TY  - GEN
N2  - Hair is important in the lives of most people, and it is especially valuable in the lives of Black people. Hair experiences have a much deeper meaning and are rooted in the Black experience. Many Black people have experienced hair discrimination in the workplace. So much so, that in recent years, measures have been taken to eradicate these discriminative practices. To date, many states within the United States have yet to pass legislative laws banning natural hair discrimination in workplace settings. 
More recently, natural hair has gained a lot of attention in educational settings. In fact, students have been punished and/or disallowed to participate in educational and extracurricular activities alongside their peers due to their natural hair choices and the established social norms, which are indicative of both the past and the present experience of people of African descent. It is crucial that during these K-2 primary years, Black and Black Mixed-Race children be exposed to literature that celebrates their own features, but it is up to educators to meet their cultural needs. This research study examined educators’ perceptions surrounding the implementation of Black and Black Mixed-Race culturally affirming natural hair literature in K-2 public classroom settings. The findings of this research study validate the need for more resources, training, and other supportive measures for educators to ensure that the cultural identities and assets of students are reflected in the selection of curriculum resources and/or instructional materials.
AB  - Hair is important in the lives of most people, and it is especially valuable in the lives of Black people. Hair experiences have a much deeper meaning and are rooted in the Black experience. Many Black people have experienced hair discrimination in the workplace. So much so, that in recent years, measures have been taken to eradicate these discriminative practices. To date, many states within the United States have yet to pass legislative laws banning natural hair discrimination in workplace settings. 
More recently, natural hair has gained a lot of attention in educational settings. In fact, students have been punished and/or disallowed to participate in educational and extracurricular activities alongside their peers due to their natural hair choices and the established social norms, which are indicative of both the past and the present experience of people of African descent. It is crucial that during these K-2 primary years, Black and Black Mixed-Race children be exposed to literature that celebrates their own features, but it is up to educators to meet their cultural needs. This research study examined educators’ perceptions surrounding the implementation of Black and Black Mixed-Race culturally affirming natural hair literature in K-2 public classroom settings. The findings of this research study validate the need for more resources, training, and other supportive measures for educators to ensure that the cultural identities and assets of students are reflected in the selection of curriculum resources and/or instructional materials.
AD  - University of Southern Indiana
T1  - My Hair is Lit: Teachers’ Perceptions on Integrating Children’s Literature Focused on Black and Black Mixed-Race Hair in K-2 Classrooms
ED  - Willis, Clarissa
ED  - Beach, Bonnie
ED  - Harrington-Chate, Xavia
DA  - 2022-05
AU  - Calhoun, Shayla
L1  - https://library.usi.edu/record/1416878/files/Shayla%20Calhoun%20Final%20Dissertation%20Submission.pdf
PY  - 2022-05
ID  - 1416878
L4  - https://library.usi.edu/record/1416878/files/Shayla%20Calhoun%20Final%20Dissertation%20Submission.pdf
KW  - natural hair
KW  - Black
KW  - Black mixed-race
KW  - culturally responsive
TI  - My Hair is Lit: Teachers’ Perceptions on Integrating Children’s Literature Focused on Black and Black Mixed-Race Hair in K-2 Classrooms
Y1  - 2022-05
L2  - https://library.usi.edu/record/1416878/files/Shayla%20Calhoun%20Final%20Dissertation%20Submission.pdf
LK  - https://library.usi.edu/record/1416878/files/Shayla%20Calhoun%20Final%20Dissertation%20Submission.pdf
UR  - https://library.usi.edu/record/1416878/files/Shayla%20Calhoun%20Final%20Dissertation%20Submission.pdf
ER  -