How Our Hair Story Connects Hair and Identity through Online Stories
At the end of this spring semester, my roommates and I were eating dinner when the topic of hair came up. I discussed how, being biracial, my hair and I had a complicated relationship. My hair was constant identifier of my identity and often a source of confusion. Upon hearing this, my roommate’s eyes lit up, as she was also biracial, with the light color of her hair making her feel somewhat distant from her Chinese side of the family. My other roommate quickly chimed in, telling us of how, when she was younger, she had shaved her head and her classmates suddenly regarded her as if she was a different person. Once we had finished voicing our stories, I realized how, despite our contrasting identities, hair was a significant factor in how we viewed ourselves and the world we navigate. This is why I created Our Hair Story—an online archive where women and nonbinary folk can share their stories of how their hair and identity are interlocked (pun intended).
On this website, people can select from a variety of publicly submitted stories, reading about how hair has shaped or affected the lives of diverse people groups. The collection is still new, so new submissions are highly encouraged (500-800 words and a photo). And if a person feels uncomfortable publicly announcing their identity, anonymous submissions are also possible and encouraged! As time passes, I’m hoping that the website will continue to grow and provide a communal space for people to discuss and connect through their experiences: be it through discussions of white beauty standard, gender dysphoria, trauma, celebration, cultural disconnection (and connection), etc. How we treat and view our hair varies from person to person, and I’m excited to see the stories that come from each one.
As it stands, two stories have been posted, both from women with different but equally powerful examinations of their hair. In one piece, Ithaca College rising senior Amy Thomas discusses her fear of the inevitable graying of her often-praised locks, writing:
“I want to say my gray will be my power. That my hair will be an old, regal woman, who forces the world to see just how much life she has carried on her shoulders. I remind myself daily that old hair and old skin and an old body is a celebration of the fact you’ve lived long enough to have these things. Living long is beautiful. Why shouldn’t we celebrate living long?”
In another post, Guneet Singh, a rising junior at Stony Brook University, explains how a long-lived disorder manifested most visibly through the most treasured aspect of her appearance—her hair. Yet, in the end, she finds strength in this part of her as well, stating: “The hair that has dealt with me at my worst has grown more vibrant and resilient than ever. Determination flows through its roots.”
With more stories expected on the way, Our Hair Story is slowly but surely growing. Hopefully, soon the website will amass a large, tangled, vibrant community, all proudly relaying their experiences. Perhaps your story is next!
For more info, please visit:
