Sadly, there are plenty of current examples of kids and adults alike being discriminated against for their hair. Luckily, there are also a lot of wonderful texts out there that celebrate hair of all kinds in all of its glory. Check out the resources below!
NOTE: If you are unfamiliar with the connection between hair and racism, I encourage you to research before constructing a unit or microunit around this topic. Links to sources for this research are included below. These might also serve as good nonfiction texts for older students.
Further Note: While there are certainly many stories you can find about hair, I specifically selected these texts to celebrate and uplift nonwhite students and their hair.
Do Your Research!
Hair Discrimination is Intertwined with Racism
The Decriminalization of Black Hair
I Couldn't Embrace My Natural Hair Until I Unlearned Internalized Racism
The Significance of Hair in Native American Culture
The Traumatic Legacy of Indian Boarding Schools
Black Hair Myths
It's Time We Talked About the Term 'Pelo Malo'
The History of Dreadlocks
Students and Hair: The Freedom to Choose
How Thoughtless Dress Codes Can Harm Students From Day One
Poetry
"Refugio's Hair" by Alberto Ríos
"Hair" by Orlando Ricardo Menes
"Combing" by Gladys Cardiff
"Hair" by Elizabeth Acevedo
"Hair" by Cecelia Rose Lapointe
"Four Poems About Black Hair, Resistance, and Love" by Lamont Lilly
Nonfiction and Current Events
Responsibility for hair discrimination in schools falls on federal government
When Black Hair Violates the Dress Code
Black Michigan Girl Denied School Picture Gets Special Photo Shoot
Student Suspended Because of Locs (and a follow up: Teen Invited to Oscars)
Fiction
Hair Love (Picture book and Oscar-winning short film--I highly recommend both!)
"Stars in Her Hair"
Don't Touch My Hair by Sharee Miller (picture book)
Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut by Derrick Barnes and Gordon C. James (picture book)
I Am Enough by Grace Byers and Keturah A. Bobo (picture book)
Storytelling
The Moth Presents: Alfonso Lacayo--The Bad Haircut
The Moth Presents: Aleathia Brown--He Was Dating My Hair
Nonfiction
TED.com--A Celebration of Natural Hair
Collections and Other Suggestions
NCTE Build Your Stack: Affirming the Diversity of Black Hair
NOTE: If you are unfamiliar with the connection between hair and racism, I encourage you to research before constructing a unit or microunit around this topic. Links to sources for this research are included below. These might also serve as good nonfiction texts for older students.
Further Note: While there are certainly many stories you can find about hair, I specifically selected these texts to celebrate and uplift nonwhite students and their hair.
Do Your Research!
Hair Discrimination is Intertwined with Racism
The Decriminalization of Black Hair
I Couldn't Embrace My Natural Hair Until I Unlearned Internalized Racism
The Significance of Hair in Native American Culture
The Traumatic Legacy of Indian Boarding Schools
Black Hair Myths
It's Time We Talked About the Term 'Pelo Malo'
The History of Dreadlocks
Students and Hair: The Freedom to Choose
How Thoughtless Dress Codes Can Harm Students From Day One
Poetry
"Refugio's Hair" by Alberto Ríos
"Hair" by Orlando Ricardo Menes
"Combing" by Gladys Cardiff
"Hair" by Elizabeth Acevedo
"Hair" by Cecelia Rose Lapointe
"Four Poems About Black Hair, Resistance, and Love" by Lamont Lilly
Nonfiction and Current Events
Responsibility for hair discrimination in schools falls on federal government
When Black Hair Violates the Dress Code
Black Michigan Girl Denied School Picture Gets Special Photo Shoot
Student Suspended Because of Locs (and a follow up: Teen Invited to Oscars)
Fiction
Hair Love (Picture book and Oscar-winning short film--I highly recommend both!)
"Stars in Her Hair"
Don't Touch My Hair by Sharee Miller (picture book)
Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut by Derrick Barnes and Gordon C. James (picture book)
I Am Enough by Grace Byers and Keturah A. Bobo (picture book)
Storytelling
The Moth Presents: Alfonso Lacayo--The Bad Haircut
The Moth Presents: Aleathia Brown--He Was Dating My Hair
Nonfiction
TED.com--A Celebration of Natural Hair
Collections and Other Suggestions
NCTE Build Your Stack: Affirming the Diversity of Black Hair