People of Galveston

CULTURE CLASH (FEATURE) people of GALVESTON How has your hair impacted your life?

Interviews By Savanah Walser

JACK BASIARDNES (below)

[Hair] hasn’t, I am bald af. [The lack of hair] makes me stand out and a more unique and outgoing person.

CAROL YARBROUGH

(with Grandkids)

(left)

I don’t consider myself a vain person, ya know I’m not into makeup and clothes, all that. I don’t buy name brand stuff. [During chemo therapy] a group of friends went with me to buy a wig so I was prepared, and I really didn’t think it was gonna be a big deal. But it was devastating and that came as a surprise to me because I just don’t consider myself a vain person. [When I lost my hair] I would not let my husband see me without a scarf or a hat. I didn’t like the wig, it was itchy and hot, and so I wound up mostly wearing scarves and hats. It totally shocked me that I just wasn’t prepared for it. [Losing my hair] hit me more than losing my breasts. It’s one of those things you don’t know, and this is where I get mad at people, you don’t know what you’re gonna do until you walk the walk. So, you can’t be so judgemental of people, that’s the lesson it taught me.

ELENA FOULKS (right)

I don’t like body hair because I have to shave it and that’s a hassle, but I like the hair on my head. I have to style it every day and figure out what to do with it, but I also like it. My hair is a staple of my appearance. I guess I can’t tell how it’s affected me because I’ve just grown up with it.

BELLA GAVIN (right)

My hair has affected my life very much. Growing up I was noticed and pointed out in groups because of my red hair. When I was younger I used to be embarrassed about it because I stuck out like a highlighter in a crowd. Now I embrace the uniqueness and beauty of it.

NIA SMALLWOOD (left)

In the early part of my life, I always wore my hair straight or up in a ponytail. My hair has always been very thick and curly, so my mom and I decided that straightening it was the easiest thing for us. I loved having long, thick hair, but I never really thought about it much except for when deciding whether I was going to do a high ponytail or a side ponytail that day. All of that changed after my freshman year of college, when I decided to go natural and wear my hair in its curly state full time. There was a steep learning curve when I began my natural journey, but now after 7 years I have found my groove. I love having a big curly afro, but I have learned that the world does not always agree. My wake up call came one day when I showed up to work with my naturally curly hair out. I had spent hours washing, detangling, braiding, and prepping my hair for its debut, and I was very proud of the result. I showed up to work feeling confident and beautiful, only to have my coworker gesture to my head and ask if I was having a “bad hair day”. That day, I learned that my hair is not just hair. My hair is polarizing, it is political, and it is powerful. Every day, I wake up with the knowledge that someone may discriminate against me because they see my hair as wild or unkempt. These ideas are incorrect and based in ignorance, but they affect me nonetheless. I have to consider what style to wear for work, or job interviews so that I make a good impression while remaining true to who I am. My hair has impacted my life greatly. Some days I still find myself second-guessing whether people are looking at my hair in delight or disgust. I have had to grow a thick skin against comments from others and develop a deep sense of self love that overwhelms any doubts that may arise. If you are able to walk into a space without even considering that your hair won’t be accepted, I hope you recognize that as a privilege and the next time you think “It’s just hair”, consider that for some, it is everything.

We can ReFill, ReValve and ReTest Any of the Above Gas Cylinders

BRINGING TOGETHER ART, AWARENESS, AND ADVOCACY!

Turtles About Town is a community art project that highlights the City of Galveston and the conservation efforts of Turtle Island Restoration Network to protect endangered sea turtles on the upper Texas coast. Turtle lovers of all ages have the opportunity to see 50 colorful Kemp’s ridley sea turtle statues that have been installed around the island since 2018. Businesses, individuals and organizations graciously sponsor the turtle statues while local artists are commissioned to give each one its own personality and meaning.

Download a FREE map and go on a tour at seaturtles.org/turtles. Be sure to tag Turtle Island Restoration Network in your images (@TIRN-Gulf on Facebook and @TIRN.Gulf on Instagram) and tag #TurtlesAboutTown!

seaturtles.org clapcupstudios.com

HOLD ON TO YOUR BUTT!

No, really. Hold onto it.

Cigarette butts can take 25 years to decompose, are 98% plastic, and are toxic to marine life! Please help Galveston Surfrider reduce butt litter on the island, and in the ocean, by disposing of your butts in one of these cans provided by local businesses and individuals. #hotyb

For more info, go to www.Galveston. Surfrider.org To volunteer or sponsor a can, email hotyb@galveston. surfrider.org

By Culture Clash Staff