Dr. Johanna Lukate is an author, researcher and keynote speaker. Trained as a social psychologist at the University of Cambridge, her work explores the intersections of race, identity and embodiment, with a particular focus on Black hair. Her writing and public speaking combine academic excellence with storytelling and invite audiences to confront the everyday politics of appearance and belonging in a deeply divided world.
(Dis)entangled. Why Black Hair Can't Be Just Hair
(Dis)entangled. Why Black Hair Can't Be Just Hair
Even before we get to introduce ourselves by name, our hair has already started to tell stories about who we are, where we are from and where we are at. Our hair is tangled up in the interplay of race, gender, class, nationality, sexuality, power and beauty. It is an avid storyteller and a consummate performer - whether we like it or not. If our hair could talk, what stories would it tell about us?
Dr. Johanna Lukate’s non fiction debute explores the intricate and deeply personal relationship between Black individuals and their hair. Through a collection of diverse hair stories and experiences, the book unpacks the profound significance of hair as a conduit for self-expression, resilience, and collective memory within Black, African, and African diasporic communities around the world. Each hair story offers an intriguing perspective onto Black people’s experiences surrounding hair, shedding light on its intersections with gender, race, identity and beauty.
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