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A History of Hair (Exploring the Body lecture series)

When:
Venue: External

No booking required

The 2014 scandal over Rachel Dolezal’s lying about being of African-American heritage reignited debates about the politics of hair. It has been followed by numerous books with titles such as Don’t Touch My Hair! This lecture explores how hair has been seen as symbolic of empowerment, deviance, and identity. It looks at the role of big business in promoting grooming products (including scalp-damaging chemicals); the hair-grooming regulations of the military; and the political significance of facial hair. 

A History of Hair is the first in a series of lectures on the body given by Professor Joanna Bourke, Professor of History at Birkbeck University of London, and Gresham Professor of Rhetoric.

Attendance is free. No reservations are required. The lecture is run on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. Doors will open 30 minutes before the start of the lecture. More information about the talk can be found here.

You can read more about the series on the Birkbeck website

Barnard's Inn Hall, Gresham College: 

https://www.gresham.ac.uk/about/venues/barnards-inn-hall/

 

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