Celina Caesar-Chavannes, the MP for Whitby, Ontario recently wore her hair in braids during legislative session and used her time to have the floor to address body shaming, in particular hair-shaming of girls of African descent in Canada and around the world.
“This week I have my hair in braids, much like I’ve had for much of my childhood,” she said. “However, Mr. Speaker, it has come to my attention that there are young girls here in Canada and other parts of the world who are removed from school or shamed because of their hairstyle.”‘
She continued:
“Mr. Speaker, body-shaming of any woman in any form from the top of her head to the soles of her feet is wrong,” Caesar-Chavannes told the House.
“Irrespective of her hairstyle, the size of her thighs, the size of her hips, the size of her baby bump, the size of her breasts, or the size of lips, what makes us different makes us unique and beautiful.”
Then, Caesar-Chavannes explained why she would continue to rock her braids for three reasons, the first being “they look pretty dope.”
She also said she was wearing them in solidarity “with young girls and women who look like me, and those who don’t.”
“I want them to know their braids, their dreads, their super curly afro puffs, their weaves, their hijabs, and their headscarves and all other variety of hairstyles belong in schools, in the workplace, in the boardroom, and yes even here on Parliament Hill.”
BRAVO! WATCH!
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