Exploring the rich history and cultural significance of black hair and how we can diminish afro hair discrimination
What is Afro hair discrimination?
For centuries, Black people have been subject to a widespread of racism, abuse and prejudice based of just simply existing. Especially in relation to their physical appearance, their hair included. Black hair is beautiful and holds so much history however, some view it differently.
Black hair in it's natural state is seen as undesirable, unprofessional and unkempt which leads majority of black people having to conform to Eurocentric standards of beauty. Which consists of relaxing their curls, straightening their hair or concealing their natural hair.
In the UK, there are still outdated policies in place to stop people with Afro hair from being accepted certain work opportunities as a way of oppressing them further. In just April 2023, A job applicant Jerelle Jules had gotten to the final stage of working at the Ritz only to be turned away due to a grooming policy which placed him at a disadvantage.
This is a direct link to institutional racism and prevented him from that employment opportunity.
In the UK, A school girl, Ruby Williams was also placed at a disadvantage due to her hair. Ruby was faced with teachers claiming her hair to be distracting and with one teacher even urging her to place chemical relaxer into her hair. The school insisted that Ruby's Afro hair was breaching their current dress code and as a result Ruby was facing suspensions. As a result the the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) thankfully put in place a direct guidance that does not leave Afro haired students at a great disadvantage.
Unfortunately, when Black people do not conform to these beauty standards it often results in a denial of job opportunities or an order to wear their hair in a way that is deemed as more socially acceptable. Black people facing hair discrimination till this day is an exact consequence of systematic racism. However people within the afro hair community face hair policing from not only other races, but their own too. This is a direct result of tribal differences and the various approach black people have regarding their hair. Many black men and women have great difficulty in wearing and expressing their natural hair in public due to comments said about their hair or them simply not feeling as though their hair is presentable enough. These feelings can too come from their family members and they have internalized this hate for their hair.
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