Why I Wear My Head Coverings: A Story of Pride, Resistance, and Authenticity

As the Denver School Board Vice President, I want to share with you a story about why I have consistently worn a head covering, specifically a backwards cap and durag, in public. When I was a child, I was bullied for not having a haircut. I was embarrassed to show my head in public without a proper haircut, but the truth was that I was not in a financial position to afford haircuts. Unfortunately, those financial hardships have followed me into adulthood.

Growing up, I always felt self-conscious about my appearance, especially my hair. I remember feeling like an outcast because I couldn’t afford to get my hair cut as frequently as my peers. This made me feel inferior and like I didn’t fit in. As a result, I turned to wearing head coverings as a way to feel more comfortable and confident in my own skin.

But wearing head coverings, especially as a Black man, comes with its own set of challenges. In our society, there is a certain standard of perfection that is expected of Black men, especially those in positions of leadership like myself. We are often judged and scrutinized for every decision we make, from the way we dress to the way we speak. Wearing head coverings, which are often associated with Black culture and hip hop, can be seen as a deviation from this standard of perfection.

As a result, I have been called names like “thug” and bullied by adults twice my age about my decision to wear head coverings. It’s frustrating and hurtful to be judged and discriminated against based on something as simple as what I choose to do with my own body.

However, I refuse to let these negative experiences define me or make me feel ashamed of who I am. Instead, I have chosen to embrace my head coverings as a symbol of resistance to those who seek to conform me into someone that I am not. I wear them with pride, as a way of showing up as my authentic self and standing up for what I believe in.

In 2020, the Crown Act passed, which prohibits discrimination based on hairstyles and head coverings that are commonly associated with race. This is a step in the right direction, but there is still work to be done to combat discrimination and promote inclusivity.

As the Denver School Board Vice President, I am not only a leader in the community but also a role model to the students of Denver Public Schools. I take this responsibility seriously and strive to be a positive influence in their lives. I hope that by sharing my story, I can inspire others to be proud of who they are and to show up as their authentic selves, regardless of what others may think or say. We should all be able to express ourselves freely and without fear of discrimination or judgment. It’s time for us to celebrate diversity and accept each other for who we are.

Over the years, I have become more comfortable in my own skin and in who I am. While I still enjoy wearing head coverings as a symbol of resistance and pride, I am also starting to feel more comfortable showing my head more frequently. I believe that it’s important for me to be comfortable in my own skin the way God made me and to embrace all aspects of my identity.

I hope that by showing my head more, I can inspire the students of Denver Public Schools to do the same. I want them to know that it’s okay to be themselves, to embrace their unique identities, and to feel confident in who they are. I want them to feel empowered to stand up for what they believe in, and to resist any attempts to conform them into someone that they are not.

I am committed to being a role model to the students of Denver Public Schools and to leading by example. I believe that by showing up as my authentic self, I can inspire them to do the same and to be proud of who they are.

Auon’tai M. Anderson, Vice President of the Denver Schoool Board