From Shug's Hair Austin
As people go out
to look for work, social services, go to school, and to get to know
their surroundings, they want to look and feel as best as they can. Short-
and long-term hair care and grooming needs are an issue that must be
addressed as soon as cities open their doors to Katrina survivors. In
some cities opening their doors to Katrina survivors, most of the
survivors coming in are Black. This presents a need that must be
addressed immediately.
The City's efforts are to be commended. For example, they built temporary showers within a day. Calls
for licensed barbers and hairstylists had already been issued and the
City provided supplies for hair styling services would be provided as
of Sept 5, 2005 in the Convention Center.
Background on Austin efforts
Katrina
survivors began arriving in Austin, TX before the Red Cross-run shelter
at the dowtown City of Austin Convention Center opened up for @5,000
Superdrome evacuees and the survivors who were here before. All
survivors, whether they're staying at the Convention Center or not,
must go through intake with the Red Cross at the Convention Center if
they want to receive donations, social services, and other resources.
Men,
women and children that escaped Katrina by coming to Austin and the
Superdome evacuees are now settling in, not only at the Convention
Center but throughout Austin and outlying areas. Area families and organizations are adopting survivors or in some way providing donations, housing, and other resources. Some
folks have been living in hotels, and with families; even a summer camp
outside of Austin opened its doors. Some are being placed in
communities that have few, if any Black people.
Who focus Black hair care products?
At the Austin Convention Center, as
soon as people started coming in, they asked volunteers for products
specific to Black hair and other grooming needs (as well as underwear,
and other personal items). Some
of the clothing and basics like toothbrush, toothpaste and so on were
in plentiful supply. Austin has been donating generously. The need in the shower area was immediate and urgent--"The people need Black hair care products down here!"
Very soon it also became clear that volunteers familiar with Black hair care and other products are a must
in these situations. There are differences in the way Black hair is
styled v. other groups. There is shorthand among Black people which
means there is no doubt what one is referring to when asking for
certain products. At one point, for example, clueless volunteers
distributed shaving gel instead of styling gel to women asking simply
for "gel." The volunteer didn't think to ask for clarification nor to
fully read the label.
Because of access to water while in the shower area, it was logical that these products would be distributed in that area.Volunteers
had to quickly set up, distribute, and ensure that the products were
distributed fairly to as many people as people as possible. Items in
large containers were dished out in cups, instead of given away on a
first-come, first-serve basis. This pointed to the need for small or travel-size items.
Two
Black women volunteering 14-hour days set up the supplies and prevented
mass confusion in the shower area. Perms, hair grease and styling gel,
combs and brushes for Black hair, detanglers and other items were
"gold." The first products were bought at one of the local grocery
stores by a white friend of the volunteers. She ran to her nearby store
and bought everything she could think of, including razorless shaving
supplies because she knew that Black men tend to have problems with
ingrown facial hair.
The two volunteers
set up the supplies and prevented mass confusion in the shower are.
Perms, hair grease and styling gel, combs and brushes for Black hair
were "gold." People gratefully accepted the rationed supplies, even
those spooned into little cups when supplies ran low. Within hours, as
soon as people who'd lived in some of the most startling conditions
we've ever witnessed, started looking and feeling better--so much so,
they were dancing--within less than 24 hours of being in the Convention
Center!
Why couldn't they use what they were being given?
This
may come as an eye-opener to some but, Black people have different hair
care needs. Similarly, other ethnic groups, US-born or immigrant, also
use products that may not be the same brands mainstream, white America
uses. Then, there are more specific preferences such as organic,
herbal, and products for hair-types such as extensions, gray hair,
dreadlocks, thick or thinning hair, for example. The
supplies gathered by the Red Cross and other agencies do not generally
include ethnic hair care products other than those generally used by or
familiar to white people. Under the circumstances, these items are at a
premium and will be at Katrina shelters and service providers.
The
survivors are coming in in horrible physical condition. Some people are
still receiving initial medical care so they arrive at the shelter at
all hours of the day. They need to get cleaned up and need appropriate
supplies.
At
the Austin Convention Center, when the first hair services were
provided, perms weren't included (and may not be at all). Customers
have to come with their hair washed ahead of time. At the salon, the lines were long, and many didn't even know it was available.
A lot of people don't need or want the salon services provided there;
they can do their own grooming or family and friends do hair for each
other.
But,
whether styled at a salon or not, Black hair needs to be maintained,
maybe blow dried, or otherwise cared for on an ongoing basis to prevent
hair damage. Men,
women and children in Austin and outlying areas need Black hair care
products, and other items preferred by Black people, now and over the
next months until they have the resources to provide for themselves. In
addition, for large families, and peoole on fixed incomes, these items
can be expensive so donations would help offset the cost of using
vouchers or limited funds that could be used for more expensive needs.
Suggestions
In communities where Katrina survivors will be housed, plan for providing these products.
Regional
distributors, grocery store chains, and other retailers that provide
these products should be encouraged to donate generously.
Black media should issue calls for such items.
The
need for Black hair care products must be addressed consistently, not
just in case of emergencies; not just for Katrina survivors, but for
all homeless, poor, low-income, and the other-wise sheltered.
Organizations that are drop off points should accept and store these items and make sure they get to the people that need them
The survivors should get the word that they're avaible.
Hair
care professionals should take a lead in making sure that these
resources are avaible in the areas they're needed, conveniently located
in the easy access by the people that need them but where they can also
be distributed fairly.
If you don't know what to get
These
items may be purchased at most grocery stores (most have a "Black" hair
section). Staff should be able to help if you're unsure. Any and all
brands would be appreciated to meet personal preferences.
Find
out if places like Sally's Beauty Supplies, the various 99 cent stores
will donate or discount--any of the items in those sections will be
useful.
Look for names like "Dark and Lovely," "Just for Me,"
“Ultra Sheen," "Pink Lotion Conditioner," and “Motion.” Please also
include cocoa butter, coconut oil products.
A more detailed list follows in the next post.
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