BLACK HAIR-ITAGE

Our hair has been politicized as one of the main factors used to determine our right to belong during the colonial and post era through such discriminating procedures like the pencil and comb test. So, it only fits that we do what we know best, rise above the discrimination, celebrate our nappy curls and make them the centre of our narratives. This journey aims to ensure just representation and development  for people of African Descent, by spreading the love of our Black Hair-itage through different annual projects.

Every year we will align our theme with the Black History Month, starting with the Black History Week in the United States, and ending in October, the Black History Month in the United Kingdom. We will then celebrate Black culture showing the different facets of Black people in public spaces. By owning our narrative, we can represent ourselves and present our culture and traditions, which have been systematically erased from or depicted in the most derogative, stereotypical form in Switzerland’s history.

Similar to Black History Month 2021, our current project is based on the theme Black Families: representation, identity, and diversity». To celebrate Black Families, we decide to celebrate Black Love from a Black woman’s perspective. We combine it with the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the women’s federal right to vote in Switzerland. In the true tradition of our third cultures as Diasporians, we are reviving and enhancing our oral tradition by combining it with the digital age to pass on and preserve our culture. Our story collection will include myths and legends from the African Descent community and some of the Grimm brother fairy tales, retold  from our Diasporic perception to include us. Let us create tales we can use to teach our children. Tales they can relate to, identify with and get inspired from.