Seton Hall’s student population has a wide variety of hair types. Having Appreciation in Realness (H.A.I.R.) is an organization that promotes natural hair care and fosters a community around empowerment through natural hair.
“Whether you have curly hair, kinky hair, straight hair, we just try to target all of those people to have an inclusive environment and so everyone feels safe and comfortable while connecting with like minded individuals,” said Adrianna Clements, junior H.A.I.R. executive board member and public relations major and president of H.A.I.R.
Gabrielle Berry, a freshman enrolled in the physics and mechanical engineering program and H.A.I.R. executive board member, said that H.A.I.R. typically starts their meetings with questions that prompt people to have a discussion about their hair, promoting community through shared experiences revolving around hair.
Berry recounted her own experience of how coming to a H.A.I.R. event inspired her to, start getting involved in the organization and eventually join the executive board.
“It was a hair care night,” Berry said. “They taught us about hair science and learning about hair follicles and different hair types and textures, and we got to use yogurt and stuff like that to make our own hair masks.”
Hair plays a big role in identity and confidence, according to Khyah Craig, who is a junior double major in business management and business marketing and treasurer of H.A.I.R.
“It takes a big toll on my confidence because, oftentimes, if I don’t like my hair, then I’m not as confident as I’d like to be,” Craig said. “But when I do like my hair, I feel so much more confident because hair holds so much of your identity.”
Craig said that appreciating hair and becoming more confident in yourself is about appreciating yourself no matter where you are in your hair journey.
“If your hair’s not up to par, then you don’t feel up to par, so learning how to still love yourself even if you don’t love how your hair looks at the moment is a big part of your confidence,” Craig said.
According to Berry, learning to appreciate your natural hair is something that has to happen within yourself.
“It’s your responsibility to break free from the stigmas,” Berry said. “It also helps to have a diverse community, like H.A.I.R., and how diverse each of our crowns are...it all feels very inclusive.”
The events H.A.I.R. hosts are not only to bring people into the club, Berry said, but to lead people to “appreciate hair a little bit more and also help people start that process.”
To stay up to date with H.A.I.R., Berry said to follow their Instagram, @shu.hair.
Lakyn Austin is a writer for The Setonian’s Campus Life section. She can be reached at lakyn.austin@student.shu.edu.
