During the last year, Hamilton’s hair owner, Lohifa Pogoson Acker, has noticed that less black and others with textured hair have been in style, while some visit the room less frequently.
“I am seeing people that I know have always had a pristine appearance, stretching their hairstyles for more months than they should only because of the affordability, due to the sacrifices they have to do,” said Pogoson Acker to CBC Hamilton.
Pogoson Acker said he has had similar comments from dozens of stylists, barbers and other commercial operators throughout Hamilton.
Believing that the hairstyle is important for well -being, especially for young people, Pogoson Acker has organized a March 15 event in which more than 40 stylists and barbers in Hamilton will offer a free style and cuts to racialized young people.
“I know many people, by virtue of where the economy is … the increase in the cost of living, interest rates: many factors have contributed to many families have to make decisions about spending, what to keep in their budget lines and what to take off. “
Pogoson Acker recalled that the hairstyle was declared a non-essential service during COVID-19 in 2020, leaving many people to discover their own ways of dealing with their hair.
With today’s high cost of living, many people think twice before paying hair care, “because people are more concerned, as they should, to put a roof on their heads than how Come and how they appear. ” ”
Writing hair is ‘a different person’
But Pogoson Acker also said that many young people give importance to their hair regularly, since it is good for their mental health and well -being.
“It is very, very important, especially in the textured hair community, especially in the black and racialized community, because hair is a large part of identity,” he said.
“I know, especially young people when their hair is ready, they are a different person: they take to the streets with all kinds of pride. And it also goes in the opposite way. When their hair is not done … they sentence so safe, no They present themselves so safe.
“And that is a marker of progress and possibilities for young blacks: how do you show up? And I really want to see a community where blacks are hugging who they are,” said Pogoson Acker.
The cost of living, including the price of energy, food and other goods, has been heavy in Canadians for some time. According to the latest statistics, inflation increased 1.9 percent in January.
For Hamilton’s mother, Debbie Johnson, dealing with the cost of living has meant making less trips to her 10 -year -old daughter Harper’s stylist to fix her textured hair.
Like anyone with curly and textured hair knows, knots can be incredible.-Debbie Johnson, Harper’s mother, 10 years old,
“Last summer, when I started going to his summer camps and everything, I took some scissors in his hair,” Johnson told CBC Hamilton. “Having curly hair, it’s a bit more indulgent … I know how to cut a little from the end, get rid of some dead ends. We did that and increased their trust.”
Johnson is white and Harper’s father, who died in 2021, was black.
“I had never dealt with textured hair before, so everything was a learning trip for me,” said Johnson.
She said she has resorted to videos, forums and people of color with textured hair for suggestions on how to better treat her daughter’s locks.
“Like anyone with curly and textured hair knows, knots can be incredible,” said Johnson.
When Harper was five years old, said Johnson, he took her to a stylist for the first time. While making the appointment, he said, they told her that she would cost around $ 60. She ended up paying more than double that amount.
“Many places have prices for children, but for some reason, if their hair is longer, thicker or thicker, that completely changes things,” said Johnson, adding the amount of time he had taken to the stylist to Wasing and combing Harper’s hair was why the price doubled.
“Having a child with curly hair like Harper’s is something for which we have to plan. So, maybe twice a year, we will enter, or three times a year. However, it could often be, I can kind of budget and plan for that, “said Johnson.
“I find that the price has increased, as with everything, only the cost not only of hair care, but in all areas, everything in all areas has just risen so astronomically.”
Excel style is more than just hair
Pogoson Acker said she is grateful to the dozens of stylists and barbers who will offer their services at least to Excel with style next month. The event will take place at the Bernie Custis high school, in front of Tim Hortons Field, from 10 am to 6 pm et.
“They are so friendly, so conscious and so sacrificial to take a Saturday, which is a Saturday of high income due to the race back to school for those who can afford to combs comb,” said Pogoson Acker through tears .
“Then, on Saturday, March 15, it would be on Saturday, before the children return to school on Monday. Any owner of the living room, barber or stylist will tell him that this is the day they earn their greatest money when it comes to to return.
“To abandon the potential to win on a high, high and high -income day to leave and style for children who need for free, it really melts my heart, and I am very grateful that we have found 40 of them that are willing To do that for this purpose. “
Pogoson Acker said several other organizations, including the Ontario Youth Learning Program and the Caribbean Afro -Association Association, will be in the event with programming for young people and encourage youth participation.
To obtain more stories about the experiences of black Canadians, from anti-negral racism to success stories within the black community, visit Be black in CanadaA CBC project that black Canadians can be proud. You can read more stories here.
