Before the Thanksgiving Holiday begins, I wrote one more piece, published by Huffington Post, about Predominantly White Institutions, within the context of current Black student protests on college/university campuses. You will find it here http://www.huffingtonpost.com/patti-r-rose/the-real-game-changer-for_b_8612606.html and it is entitled:
"The Real Game Changer for PWI's: Racially Diversifying Boards of Trustees and Administration"
I discuss naturalistas in this article. Here is a brief quote from it:
"To make matters worse, the day-to-day experience may be disheartening for black faculty at PWI's. As an example, I have actually served as a faculty member at a PWI in which black faculty members, mainly women, felt that they could not wear their hair in natural styles because white colleagues/administrators might find it offensive/unprofessional. I mention this because I have a natural hair blog entitled Natural is Cool Enough (N.I.C.E.)--http://naturaliscoolenough.blogspot.com/. This blog led to formulation of a campus group, which advocated student empowerment and comfort in knowing that Natural IS Cool Enough on campus or anywhere. Black faculty members would also attend N.I.C.E. meetings, which were essentially support group sessions, and lament about their feelings of disempowerment on campus regarding their hair. It was as much of a problem for black faculty as it was for black students!"
Naturalistas, although our hair is a key focus of on this blog, as part of our discussion, we must also raise our voices and spread the word about other issues, with our hair in context. I remain strong in my conviction, ass always, that Natural IS Cool Enough, on college/university campuses too--as Board members, Administrators, Staff and students. Always!
