Abstract
This research study explores the natural hair textures of six Black/mixed-race women as a symbol of activism in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), where natural Black hair continues to be discriminated against in public and private spheres. While all six women experienced racism in the GTA, intergenerational knowledge from family played a larger role in shaping their negative perceptions of their own hair, and how members of the dominant group may perceive their hair. Their experiences were assessed alongside their opinions on Canada’s well-known Multiculturalism Act (1982, c.24) which seeks to preserve and enhance multiculturalism. While all six women believe that cultural celebrations (e.g. Caribana, Taste of the Danforth, etc.) are a demonstration of The Act in play, they all find that The Act is ineffective in bridging the gap between ideology and practice, and therefore does not facilitate social inclusion between members of the dominant group and racialized ‘Others’. Key Words: Racism in Toronto; Natural Hair; Activism; Multiculturalism Act; Social Inclusion
Highlights
This research study explores the natural hair textures of six Black/mixed-race women as a symbol of activism in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), where natural Black hair continues to be discriminated against in public and private spheres
My primary research question is: do racist events experienced by Black women with natural hair influence their opinions on the legitimacy of the Multiculturalism Act in Canada, and is their sense of belonging to the GTA affected? The individualistic nature of this research makes this a phenomenological study but given the fact that each participant will have different opinions on racism, their hair as a form of activism, and their sense of belonging to the GTA, more than one conclusion must be considered
She sees racism permeating the city and People of Colour being unfairly targeted by police officers and educational programs for youths of colour “not necessarily being in place or getting funded,” and considers the federal Multiculturalism Act (The Act) to be “a catch.”. Freeing shares this sentiment and explained that she sees, “some individuals, yeah they’re made to feel welcomed and others, no.”. She referred to a particular advertisement for immigration law services that she often sees on public transit that features a White baby and has wondered, “what about varying it, what about putting some diverse babies in the image or something like that, what message is being sent by that law firm about people who are supposedly welcome here?” Based on their collective opinions on The Act, it is clear that all six women who have experienced racism and/or discrimination towards their natural hair do not consider The Act to effectively “build a more integrated and inclusive society,” which would reduce prejudice towards cultural/ethnic markers, such as textured hair and Afrocentric hairstyles worn by Black women
Summary
When people are asked to unpack what it means to be Canadian, the term ‘multicultural’ is often used. Both movements challenge and undermine racism towards Black bodies and encourage Black people to own the space and the skin they are in – to be “unapologetically Black.” While wearing their hair in its natural state is not a necessary component of being “unapologetically Black,” refusing to wear it in unnatural, often harmful Eurocentric styles is, in itself, an important form of activism that challenges stereotypes about Afrocentric hairstyles and can increase tolerance for Blackness in the Toronto GTA. This Major Research Paper will explore instances of racism faced by six Black/mixed-race Black women who live in the Toronto GTA and wear their hair in its natural state. My primary research question is: do racist events experienced by Black women with natural hair influence their opinions on the legitimacy of the Multiculturalism Act in Canada, and is their sense of belonging to the GTA affected? The individualistic nature of this research makes this a phenomenological study but given the fact that each participant will have different opinions on racism, their hair as a form of activism, and their sense of belonging to the GTA, more than one conclusion must be considered
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