because it implied that her hair needed to look that way for her to be accepted. She said after trying many different styles over the years that she feels good now about the way she wears her natural hair.

There were many questions about how the panelists maintained their hair. More sensitive topics about discrimination because of hairstyle choice opened up opportunities for many to have meaningful dialogue and become aware of something new.

“There are different ways to talk about diversity and learn,” said Regena Brown, Assistant Director for Multicultural Student Organizations at UNCC. “Hair is something we all have some connection to. Talking about it allows people to look at more than just the sum of our parts and to look at our identity as a whole, and hair ties that together.”

One audience member asked the panelists how she should wear her hair to an upcoming interview. She was concerned that if she wore her hair in an Afro, she might not be considered for the job.

Vang, who is Asian, admitted that ever since she cut her long hair, she has wanted to grow her “pretty” hair out again. In Asian culture, cutting your hair short is frowned upon.

Panelists and audience members shared humorous stories, too.

One audience member admitted she once lost her clip-on ponytail at a public event. Another’s hair was mistakenly cut by a sibling. Still another once made an excuse for not going on a date because her hair wasn’t done.

As the panelists and audience members continued to share stories, it became obvious that the talk provided a safe space for people of different ethnicities to communicate and bridge cultural gaps.

“It was important for me to learn that I am not alone,” said UNCC student Sharissa Bridges. “It was nice to hear from people of different races.”

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