Can I Touch Your Hair?

 

Can I Touch Your Hair?

I have always been caught in the middle when it came to the subject of touching my hair.

Now, if it’s another natural asking to touch it then I will gracefully bow down and rub my fro in your face, lol.

But, if it is a non natural then it would really be like Russian roulette to ask me such a question. There would be so many factors to consider before answering that question.

·         First, will allowing you to touch my hair ruin anything that my hair is currently doing?

·         Am I sober? (you have better chances if I’m not)

·         Do you look like you will say something that will piss me off?

·         Do I look like a petting zoo?

I mean really, the list can go on for days.

But, recently, one of my natural hair muses, Taren Guy, stood in Union Square with a group of other natural women holding signs that read "You can touch my hair." This campaign was done with the intentions of starting conversations that would allow them to educate others about natural hair, about the concept of good hair vs. bad hair and about the taboo behind a nice big fro.

This campaign was not met without opposition. There was also a group of naturals with signs that read "You cannot touch my hair" and other more colorful statements. These girls argued that it is not our job to educate others about our hair and we should not degrade ourselves to a petting zoo in order to help others understand us.

I can understand why these women feel this way, but how can we promote change without education.

I think this campaign has had a definite effect on the way that I will handle this question when approached in the future. This is not to say that my fro will become open for business, but I will be less discriminating about whom I allow to cop a feel.

What is your opinion? Should we be more open to the afro illiterate?

A Day In The Fro of Michelle Ellechim

A Day in The Fro of Michelle Ellechim

 

On a Purple Fold Down couch across from a homemade art studio and surrounded by several works in progress on her living room wall, I sit with Michelle Ellechim of The Assembly Era. Michelle is a graphic designer who recently dipped into the world of painting. Today we will be discussing how this all became the platform for upcoming Art Exhibit "Giants & Elephants" and of course how her natural hair journey effected this positive movement.

 

Q:  So let's start with the basics, how long have you been natural?

Michelle: I would say about 2 years now.

 

Q: What prompted you to go natural?

Michelle: I was looking for a different style.

 

           (Michelle Ellechim Pre-Natural)

 

 

Q: What method did you use to go natural?

Michelle: I had micros in my hair which I grew out for about 2 months, before that I had not gotten for a month, then I did a big chop after 2 months of growth with the micros.

 

Q: How did people react to you going natural?

Michelle: Weird, like I was getting a heart transplant or something. I cut it off in my grandmother's bathroom so my family was looking at me crazy.

 

Q: Would you say that being natural has changed you in anyway?

Michelle: Yes, I use to be the girl with the expensive weaves so, in a way it liberated me. It enlightened me, felt like I was discovering something new.

 

 







Q: Would you say that being natural has affected your art in anyway?

Michelle: I guess it effected how I see women. When I paint women I include coils and kinks now instead of waves and tresses.

 

Q: What are you most looking forward to for your upcoming show?

Michelle: I am most looking forward to my family finally seeing the bigger picture. So they can finally see that the choices that I made were worth it and that I think I know what I am doing, to see that I am trying.

 

Q: How long have you been painting?

Michelle: It has been about 2 years for painting and I started getting into art around that time too.

 

Q: How long have you been working on the "Giants & Elephants" exhibit?

Michelle: 6 months

 

Q: What is the meaning behind the title "Giants & Elephants"?

Michelle: Well, Giant as in my belief is huge. I chose Elephant because I believe that if I were any animal, it would be an Elephant. I say that because of their respect for life and nature. Elephant's have something that is called a Dharma which is like their master's call. When ever they hear it they drop everything and stop at nothing to reach their goal. I feel like art is my Dharma.

 

Q: What is your favorite piece you have produced for this show?

Michelle: Well, it was my Basquiat before it was stolen from the studio I was working out of.

 

Q: Wow, well what would now be your piece that you are most excited about?

Michelle: You gone have to get back to me. I am not done making pieces yet. I got some stuff you not ready for. I got a lot of different ideas and different mediums that I want to try. I am just proud of it all.

 

Q: Who would you say is your biggest art influence?

Michelle: I don't have one yet. I am still discovering. I don't know a lot of names but I like the Expressionist like Basquiat and the Surrealist like Dali. I haven't had a first love yet.

 

Q: What is your favorite artistic medium to use?

Michelle: Sharpies. I love drawing lines and using Sharpies on anything.

 

Q: And, what is your favorite product to use on your curls?

Michelle: Organix Coconut Milk line and raw Coconut Oil

 

Q: Lastly, what is your signature hairstyle?

Michelle: I don't really have one, I guess my head wraps.

 

 

Come out on March 1st for a one of a kind experience. You can find more information on "Giants & Elephants" on the website listed above or on Facebook. Reserve your spot today!