For many years society has seen natural hair as an unprofessional hair style but in today’s workplace were seeing a shift in for the better. There are many organizations promoting natural hair and even laws in states like California and New York being passed to protect the wear of cultural hairstyles such as dreads and natural hair.
History:Why it’s more than hair
To understand what’s going on now we must take a look at the future.
Going back to the 60s there was a woman named Beverly Jenkins was denied a job from blue cross blue shield because they felt she could never represent them while wearing an Afro.
Sounds a little familiar today doesn’t it?
So… in 1976 she went to court with Blue cross and it was determined that Afros were protected under the title VII of the civil rights act
NOW: The crown act
Crown: Create a respectful and open workplace for natural hair
This law now implemented by my California and New York declares hair discrimination as illegal. This includes natural hair, styles, dreadlocks etc.
This law follows after multiple high profile cases such as a girl in Louisiana being sent home because of braided extensions. As well as a wrestler being forced to cut his dreads if he wanted to continue in competition.
“History has constantly implemented laws and societal normal that equate blackness and the associated physical traits to separate and unequal treatment”
-Teen Vogue
Why is it such a big deal for you to ask me to straighten my hair?
Straightening black hair can often cause a lot of heat damage and change a curl pattern because high levels of heat aren’t meant to be used on your hair almost everyday.
Now getting your hair straightened is not a bad thing everyone is entitled to their choice. There are many people with natural hair who get their hair straightened constantly but use the proper products and heat protection to protect their hair and still keep a bed of healthy natural hair
The main idea is PEOPLE ARE ENTITLED TO A CHOICE because the hair that grows naturally from someone’s head should not be frowned upon because it is biologically out of their control.
Organizations taking a stand
#NABJ
The national association of black journalist is trying to embrace journalist that wear their natural hair.
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