How is this a race issue you may ask? Both consciously and unconsciously society has taught us to associate beauty with whiteness, thinness and ableness. I wanted to insert a few facts here to help illustrate the size and scope of the issue. But several hours of research has highlighted that there isn’t sufficient research or time being invested into making Black men, women and children feel beautiful, loved and valued. But here are a few very alarming, and very real headlines for you:
1. A study by the Perception Institute in 2017 found that one in five black women feel social pressure to straighten their hair for work and are much more likely than white women to feel anxiety over the issue
https://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/hair-discrimination-uk-workplace
2. 77% of Nigerian women reported using skin-lightening products regularly
https://www.womenshealthmag.com/uk/beauty/skin/a33469451/skin-lightening/
3. When applying for a job in Harrods a black British woman was told ‘ you can’t work for me unless you have your hair chemically relaxed, because your hair, as is, is not professional enough
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/sexist-workplace-dresscodes-high-heels-row-women-dye-hair-blonde-revealing-outfits-female-employees-offices-a7544736.html
5. A Graduate Had Her Job Offer Revoked Because the Company 'Does Not Accept' Braided Hair
https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/11/26/a-graduate-job-offer-revoked-because-the-company-does-not-accept-braided-hair_n_8654426.html
Ok so there are the facts - but why is this a workplace issue?
It’s a workplace issue because everyone deserves to be able to exist in work in their most comfortable form. We know that we are most productive and innovative when we feel comfortable, accepted and heard. For me that would mean wearing bantu knots or twists – styles that specifically protect natural afro hair. But as ‘unusual’ hairstyles, and ones which yell about my blackness I just don’t feel comfortable rocking them outside the safety of my own home. The fact is, the more I can whitewash my appearance, the easier life is – I can assimilate. I don’t worry about being followed around shops by security guards as much if my hair is straight, because it makes me look ‘less Black’ and therefore unfortunately ‘more trusted’. I don’t worry about getting funny looks in meetings if my hair is straight, because I’ve been taught that straight (white) hair is ‘more professional’. But I do worry about the message I’m sending to young black girls; that the way we exist naturally isn’t good enough and we should aim to embody white, cis, euro-centric beauty standards. A message that is re-enforced by the fact that for these young girls there are no easily accessible black dolls, plasters, make- up, sunscreen. The list goes on and on, but ultimately it is a reminder that society does not value us, does not hear us, does not see us.
During Black History Month 2020 I experienced moments of despair and liberal defeatism when pondering SARS and the state of affairs in my other home country of Nigeria. Coupled with a concentrated sense of community and belonging amongst my colleagues in the newly formed DCWW BAME+ forum. If getting involved isn’t for you, that’s ok – but find other ways to be an active ally – it’s an issue that impacts us all
