On Friday, September 27, two organizations on Longwood’s campus, AFROH (All For Respecting Our Hair) and BSA (Black Student Association) hosted an event titled 'Natural Hair, Weave Panel'.
This event was held at 5 p.m. on Longwood’s campus in Bedford 111, and students were invited to come sit in an interactive environment to talk about wearing your natural hair versus a wig. There was a panel that featured staff members Quincy Goodine and Jonathan Page, as well as students in the organizations that hosted the event.
The panel included both males and females in order to ensure that they were to get both perspectives on the different topics discussed, but those in attendance were encouraged to voice their opinions as well.
There was a broad array of questions asked, but they all stuck to once central theme: black hair. Some of the questions included asking why females change their hair based on how men want them to look and what is good hair.
Jonathan Page, director of multicultural affairs, said on the topic, “I think it boils down to us saying that this is unapologetically me and if you don’t like it, then there’s the door.”
The event lasted around two hours, but attendees were allowed to come and go as they felt necessary. Towards the end it became an open forum for people to discuss issues and concerns that they felt were necessary and wanted to open up about.
The purpose of the panel was to get people talking about the positives and negatives about “black hair”, a topic that is not normally talked about in a public setting.
Andrea Dogbo, a panelist, said that she enjoyed being on the panel and would do it again if the opportunity presented itself.
She said, “I think any form of discussion about possible controversial topics is always good for the community because you get different opinions and you can grow as an individual.”
At this time there is not currently a date set for another panel.
Maya Young shares her story on her decision to go natural.
Director of Multicultural Affairs Jonathan Page discusses the social constructs of questions being debated with the pannel.
