Hair Discrimination has not ended!
What if I told you hair discrimination is still alive and well today?
Many people may feel that we have come a long way with natural hair and we have, but based on a recent study completed in 2019 from DOVE we have some work to do!
Women of color are:
80% more likely to change their natural hair to meet social norms or expectations at work
1.5x more likely to be sent home from work because of their hair
3.5% more likely to be perceived as “unprofessional” because of their hair
According to the study even our children are being effected. In 2021, yes one year ago, it was found that 53% of Black mothers say their daughters have experienced racial discrimination based on hairstyles as early as five years old!
Five years old! The first few years of a child’s life are their formative years. Just image the huge impact this has on a child’s impressionable mind and confidence as they try to navigate through this world. Imagine how this effects their self-esteem especially surrounding the idea of embracing and wearing the hair that naturally grows out of their head. Whay should they feel they need to alter themselves to be accepted and feel beautiful?!
What can we do?! I say be apart of the change we desperately need. Normalize natural hair by embracing your own. Our children are looking up to us for guidance and we are setting the example. Be that example!
Also, if you haven’t done so already please sign the Crown Act. The Crown (Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair) Act is a law that prohibits race-based hair discrimination, which is the denial of employment, educational opportunities because of hair texture or protective hair styles. It is a law that was originally sign in California and since then it has also been passed on 19 other state, but help us make this a national law. It is sad that we even need a law like this, but it is change that we need to move in the right direction especially for our children.
Tell me your thoughts in the comments section below on these recent study and stats. You can view the complete study here.
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