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Treasure in Year 9 wrote the following speech for World Afro Day. We were so impressed we thought you might like to read it too. Here's what Treasure wrote.

Treasure said: "This speech is a celebration of the beauty and diversity of black hair. It is a symbol of beauty and creativity. Black women should feel proud of their hair. This is a poem about self-acceptance and self-love. "

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The Queen of Pearls, by Treasure, Year 9

The story of black hair is my story. When I die, let me drift like a dandelion of black hair. I hear people say, not all black girls can wear their natural hair. 

But when a black girl says we are wonderfully made, it pains me to know there is still self-hatred in a place we are not ready to admit yet. Hair is one such area of internalised racism.  

I wear my hair fitted like a crown on purpose. It is an unapologetic decision to celebrate our status: We are queens. 

It is time for ideologies to be re-born so we can challenge the concept of beauty on this earth. Our hair lines the kingdoms and queendoms that built empires dressed in rubies and sapphires. We will never need to wear the lies of a western disguise, to be seen as precious ruby in our eyes. Our hair gets praise from people outside our own race, but we still carry its racist rejection.  

You may think you can straighten your hair to fit in. That you can win. But it will on bring a string of self-criticism. Some say, “natural hair doesn’t suit everybody.” That line does not even make sense. How can what is you, not be for you? No other race has had to put their hair through this tireless case that we stillsee ourselves in. We cover our hair with extensions, rejecting it. Not seeing that our hair is an extension of ourselves.  

Madame C J Walker, a black-hair business owner, was the first female millionaire in America. Remember, Madame CJ walker made product to protect the hair of black girls. 

We own that throne! 

You can take back whatever is ours buy holding your head high, showing no humiliation. Afro hair which noother race can reciprocate. When you display your afro hair, no more can they ignore that lioness roar. They will simply adore your crown of beauty. Yet we use our mouths to say not all black girls can wear natural hair. 

She comes in assorted colours. She can be wrapped up in box braids. She can fall down your back like a waterfall. She is like a fortress in time of peace and war. She is ready to twist and turn and stretch herself. She is indeed the Queen of the Pearls. When she speaks, listen. Do not give her the silent treatment, pay close attention and bath her is aloe vera and essential oils. Massage her roots with peppermint, boba or tea tree. Caress her ends with shea-butter and coconut oil. Let water flow and nourish her with conditioner. She is royalty, in no need of validation or direction. She moves as she pleases. She can be thick or thin, long, or short, her beauty is undeniable. Delightful in appearance but the beauty is not pain free. She is unafraid to shine through mirrors, she defies gravity whenever she chooses, unapologetically proclaiming who she is:The Queen of Pearls.

Treasure, Year 9