El Museo Del Barrio is a museum in East Harlem. This museum is famous for its ability to bring light, to the almost fading, history of Hispanic culture.
The day I went to the exhibition, I arrived with only minutes to its closing. Hurriedly I checked my bag in and ran to the entrance. The guards within reminded me once again that I only had 15 minutes to go, so I started my search. The search was to find the most relatable piece of art. I soon realized it wasn’t far from my grasp as I turned the corner.
A woman’s face was trapped in a box, while the rest of her (her unruly hair) was out side. Underneath the box was inscribed “Tu Afro No Cabe en la Foto,” which translates to “Your Afro Doesn’t Fit in the Photo.” I quickly recognized this piece to be symbolizing the “hair issue” within the Hispanic culture, where European features are praised for having, but Afro-American features are covered by the swipe of a flat iron. The Afro within this piece represents the resistance, straying away from what is “traditionally” viewed as beautiful and not conforming ones self into societal definition of appropriateness. Her Afro is breaking these boundaries and taking her whole persona.
I found this piece to be relatable because while going through my natural hair journey, I too received unwanted opinions of my new untamed hair. To my surprise someone even told me, “I don’t like your hair like this, you look black.” Despite all of that, I learned how to embrace my hair and myself.
You may be asking your self, “Okay… but how did this event assist you during your first semester at Baruch College?” Don’t worry I’m getting there.
This event assisted me during my first semester at Baruch College, by further showing me that as long as I can embrace myself, the opinions of others shouldn’t matter. Therefore I could be open to my school environment and be unafraid to break social barriers.
Back at it again with doing the assignments in advance