The “Natural Form of the Head” is Not an Afro?
The ban of swimming caps for afro hair is being reconsidered after a strong backlash. Black swimmers, athletes and people around the world are extremely disappointed by this news. There are already several barriers for Black athletes, and this has not made things easier.
Fina (Fédération Internationale De Natation) is responsible for aquatic events including swimming and diving, and they are part of the Olympic programme. They rejected the application by Soul Cap to authorise their hats for international competitions.
Two-time Olympic swimmer and gold-medalist Cullen Jones. Peter Sesay | The African
Soul Cap released a statement thanking people for the support they received after their application to Fina was rejected. Michael Chapman and Toks Ahmed-Salawudeen, the founders of Soul Cap, aim to ensure swimmers with afro hair don’t let their hair be a barrier for their decision to take up swimming.
Many people with afro hair, locks and braids grow up not participating or even learning how to swim due to the lack of appropriate swimwear for their type of hair. Voluminous afro hair is naturally drier than other hair types and the bleach in swimming pools damages it easily.
Diversity in several sports, including swimming, is already lacking. It is an expensive sport meaning racial segregation and discrimination in the United States, the United Kingdom and South Africa.
Black girls quit swimming over their hair. Of all the reasons to quit a sport, it should absolutely not be because there are no good solutions to deal with Black hair. Struggling with the size of a swim cap is something that could be easily fixed.
This news is disappointing, but not surprising. The wording being “natural form of the head” is problematic and expresses ignorance. Why is white hair the “natural form?” Defining certain things by whiteness, excluding others is unacceptable and further divides people in sports.
There is diversity in competitive swimmers but this application rejection fails to acknowledge this diversity. A rise in swimmers from minority backgrounds has been a great step this year regarding the swimmers qualifying for the Olympics. This is important for younger athletes, who have the chance to see themselves being represented at such a prestigious international event.
For the younger generation, news like this can discourage the pursuit of sports at a professional level, as it seems not everyone is included equally. There should not be any sport that is seen as “not a black person’s sport.” It further enhances stereotypes that are rooted in racism.
“Black people can’t swim” is a stereotype that is racist and that we must get rid of. A major reason for black children not participating in swimming is due to hair care. Soul Cap aims to get rid of the hair care barrier, therefore it is frustrating to see their products not be approved for the Olympics.
More consideration needs to be taken in the future, and to recognise that there are different requirements for non-white athletes. A product designed for afro hair not following “the natural form of the head” are words that one would hope would never come up again in the future regarding swimming, sports, and anything for that matter.
