By Jasmine Rojas, Montgomery College, Maryland

“I stand at the center of a world that should be more accepting of ethnic hair.”

I will be speaking about how some hairstyles are consistently seen as inappropriate in work places, specifically African American’s hairstyles. I find this topic important and intriguing because there were times when I wore my hair a certain way or wore a certain garment on my hair and was told it was not allowed. I would like for all hair types to be appreciated. My hair is a part of who I am. My hair is a part of who I am. I, as well as others, should have the rights to wear our natural states of hair within a work place as equality evolves.

MY ETHNIC HAIR

A Poem

I wear my hair up, I wear my hair down

My hair causes no destruction nor makes a sound.

Rather it be a scarf that is simply wrapped around

Or rather it be my knowledgeable curly puff that stands up rather than hanging down.

The texture of my hair should not disrupt any kind of crowd.

Rather it be social

Or rather it be political.

My hair shall not be frowned.

For me and my hair are bound

Standing tall whilst holding my ground.

Searching for acceptance as if I were a lonely hound lost in a cold deserted town .

Hair, the voice of the unspoken, as my waves speak of many volumes inherently even without a sound

For my hair is me and I am my hair.

My hair is my crown.