Graphic Novels & Social Justice | Final Projects
My Glory, My Covering, My Crown
Project
My name is Aliyáh and I am 17 years old. From my dad’s side I am an ancestral Native Crucian U.S. Virgin Islander from St. Croix, and from my mom’s side I am Grenadian and Bajan. I’m a 12th grader who loves Yeshua (Jesus) and my relationship with Him.
I’ve lived in four countries: St. Croix (5 years), Dominican Republic (8 years), Tanzania (almost 4½ years), and now Ghana. I speak English and Spanish and I am 4'11".
I am passionate about my relationship with Yeshua, traveling, music, natural beauty, and so much more.
My Glory, My Covering, My Crown is a realistic fiction graphic novel that explores racism, colorism, and prejudice through the lens of natural hair.
It follows an 18-year-old Crucian girl who moves to Texas after high school. Four months into her office job, she begins experiencing racism—especially toward her natural hair.
She internalizes the negativity, straightens her hair, and struggles with her identity until she remembers she is fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14) and recalls the truth of 1 Corinthians 11:15.
I wrote this story to expose the harsh racism and prejudice that society holds toward the beautiful kinky-curly hair of Black people and people of color.
For decades, society has pushed the lie that our hair is ugly, messy, unprofessional, or too hard to maintain. Many have been pressured into harmful chemicals, perms, wigs, and straightening.
This graphic novel aims to:
• Reveal the racism surrounding natural hair
• Celebrate the beauty and strength of kinky-curly textures
• Encourage people of African descent to love and embrace their
beautiful, natural, versatile hair