We shouldn’t have to organize events or gatherings to find acceptance. Black women and men shouldn’t be penalized either. White women aren’t punished or marginalized because of how they wear their hair. If you don't get the confirmation within 10 minutes, please check your spam folder. Click the link to confirm your subscription and begin receiving our newsletters. Carter, an assistant dean of equity outreach initiatives at Michigan State University, said to NPR, “What does a headdress have to do with learning and success?”įor your security, we've sent a confirmation email to the address you entered. Research shows that policing young black girls - and their hair- can have detrimental consequences and reinforce negative stereotypes. A month later, 17-year-old Jenesis Johnson alleged that a school administrator told her that she couldn’t wear her hair in an afro in school because it was “extreme and faddish and out of control.” Last year, a school in Kentucky attempted to ban dreadlocks, cornrows and twists - but eventually reversed course after many called the policy racist.
#AROUND BLACKS NEVER RELAX CODE#
The school banned extensions, calling the hairstyle “distracting.” The school later suspended its dress code after charges of discrimination, according to NPR. In April of this year, administrators at a high school in Massachusetts reprimanded and threatened to suspend 16-year-old twin sisters Mya and Deanna Cook for having braided hair extensions. The regulations even described these styles “unkempt” and “matted.” After months of backlash and a letter from the Congressional Black Caucus, then-Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel reviewed and subsequently rolled back the policy. Army issued a new policy that banned traditional black hairstyles, including cornrows, twists and dreadlocks.
In fact, embracing natural hair can lead some women and men to lose their jobs or face punishment at school. Maxine Waters of California criticized President Donald Trump’s policies, former Fox News host Bill O’Reilly said that he wasn’t listening to her because he was instead “looking at the James Brown wig.” Even football player Colin Kaepernick, who refused to stand for the national anthem before games to protest the oppression of people of color in the United States, faced criticism for his afro: fellow player Michael Vick said last month that Kaepernick “cut his hair” and “try to be presentable” if he wants to get signed with another NFL squad.īut the hatred of black hair goes beyond ignorant comments. In 2015, Fashion Police host Giuliana Rancic said that the dreadlocks Zendaya rocked at the Oscars must have smelled of “patchouli” and “weed.” Earlier this year, when Democrat Rep. There’s no disputing the fact that disdain for black hair persists today. Walker, the first black female millionaire, made her fortune selling products meant to straighten black hair as a way to help black women get ahead in society by fitting in aesthetically. After the emancipation of slavery, many black Americans sought to straighten their hair to fit in. In the 18th Century, British colonists deemed African hair as closer to sheep wool than human hair, setting the precedent that white hair is preferable - or “good,” a racially charged notion in and of itself.
#AROUND BLACKS NEVER RELAX SKIN#
As long as black women have existed in America, we have been put down for our skin color, our bodies and our natural hair.
0 kommentar(er)
