Hair Relations

HAIR RELATIONS

By

Lauren Kirkman

 

“All lives matter black, white, Hispanic, other, and incarcerated.”

In all practicality I am a 32 year old black woman with a life sentence and consecutive 30 years.  I’ve been incarcerated since I was 18 and have been growing my locks for 9 of the 15 years.  There is only one product sold on the commissary for women of color’s hair (blue magic) which is not the best one.  So it was logical for me to “lock” my hair up to manage it.

There are many like me, I speak on behalf of all.  There’s a story, journey behind one’s hair.

In an emotional and spiritual aspect, I grow my hair as a tribute to my deceased mother.  I made a vow to never cut it off.  It’s my identity, connected to my soul, a part of my roots as an ethnic woman, WHO I AM!

I am my hair, to remove it from my person is to remove a piece of myself from myself and make me less than whole.

It’s not drama, it’s facts.  Look at how many people use their hair as therapy, expression, to signify.  They use the shorning of hair to shame.

Is this the true direction of change?

The world is fighting about so much already.  Russia, Ukraine, unnecessary bloodletting.

Why add one’s hair, heritage and harmony to the mix?

BTW whatever happened to Americans’ rights to freedom of expression?

This will cause so many setbacks, so much negativity, resentment, and hostility because one ethnic group is affected more by this issue than any other.  Any ground gained will be lost.  How can you truly invoke an environmental change, when gauntlets such as TDCJ’s/Hilltop/Mt. View grooming standards policy are cast?

Anyone’s hair, their crown is a source of dignity or disgrace, honor or shame, pride or prejudice.  It is an identity, a distinguishing mark.  To have it taken away is to strip someone of who they are.  It’s to disgrace, discriminate, shame.  Biblically and historically your hair is your strength, power and confidence within ourselves to thrive in the world, in life because we are incarcerated.

This is an appeal to your compassion, please do not dehumanize and undignify us

Allow me the opportunity to explain the “lock” (commonly called dreadlock).  I say lock because dreadlock can be considered a derogatory term.  It isn’t a fad or extreme.  It’s a cultural and spiritual journey.  Starting them you go through the ugliest of stages, initially you can’t wash your hair for months, it looks unkempt, hard for any woman.  Then your hair begins to “lock up” it’s literally stuck together.  The main way to remove them it should be a choice.  The only way is to shave them.

You get so attached to your hair.  As is almost anyone, male or female, what goes on with your hair affects you mind, such as premature baldness, alopecia or a receding hairline?  All have a negative impact on your state of mind and confidence level, just like beautiful hair or a nice cut boost the confidence.  Point is, it’s not just hair, it’s definition.  Part of your soul, heritage, roots.  Who you are.