Postscript description
Growing up in the '60s as a Black face in a white space, Tina Shingler
always knew that her well-being depended on her ability to assimilate. As a
Black Barnardo's child, Tina was 'boarded out' to a white foster family in
rural Yorkshire. Overwhelmed by the complex texture of Black hair, her foster
mother resorted to chopping back Tina's curls as close to her scalp as
possible. Being unceremoniously shorn like a sheep felt like a punishment for
having such troublesome hair.
Today, however, many Black girls are growing up confident in the
knowledge that their naturally kinky hair in all its amazing transmutations is
a powerful expression not only of their identity but also of their individual
style. And despite getting off to a bad start with it, Tina has 'grown into'
her hair and now appreciates and enjoys its incredible versatility. It has
helped her understand herself better, forge her own identity and create a sense
of her own worth better than any self-improvement manual.
An inspirational 'hairmoir', Hair Apparent embraces the
powerful legacy of Afro hair across several countries and seven decades of
social, political and cultural change. Right now, Afro hair is living its best
life, and Tina's manifesto of survival, resilience and identity helps us praise
it like we should.
Read full publisher description always knew that her well-being depended on her ability to assimilate. As a
Black Barnardo's child, Tina was 'boarded out' to a white foster family in
rural Yorkshire. Overwhelmed by the complex texture of Black hair, her foster
mother resorted to chopping back Tina's curls as close to her scalp as
possible. Being unceremoniously shorn like a sheep felt like a punishment for
having such troublesome hair.
Today, however, many Black girls are growing up confident in the
knowledge that their naturally kinky hair in all its amazing transmutations is
a powerful expression not only of their identity but also of their individual
style. And despite getting off to a bad start with it, Tina has 'grown into'
her hair and now appreciates and enjoys its incredible versatility. It has
helped her understand herself better, forge her own identity and create a sense
of her own worth better than any self-improvement manual.
An inspirational 'hairmoir', Hair Apparent embraces the
powerful legacy of Afro hair across several countries and seven decades of
social, political and cultural change. Right now, Afro hair is living its best
life, and Tina's manifesto of survival, resilience and identity helps us praise
it like we should.
