Hair Discrimination: Challenging Perceptions and Promoting Equality

Introduction

Have you ever been told to go home from work because your hair was unprofessional? In the article New York City bans hair discrimination to fight racism by Rosie Blunt of BBC News speaks about the prejudice and equality occurring in New York City when it comes to how a person of color wears their hair at work, school, or in public and they are told the styles are “unprofessional which has been described as “racial discrimination”.

Hair Discrimination: A Form of Racial Bias

The author begins the article by stating “black people are disproportionately affected by policies banning hairstyles such as afros, cornrows and locs.” (page 1). These rules and policies seem to only apply to certain people. For people of color, the rules apply differently. Afros, cornrows, and locs are a part of the black culture. For many years the black community has kept their hair this way. What are black people to do if this is the only way they've known how to do their hair? In many situations, it is acceptable for someone who isn't of color to have different color highlights and things of those nature but when it comes to someone with natural hair, it becomes a problem or a distraction. This article says a lot about America. The fact that a state must make a law about hair specifically the hair of someone of color is problematic. There have been several times when a woman or male of color has been asked to fix their hair to “fit the part”. It is sickening that someone must alter their hair to please someone else or make someone feel comfortable. For some people, the way they wear their hair is due to their religion. People in higher positions wouldn't ask someone to take off their hijab but it's okay to ask someone to alter their hair because it offends or doesn't look professionally correct.

Societal Norms and Conforming to Beauty Standards

The way society wants women of color to look is by conforming to society's norms. A woman's hair is incorporated with her personality and identity. In the article, someone shares their encounter between her boss and her.” They said: 'Go home, take those braids out of your hair- this is not our look.' But the hairstyle they did want was a straight hair weave, which is not natural. They wanted me to adhere to European standards of beauty,' she said. ( Blunt 1). The way employers tell their employees that their hair doesn't follow their ideal hairstyle and overall look of the company. To tell someone that braids aren't apart of their “look”, but they would rather have them get another hairstyle that is completely different and unnatural. Women are forced to get weaves to look the part. Financially it costs more to get a weave than it is to cater to their natural hair. This falls under discrimination because you are forcing someone to change their physical feature because it doesn't fall in your standards of how someone is supposed to look. If that was the case people who of color; who have curly hair would have to straighten it because it doesn't fit “the look”. If someone is wearing their hair at its natural state and it’s an issue for black women then it should be an issue all the way across the board. Society tries to put a limitation on black women’s beauty. Black women are limited in every aspect of the workplace. If they show too much emotion then they are put into the “black girl with an attitude” stereotype. If she wears her natural hair she's posing as a threat to the company’s face. If companies want to reduce their “hair discrimination” issues. The guidelines should be straight across the board. There should be no wiggle room for anyone.

Equal Treatment and Guidelines for Hair

What stood out to me was when the journalist mentioned “She said the guidelines will help organizations 'understand that black New Yorkers have the right to wear their hair however they choose without fear of stigma or retaliation”. (Blunt 1). It is truly sad that it takes all this just for black women to be able to wear their own skin. Someone's hair shouldn't decide their employment status. The volume of my curls shouldn't define my paycheck or should determine if I'm able to do my job. My knowledge is what should determine if I am competent to do my job. In the black community, this is another limitation that women go through. I could see if someone came in with bright pink afro or braids. I don't understand the issue of having to alter how my hair naturally grows out of my head. This growing epidemic ties into the unspoken hierarchy. Black women are at the bottom of the hierarchy since way back, black women have always been told what to do, what to say, what to wear and how to act. Although these times have changed black women always have to remember that there is someone above them and the hold the power of if you are qualified for the job or not. Hair size and color shouldn't determine someone’s capability or knowledge.

Conclusion

In conclusion, when it comes to a person of color who wears their hair in different styles at work, school, or in public they are told the styles are “unprofessional” they shouldn't have to be treated differently just because they look different, but It is acceptable for someone who isn't of color to have different color highlights and things of those nature. No repercussions are taken, but when it comes to someone with natural hair, it becomes a problem or a distraction. If someone is wearing their hair at its natural state and it’s an issue for black women then it should be an issue all the way across the board. The volume of my curls shouldn't define my paycheck or should determine if I'm able to do my job. People need to understand that someone’s hair isn’t going to keep them from getting the job done they are very capable of working in an office, attending school, and being in the public.

References

1. Blunt, Rosie. “New York City Bans Hair Discrimination to Fight Racism.” BBC News, BBC, 19 Feb. 2019, www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-47296781