The Black Communities Conference (2019), #BlackCom2019, is one of the largest gatherings centered around Black communities (panel discussions, local visits, film screenings, workshops, speeches… and much more).
The idea is to foster collaboration between Black communities and universities in order to strengthen the understanding of Black communities.
As part of my presentation,
I highlighted some initiatives led by young Haitians in affirming their identity as part of the Black community.
I chose to present NoFi – Noirs et Fiers, Non à la Dépigmentation, and BeUTifi.
NoFi, for the fight it is leading against the phenomenon of skin bleaching, and BeUTifi, for encouraging the embrace of Afro-textured hair.
For me, these initiatives represent movements with anti-colonial and anti-racist dimensions. They are ways for young Haitians to echo the famous phrase: “Black is Beautiful.”
These kinds of initiatives involve valuing not only the color of Black skin, but also all Black physical characteristics.
I know these young people are not the first to take such initiatives, and I also know that Haiti is not the only place where such movements are happening. But I believe it is important to applaud these kinds of efforts wherever they occur.
No one, of any color, should ever suffer discrimination based on skin tone—or any basis at all.
Yet too often, people resort to skin bleaching or hair straightening, just to conform to the “white beauty” model being sold to us.
Lunie Jules
