Discrimination based on hair texture

Discrimination based on hair texture is a form of social injustice, found worldwide, that targets black people, specifically black people who have afro-textured hair that's not been chemically straightened. Afro-textured hair has frequently been seen as being unprofessional, unattractive, and unclean.

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History

In the Western world, afro-textured hair has historically been treated with disdain, by members of all ethnicities. In the 15th and 16th centuries, the Atlantic slave trade saw black Africans forcibly transported from Sub-Saharan Africa to North America and, upon their arrival in the New World, their heads would be shaved in effort to not only prevent the spread of lice but to erase their culture, as many Africans used hairstyles to signify their tribal identity, marital status, age, and other personal characteristics.[1] Early on, both men and women would wear headscarves in order to protect their scalps from sunburn and lice but, as time progressed, these hair wraps became more associated with women, who began to wear them in various fashions, based on their region and personal style. In the 19th century, when slaves were no longer being imported from Africa, quality of life increased for them somewhat as they became more valuable in their owners' eyes. Now enjoying Sundays off, black women would take the day to style their hair, uncovering it for church services but keeping it wrapped Monday through Saturday. As traditional styling tools weren't available to them, black women began to use butter, kerosene, and bacon grease and combs meant for livestock to style their hair.

The concept of good hair arose in the time leading up to the abolition of slavery in the United States. Slaves who worked in the home didn't wear headscarves as field laborers did and, as they were often children of a white man in the family that owned them, they were more likely to have straight hair than kinky or curly. To straighten their hair, black women would often use a mixture of lye, which could burn their skin. In New Orleans, Louisiana, in the 18th century, black and Louisiana Creole women were required by law to wear a tignon, to cover their hair, and, in an act of resistance, did so but adorned their wraps with fine fabrics and jewelry.[2]

Madam C. J. Walker, an African American businesswoman, achieved great fortune and recognition for creating a popular relaxer, which would straighten afro-textured hair.[3][4]

Discrimination by country

Australia

In 2017, two 16-year-old sisters, Grace and Tahbisa, originally from South Sudan, were pulled from their classes at Bentleigh Secondary College in Melbourne, Australia and told they had until the end of the school week to remove their braids.[5]

Dominican Republic

In the Dominican Republic hair is seen as an important attribute of physical beauty. Many view straight hair as beautiful and appropriate for a professional setting while also seeing afro-textured hair as inappropriate and distracting. This mindset had stemmed from racial discrimination. This has changed over the years in the United States and abroad as the American Natural Hair Movement gains popularity.

In the Dominican Republic hair straightening is done for the same reasons it is done in the United States and the diaspora for convenience and of course influence from western beauty standards. As Rooks (1996) affirms, “Hair in 1976 spoke to racial identity politics as well as bonding between African American women. Its style could lead to acceptance or rejection from certain groups and social classes, and its styling could provide the possibility of a career” (p. 5-6).[6]

Straightened and more conservative styles are still the standard in the workplace, as it is in the United States and other countries with African descendants of the diaspora. The views expressed aren't exclusive to the Dominican Republic. Contrary to popular misconception many Dominican women do wear natural hair and it is becoming increasingly accepted in society.

Jamaica

In 2018, a 5-year-old girl was banned from attending classes at her primary school in Kingston, Jamaica for having dreadlocks.[7]

United States
This section is an excerpt from Discrimination based on hair texture in the United States[edit]
In the United States, discrimination based on hair texture is a form of social injustice that has been predominantly experienced by African Americans and predates the existence of the country. There is no existing federal law that prohibits this form of discrimination. In the 21st century, multiple states and local governments have passed laws that prohibit such discrimination, California being the first state to do so in 2019 with the Crown Act.

See also

References
  1. "You Can't Take Our Crowns: The Impact Of Slavery On Black Women's Hair | Black Then". blackthen.com. Retrieved 2018-11-29.
  2. "When Black Women Were Required By Law to Cover Their Hair". Broadly. 2018-04-10. Retrieved 2018-11-29.
  3. "Madam C.J. Walker". DEV: National Women's History Museum. Retrieved 2018-11-29.
  4. "History Of Natural Hair". Monday, July 20, 2020
  5. Wahlquist, Calla (2017-03-31). "School will allow black students to keep hair braids after 'ban' furore". the Guardian. Retrieved 2018-11-29.
  6. Thompson, Cheryl (2008–2009). "Black Women and Identity: What's hair got to do with it?". Michigan State University.
  7. Kingston, Kate Chappell in (2018-08-28). "Jamaican schoolgirl banned for her dreadlocks can go to class, court rules". the Guardian. Retrieved 2018-11-29.

Bibliography
  • "Black Women and Identity: What's Hair Got To Do With It?" vol. 22, no. 1, fall 2008–2009
  • "Dreadlock Discrimination: Is There Such A Thing?" AOL Jobs. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Apr. 2013.
  • ""Dreadlock Discrimination" Triggers Lawsuit." Racial Discrimination Based On A Hairstyle? N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Apr. 2013.
  • "For African-American Women, a Hairstyle Can Be a Tricky Decision." SaportaReport. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Apr. 2013.
  • "Good Hair (film)." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 28 Apr. 2013. Web. 30 Apr. 2013.
  • "Willis Mason. History of the American People. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 1922. Print.
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