mILWAUKEE

 
 

SASHA

The North American Registry of Midwives has a history of treating Black and Brown midwifery candidates poorly. For my certifying exam, I wore a shirt that said "Decolonize Midwifery" and my Hoops for strength, but also because they took a photo for your file and I wanted them to remember me. I am the 1st Afro-Latina Certified Professional Midwife in the entire state of Wisconsin. I will do whatever I can to make my care accessible and hold the door open for other student midwives of color to get to where I am.

DESIREE

The hoop represents equality, connectedness, family ties, and for most the never-ending circle of life. Indigenous people use the shape of the hoop/circle as a symbol for our powwows, ceremonies, traditional housing, cycle of the seasons, and the four directions. The hoop earrings signify all those aspects and I feel beautifully connected when I wear my quilled hoop earrings.

bARDERIES

Hoops earrings represent confidence, strength and an overall great sense of fashion. It is a symbol that is recognized globally and never has or never will go out of style. I feel empowered when I wear hoop earrings, it doest matter if i'm going to the grocery store or having a night out, hoops can elevate any look. The best part about hoops is how accessible and versatile they have become. My favorite days are when I get to stop at my local beauty supply store, and pick up a good 6 -10 pairs for a dollar or less (crazy right). There is an ENTIRE aisle dedicated to just hoops, different shapes and colors, prints and textiles a style for any mood.

TRISTAN

Hoops to me mean freedom of expression. It reminds me of how versatile I can truly be. Hoops remind me that it’s okay to be expressive Black girl without judgment. Wearing hoops allows me to feel sexy and cute!

mARIA

I choose to cover because I'm Muslim. No one sees my hoops, but I know they are there. I wear earrings every day. But when I wear my hoops, I feel feminine and fierce. The hoops make me feel Mexican. In my head I'm that calendar girl holding the Mexican flag--boys aren't the only ones with hoop dreams. I'm proud to be a Muslim, proud to be a woman and proud to be Mexican.

ZAKIA

Hoops are power and pure divine expression for me. I wear this spiked hooped in honor of my sister who passed away in 2015. The same year I entered college and went through a total mental breakdown, in my mind, heart, friendships, and even my vision for my life; all were destroyed. I wore the pair of spiked hoops to my first adult artist event; feeling the safety of my sister. She always loved huge jewelry and each time I wear hoops or I paint my nails; I think of her and how I prayed daily for the strength to her get through the years of suicidal depression, sexual trauma, and the transformation of my soul. In turn; I gained sisters from different walks of life. I gained love, empowerment, and joy. These hoops represent to me; how death can transform into life. I wear her jewelry proudly and loudly as her voice was in this life. Hoops are hope, joy, and freedom all in one.

JAZMIN

To me hoop earrings mean that I am enough. For most of my adolescent years I’ve always felt that hoop earrings were rejecting me. Whenever I would hold a pair of hoops up to my ears I would hear them whisper “you're not worthy enough or brave enough to wear us” To be seen with them hanging from my earlobes I was allowing myself to be seen which was something I feared. To me only the brave and fearless girls I surrounded myself with wore big beautiful hoop earrings so why wasn't I enough? As I grew older I started realizing that it was never the hoops that were telling me I wasn't enough it was myself. Now everytime I look in my mirror putting on my hoops I am always reminded that I am enough.

DESTINNY

I wear my hoops to identify as who I am. My melanin and womanhood. Hoops have always been a key component in attitude, character, and style in the black and brown community. I rock them like I rock stages.

Gabriela

Hoops to me are a symbol of powerful Latinx femininity. Ever since I was little I never felt fully Latina. I was raised by a white mom who always encouraged me to speak Spanish and learn more about my culture. We moved to Mexico when I was seven and I went a bilingual school where it became apparent very quickly that I was an outcast. I was bullied for being "gringa" and felt as though I didn't have any true identity. It wasn't until we moved back home to Chicago that I started to really appreciate my heritage. I went to school in Pilsen, a predominately Latinx community, and I wasn't as much of an outcast, we were all Chicanos. I was allowed to discover and embrace this new part of my identity. Hoops to me are a symbol of powerful Latinx femininity. Ever since I was little I never felt fully Latina. I was raised by a white mom who always encouraged me to speak Spanish and learn more about my culture. We moved to Mexico when I was seven and I went a bilingual school where it became apparent very quickly that I was an outcast. I was bullied for being "gringa" and felt as though I didn't have any true identity. It wasn't until we moved back home to Chicago that I started to really appreciate my heritage. I went to school in Pilsen, a predominately Latinx community, and I wasn't as much of an outcast, we were all Chicanos. I was allowed to discover and embrace this new part of my identity. As I have gotten older I have gained so much pride and confidence in my Latina identity. I use accessories to express myself and my femininity. There is nothing I love more than incorporating Latinx cultural symbols into my wardrobe. I feel like a badass every single time I put on my hoops, they are like a suit of armor.

kylah

For me, hoops embody confidence, culture, and versatility. We have the ability to choose a pair of hoops to go with each and every outfit that will accessorize both our mood and our outfits. Memory: Culturally, I’ve always seen both women and young girls rockin’ hoops of various shapes and sizes. You could see the way a little girls face would light up with her first pair of mini hoops. I’d like to believe the same is still true when women get a new pair of hoops.

bridget

Hoops to me represent not only tradition but also having your ears pierced. My grandmother was able to pierce my ears when I was days old and my mother was able to pierce my daughters ears when they were days old. Now having our ears pierced we are able to share our culture through our earrings. Hoops give us beauty and pride.

symphony

My ears are gauged, sized 00. Even with that I have found a way to continue rocking my Hoops. Hoops remind me of my mama and every Black woman before her- they were the only earring she wore. It reminds me of style and rebellion. They are a symbol of my Blackness. Every opportunity I get I’m sure to rock my hoops, in all varied designs, to keep a piece of my mama with me.

mimi

Hoops have always represented a way for me to carry my ancestors with me; To feel fully proud of my brown skin & the culture that comes with it. I think hoops make whoever is wearing them look and feel majestic. There’s something extra beautiful about seeing a person of color in hoops, it’s an unapologetic way of saying “I am present. See me. This is who I am.

krystal

Hoop earrings to me means self-expression and versatility. Hoops can be the perfect adornment to any outfit-dressy, casual, sporty. To me are representative of Hip Hop, Black and Brown cultures, my neighborhood beauty supply store where they had all styles of hoops, but also the classiness of my mom. Honestly, when I wear all of my different styles of hoops, I always feel hella dope.

zulymar

When I put my hoops on, I am taken over with confidence. Nothing and no one can stop me from going after everything I want. I raise my head high and I never look back. They make me unstoppable.

B-FREE

Hoops have always served as a symbol of beauty, confidence, & cultural representation for me. I can even trace their presence in my life as far back as age 2 when I sported a tiny gold pair for a photoshoot with my baby sister. I've had a variety of sizes since then - one pair was even big enough to fit my arm through lol But one thing that's always remained true is their ability to shift my energy when I have them on - & how naked I feel when I don't. My hoops are an attitude, an ego-boost, a security blanket, a reflection of my personality & my joy.

WHITNEY

Hoops have always been a symbol of pride and a form of connection in our community. For years I've struggled with my identity, a place between two worlds, and avoided simple things like this. It took me a long time to recognize that accessories can be utilized as powerful tools of self expression and I've learned these aretes represent comfort with oneself, boldness and fire.

LASHAWNDRA

I see hoops as a part of my culture as a B-Girl, and a Black Woman, and as an artist. I love unique and statement earrings, and a big hoop matches my big personality. I especially appreciate a good "door knocker", and any jewelry with crystals and energetic stones that increase my focus, impact and positive energy. I would have to say my first pair of "door knockers in middle school was an important moment for me. A little Black teen rocking the same earrings as Salt n Peppa at the middle school dance? It created a young legend. It was not even a surprise when I started rappin, singin, dancin and being a well rounded B-girl. It was evident with the earring game I secured from Capitol Court. They even had my nickname customized from my young B-Girl crew. Yeah, them hoops meant something to me. They were an expression of my culture. And I'm proud to be a grown B-Girl still reppin a sick hoop.

ROCKY

Hoop earrings are a declaration. To me, they make me feel at home. I grew up watching my older sisters getting ready to go to a night out while bumping freestyle music and one two-stepping rocking their hoop earrings while lining their lips with black liner and red lipstick. I would watch them as a simple pair of hoop earrings and an updo hairstyle skyrocketed their confidence level. I used to think, I can't wait until I can wear a pair of hoops! As a female rap artist, I always made it a point to try and display my feminism and culture through apparel while performing or in photoshoots and videos. Last summer, I wore a pair of hoop earrings in a music video where we had all Mexican themed colors and low riders and bikes. Nicole Acosta actually featured dancing in this video wearing a pair of hoop earrings too!

SHAVONDA

Hoops to me are the exclamation point on Black Girl Magic! I feel connected to other Black girls when someone walks into a room and I hear "okay hoops" When I swing my head back and forth and feel my hoops brush against my neck I know I am cute, I am seen and I am powerful. I hope that is what all Black girls feel when wearing hoops.

RAQUEL

I came from a family full of love, understanding, and acceptance. I have a huge heart & try to do the most I can for others. My hoops represent my love and courage. Growing up my mom had a huge selection of earrings for me to chose from- and nothing was off limits. My hoops connect me to the community that loves me, protects me, and stands by me. I love my hispanic roots. We are confident, strong, and powerful. Nobody can break us.

NAILAH

I feel connected to my culture when I wear hoops because I always saw my Black womxn and girls rockin em growing up. They are so versatile and go with my outfits on the days I feel like dressing femme and the days I feel like dressing more androgynous. Hoops make me feel soft and simple when I'm wearing my minis and loud and proud when I wear my giant hoops to make a statement. I feel myself in my hoop earrings.

TAMMY

Hoops to me mean Boricua, sexy, Latina, the best gift you can give a little girl you love, I feel hoops is the true meaning of being Latina. I remember my mother gifted me all of my hoops through out the years, I remember my cousins and friends wearing hoops with their moños and for me the higher the moño the better especially with the big hoops. We would put a bandana on our moño just to make it higher right at the top of our head, two curls down the middle of our foreheads or a bang laaawd and don’t forget the hoops! Those were the days! When I wear my hoops I feel sexy, confident, I feel in control, complete! It does not matter what I am wearing, hoops go with everything, let me walk out the door with out my hoops... NEVER! The hoops I always have on were my mothers, these I will treasure for ever. My mom never took them off, even when she passed she had these on. They are not the big size I love to wear but they mean a big peace of my life that I miss everyday. They hold so many memories, us growing up, her on stage, watching her as we drove anywhere, speaking with her and just watching them shine and move to the rhythm of our conversation. Every time I see my self with them on I think of my mom and that fills me I know she is always with me. It’s beautiful what a piece of metal can mean to so many of us, how many memories, stories, and love they keep.

AJA

The first pair of hoops I purchased for myself was from this beauty supply store near Ralph H. Metcalfe School in 2005. I never would’ve thought that those hoops would symbolize my strength, my freedom and my initiation into this “unofficial black girl magic club.” A club in which I would be prone to repeat the habits and behaviors ingrained into my DNA. A club in which I would work tirelessly with my mind, body, and spirit to break the habits of 7 generations who came before me so that the 7 generations who will soon come through my womb be a manifestation of my magic.

SHANNON

En mi infancia I wore a pair of tiny gold hoops that I wasn’t allowed to exchange until I entered high school. My wrists had outgrown my escalava de oro and the earrings were the lasting jewelry of my childhood. In my new autonomy I dabbled with studs, discouraged of hoops by my mother who thought they were “muy de señorita” (indecent). At seventeen I would reclaim their bold patterns, chunkiness, and loud association, exclusively wearing them through my adolescence, then professional and thotty environments alike. Hoops are wealth, authority, cultura, y sensualidad.

EVA

My hoops are MY hoops - they’re simple and fly. All shapes and sizes have a place. I never politicized them. White people and buttholes alike took care of that. Deeming it ghetto and ratchet until the K club donned them with their “boxer braids”.

KAT

Hoop earrings mean creativity and expression to me. They lift your head up and make you feel proud. This is one of the reasons I started making jewelry and especially hoop earrings in collaboration with my brother. The creativity that you can create with hoop earrings is limitless and when I wear them I can harness that expression. My first set of hoop earrings were given to me by my Abuelita. She had come back from a visit to Mexico and brought back small delicate gold hoop earrings for me. I cherished them because of how beautiful they were but mostly for their sentimental value. When I wear hoop earrings now, I think of her and the memories we were able to share.

PRINCESS

For most of my life I wouldn't wear hoops because I didn't feel like they were for me. But NOW I wear them them all of the time. They just make me feel poppin. I just think that hoops make every outfit look good. They just dress up the worst of day. So I love them.

RAVEN

Hoops are power. They can change your whole attitude in seconds. The bigger the hoop, the higher you hold your head up. In the moment, I may feel like trash, but as soon I put my hoops in I’m telling the world I am strong, I am confident and I am enough. My mom had my ears pierced when I was nine months old. My first pair of gold hoops. She wanted to give me the world and this was the first step. They were the first things that were really mine and I treasured them. I felt special whenever I wore them. I had them until I was about 8 years old and remember the day the latch broke, my first heartbreak.

m. cREE

I usually wear dainty jewelry but when I want to make white people uncomfortable I wear my hoops and my hair out. As I've gotten older it's gotten more and more fun to do that.

AMANDA

For me, wearing hoops has always been about taking pride in myself and my latina heritage. I grew up for many years of my life in environments where I was the minority, even though my physical appearance is somewhat ambiguous. Hoops signify strength and pride and I love to keep those reminders on me as much as possible. So I hope that when others see me stylin in my hoops, they recognize that I am strong and proud of everything that I am.

bRIDGET

Story Unavailable

ERICA

Story Unavailable

JASMINE

Story Unavailable

KAREN

Story Unavailable

Janessa

Story Unavailable

Sarah

Story Unavailable

Denisse

Story Unavailable