World Afro Day: celebrating natural hair and self esteem

September 15 is marked around the world for a special purpose. The day is observed as World Afro Day, dedicated to celebrating the natural hair, distinct culture and self esteem of people of African origin. Answering the question of what defines beauty, the day sends a message to people to proudly embrace their true form and heritage.

It would be wrong to see the Afro hairstyle as merely a fashion or style. In reality, it is a living legacy that speaks of an entire community's history, its struggles and its desire for freedom. In an era where standards of beauty and corporate culture revolve around Western thinking, embracing curly, thick and natural hair is considered a revolutionary act.

The story of Afro hair is not just about beauty, but is deeply linked to racial struggle and human rights movements. For centuries, African and African American people were looked down upon because of the texture of their hair. During the era of slavery, their hair was cut off or they were forced to cover it, as a way of stripping them of their identity.

But during the Black Civil Rights Movement that began in America in the 1960s, the Afro hairstyle became a major political and social symbol of pride and freedom. The slogan "Black is beautiful" drew the attention of the whole world, and African society showed the world its right to live in its true form.

Even today, in the 21st century, various prejudices about Afro hair are seen in schools, colleges, sports fields and corporate offices. Often in schools, the natural hair of African children is seen as a sign of being "untidy" or "indisciplined", while women in companies face indirect pressure to straighten their hair. World Afro Day directly challenges this thinking.

The day was started in 2017 by Michelle De Leon of Britain. When she saw that her eight year old daughter was being made to feel inferior about her natural hair, she laid the foundation of this global campaign. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has also supported the initiative.

On World Afro Day, educational programmes such as the "Big Hair Assembly" are organised in schools around the world. In these, children are taught the importance of their natural hair, so that a sense of self esteem and respect for other cultures can be instilled in them from childhood. Besides this, seminars, discussions and cultural programmes are also held in various institutions, the corporate sector and social groups. The day also places emphasis on framing laws, such as the CROWN Act in America, to prevent discrimination based on hair.

This day is a lesson not just for people of African origin but for all of humanity. Nature has given every person and every race a distinct beauty and quality. Judging someone on the basis of their physical build, skin colour or hair texture is a violation of human rights.

World Afro Day is a reminder that diversity is the real beauty of this world. Every person should love their identity and respect the culture of others. The day has truly become a global symbol of equality, brotherhood and self esteem.