“I love my hair because it is thick as forest, soft as cotton candy, and curly as a vine winding upward, reaching the sky and climbing toward outer space.” - I Love My Hair
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enpFde5rgmw
If asked the question, “What makes you special?” young children might provide a range of answers spanning from artistic talents, athletic abilities and super powers all the way to an response as simple as “I love my hair”. Who you are and where you are from can often be defined by unique physical characteristics. For many students today, these differences are seen as things to be embarrassed of rather than proud of. How can parents, educators and the local community encourage their kids to be proud of their appearance and the historical importance it holds?
In the story I Love My Hair by Natasha Anastasia Tarpley, a young girl and her mother navigate popular hairstyles worn by African-American girls. The book begins with the main character, Keyana, describing the the pain she feels while having her hair combed. Many young girls have experienced this hassle and will immediately make a personal connection. Like any loving mother would, Keyana’s tells her of the joy and beauty that can be found in all of the different ways she can style her hair. When Keyana feels ashamed for wearing it afro style to school one day, her teachers are there to reinforce how significant and important that freedom was to her when she was growing up. Good teachers model for their students how and why we are proud of our identity and what freedoms are allowed that can demonstrate to others these beliefs. It is so valuable that young children learn to see themselves in terms of what makes them unique, special, independent etc.
In grades K-2 the North Carolina curriculum standards require students to; (K) understand how individuals are similar and different, (1) understand the diversity of people in the local community and (2) understand how various cultures influence communities. The book, I Love My Hair could be used in all of the above grades to address any of the given standards. Besides addressing standards, it will also provides a culturally rich story that could be both a mirror or window for students understand and connect with the text and each other.
In 2010 Sesame Street debuted a song called “ I love my hair” and the general public responded with praise and appreciation. NPR interviewed the head writer, Joey Mazzarino, in hopes of finding his source of inspiration for this hit song. The article can be found here if you are interested and want to read more. It is crucial that the we all (parents, teachers, community members) take an active role in providing students with opportunities to see themselves in the media, in books and in each other. It is our job as educators to teach students to appreciate their identity while at the same time valuing the unique beauty we all have.
Tarpley, N. A. (1998). I Love My Hair . New York : Little Brown and Company. Print.
Department of Public Instruction , P. S. of N. C. (Ed.). (2010, December 2). North Carolina Essential Standards . Retrieved from http://www.dpi.state.nc.us/docs/acre/standards/new-standards/social-studies/k-2.pdf
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