TEXTURED WAVES
It all begins with an idea.
By Chelsea Woody
TEXTURE:
Texture has a multitude of meanings for this community. The layers continue to unravel as our community continues to grow. In the calm depths of the sea everything washes away and we emerge to the surface - our most natural state revealed. Our natural texture embraced, we reclaim our space in aquatic environments. The freedoms that arise from being comfortable with your own skin, body and hair are endless.
The way our natural texture stands high has always been used to impose control over our self expression and in turn our freedom. This dates back as early as the 1700’s with Tignon Laws that forbade Creole women in Louisiana from wearing creative and large hairstyles, instead requiring our hair be covered by a scarf. Of course, we made that fly with the various creative ways to wrap our crown.
Unfortunately these laws had lasting effects in shaping what was deemed “presentable” hair texture for black women at work and in public spaces. Avoiding water to maintain unrealistic styles became the norm. It has been only recently in 2019 that California passed the Crown Act barring discrimination against natural textures/hairstyles at work.
Image by Ryan Szot
The DEPTH of our roots:
For African American women, hair is deeply rooted in our culture. Although it is not the entirety of our existence, it is one enormous piece of our identity and is connected to our experiences in this world and living an aquatic life. Our hair is a form of self expression. In each strand there is history. The different styles we create reveal our stories. Hair care, braiding and protective styles bond us together.
Image by Gabriella Angotti-Jones
WAVES
Surfing is an art, and a form of expression where our stories have yet to be told. Textured Waves intertwines these pieces of ourselves and our passion for the ocean. Just as the conditions of the ocean can change form with a blink of an eye, the hair on our heads make great transformations from style to style and exposure to the elements. Leaving those who observe in awe of the complexity as we defy gravity from our head to our toes.
This is not just about hair or surfing, but redefining how a piece of our culture is integrated into the art form of wave riding that we love.
BIRTH: A Baptism In Sea-Sterhood
It all begins with an idea.
Textured Waves was imagined and brought to life by four African American women. Each of us located in different regions in the U. S., but drawn together by one common vision that focuses on the sea. We are surfers building a community that is supportive, open, inclusive and inspires creativity amongst women of color. In an era of under representation in aquatics, we want to provide positive role models to the future generation of ripping women of color. As African American female surfers, we uphold this stewardship in serious regard because it is an example we were not often afforded. We do not downplay the importance of seeing role models that resemble us.
Our blog highlights current topics of interest, thoughtfully analyzes and addresses issues women of color often encounter in surf and outdoor industries. We hope to be an inspiration and a resource on navigating arenas that historically and currently neglect folks with different skin tones, body shapes and hair textures. The ocean has different textures and currents, its occupants reflect this diversity and should be aptly represented.
We dance on different textures be it concrete, water, or snow. Flow with us as we move through these spaces. We are multidimensional women in a society that has failed to recognize our complexity. Learn, collaborate and celebrate with us, even catch some textured waves with us. Together we can change perceptions of who leads a life at sea. We aim for greater understanding, reflection, sisterly camaraderie and sharing the intoxicating high of wave riding. Slide with us.
Words by Chelsea Woody for the Textured Team,
Chelsea, Danielle, Gigi and Martina