Art to Challenge Oppression and Open Minds | Da'Shaunae Marisa

What happens when people are taught not to fully be themselves?In this episode of Is There More?, I sit down with artist and filmmaker Da'Shaunae to talk about her documentary-in-progress, Does My Hair Offend? — a project exploring Black women, hair, self-expression, oppression, racism, professionalism, and safety.But this conversation goes deeper than hair.We talk about what happens when people learn to shrink, shape, or hide parts of themselves just to survive. We explore the power of art, film, and storytelling to interrupt oppressive systems, open people’s minds, and create real change.Da'Shaunae shares the heart behind her documentary, how her mother’s experience shaped her perspective, and why this project is about more than appearance— it’s about identity, truth, self-expression, and freedom.If you’ve ever felt the tension between **who you are and who the world seems to want you to be, this episode is for you. And if you’ve ever wanted to better understand how bias, prejudice, and systemic oppression affect everyday life, this conversation may open something in you too.In this episode, we discuss:- Da'Shaunae’s documentary Does My Hair Offend?- Black women and hair discrimination- The politics of professionalism and appearance- Oppression, racism, and self-expression- How trauma and systems shape identity- The power of storytelling to create change- Art as a tool for truth, healing, and cultural transformationFollow for more conversations at the intersection of creativity, mental health, identity, healing, and transformation.