Liberty Mills On Hair and Identity: Navigating Fashion, Health and Race
My hair does not define my entire identity. My words and actions define who I am, and my hair is simply a form of expression that I choose to express on any given day.
My hair does not define my entire identity. My words and actions define who I am, and my hair is simply a form of expression that I choose to express on any given day.
I bought into the negative stereotypes about grey hair for years. I subjected my scalp and hair to monthly hair dyes that I didn’t want to do or pay for, for over a decade because I felt the pressure to hide my natural grey hair.
Our hair is more than just strands; it embodies our identity, culture, and even politics. It tells stories that are deeply intertwined with our sense of self and the perceptions we carry, consciously or not, into the world.
Recognising my body as a sacred vessel that carries me through these journeys motivates me to work with my body instead of against it. This practice has helped me appreciate, feed, love, and support my body in the way it asks me to.
My mum taught me to always stay vigilant in understanding when the majority or the ‘trusted voices’ were falling short. She told me to be brave enough to speak power to those who couldn’t always speak so boldly for themselves or were not given the platforms to do so.