Hair, Culture and Identity Session to Explore Long History of Oppression

The power and significance of hair in Black and Indigenous cultures and how it has been used throughout history and contemporary times to oppress and dehumanize will be the focus of one event during Taking a Stand – Disrupting Black and Indigenous Racism Week, (Feb. 1 -5).

The idea for the Hair, Culture and Identity session, one of 20 taking place during the week, is the brainchild of Sacha Leduc, a leader on the College’s Inclusion and Diversity Circle which organized the week, and an Online Student Pathway Advisor for AC Online and part-time professor in the Social Service Worker program.

With a comprehensive history of activism, dating back to organizing Black History Month assemblies when she attended Glebe Collegiate, Leduc acknowledges some things are in a better place than they were even in the ‘90s, but there is still much work to be done.

“Back then, people were saying the slurs, making the jokes. It was in your face. Now you see more of the micro-aggressions, and one of those for me is people touching my hair,” said Leduc, adding that within the community, unwanted hair-touching is a common theme and one of many micro-aggressions that must finally be erased.

“People have dehumanized us and because our hair is different, they think they can touch us, and say, ‘Oh, your hair is so soft, it’s so curly.’ Imagine if I was a white woman with blonde hair, would you feel okay running your fingers through my hair? The answers I get back are, ‘No, that’s so creepy. That’s sexual harassment.’”

The session will be moderated by Leduc and will feature speakers including Makeda Cosper, Director of Strategy and Development of Impact Black Global, an organization that aims to connect Black youth to the people and resources around them by using social media and community platforms. She will be joined by Elaine Kicknosway, a Cree Elder and Knowledge Keeper with hair teachings, and her son Theland Kicknosway an activist, role model, and educator.

In crafting the idea for the session, Leduc said her goal was to reclaim the power of hair and what that means.

“When Indigenous children came to the Residential Schools, they had their hair cut off. When Africans were enslaved, their heads were shaved. In both cases that was a violation of their culture and their identity,” she said, adding the session will also explore the natural hairstyle movement, and the backlash against dreadlocks, afros, cornrows and braids not being seen as ‘professional’ styles in the white mainstream.

How to Register

Algonquin College students and employees will receive an email in January with links to register for the events. You can also email diversity@algonquincollege.com to receive an events calendar with registration links, in case you would like to highlight this calendar (or any particular events) to your learners, coworkers, staff, faculty, or grads.

Please use your Algonquin College email @algonquincollege.com or algonquinlive.com when registering for events.