Texturism: Activism Campaign

Texturism: Our Hair Stories

designed and taught by Melanie K. Wilbourn, IB Studio for Social Justice

Introduction

​Have you ever questioned what your hair says about you?

• ​bias

• ​texture

• ​activism

• ​injustice

• ​protest

• ​boycott

• ​discrimination

​IB Standards

​Part I: Where We Are in Place and Time

​An inquiry into orientation in place and time; personal histories; homes and journeys; the discoveries, explorations and migrations of humankind; the relationships between and the interconnectedness of individuals and civilizations, from local and global perspectives.

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Part II: How We Express Ourselves

​Interdisciplinary Standards

​French

​Writing

​Reading

​Social Studies

​Science

​Music

​Health

​Texturism derives from the word TEXTURE.

​In Art, TEXTURE is the way something feels or the way it looks like it feels.

​For example, we may describe a brick as rough, cotton as soft or silk as smooth. An artist's rendering can also imply how an object feels.

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​​In Social Justice, Texturism fosters the idea that certain types of natural hair patterns are more desirable or beautiful than others. There are many different hair types in the Black community. Black hair comes with curls in different, lengths, shapes, sizes, and textures. Can you think of any words to describe Black hair?

Open Ended

Type a word that describes the texture of Black hair.

https://grammar.yourdictionary.com/word-lists/336-creative-words-to-describe-hair-in-writing.html

Use this link for more decriptive words.

​Let's categorize the list of words that you chose.

Create a list of all words collected and categorize them on lists labeled positive, neutral and negative.

​ POSITIVE                                                      NEUTRAL                                               NEGATIVE

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​Discuss the list and make some inferences about how we feel about our hair.

​Did you know that ...

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Let's take a dive into a few articles as a class.

In your groups, complete an article review for one article.

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​The link to the Article Review Document is in your Google Classroom.

​The CROWN Act

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​Articles about Texturism

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​The Sound of Activism

As a class, create a word bank of adjectives that describe natural hair, power and change.

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Create a slogan for your group. Consider something catchy and add a hashtag. Work together to design 2 posters.

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Choose a song that expresses the energy of your campaign.

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​Record a message on FlipGrid to express your group's mission or purpose. Plan a 2min recording.