A top Brussels museum will host a film showing that aims to address how something as seemingly innocuous as hairstyle can be potentially discriminatory.
“Heritage” is a film by Blessing Maluba Ngoy that seeks to address the “hair discrimination” suffered by the black community.
It will be shown at the city’s Africa Museum at Tervuren this Saturday(22 February).
The film argues that frizzy hair should instead be promoted as a symbol of identity and cultural wealth.
By interspersing two stories – one modern, the other traditional – the film highlights the impact of the standards imposed since colonization on Afro hair and their symbolic heritage.
This short film, says a spokesman for the museum, invites “collective awareness of persistent stigmas, while celebrating the resilience of Afro-descendants in the face of prejudice.”
“It raises awareness about discrimination, racism, misogynoir, and cultural appropriation, and encourages concrete actions to combat these inequalities.”
Heritage stands out for its immersive storytelling and unique artistic performance, adds the spokesman.
“Blessing Maluba Ngoy uses her art to rehabilitate the dignity of Afro hair and honor an often forgotten heritage. This film is a call for recognition of Afro-descendant heritage.”
Although Heritage is a short film it is also an event mixing artistic performance.
A second short film will also be screened.
“Elikya” by Mesomahu and Amdiata, questions “indifference” to what is currently happening in Congo while trying to highlight “hope and resilience.”
The screening starts at 5pm and is in French.
