Black at Work: The Struggle To Navigate Black Hair in the Workplace is Far From Over.
Written By: Jessica Bond
When it comes to being a black woman in the workplace, there is a criterion on how we should present ourselves around our boss and coworkers. But why? This dates back to the entry of black-women into the workforce, and the idea that our hair should always be permed or relaxed to be seen as “presentable”. Essentially, looking presentable means “dialing down” your blackness for the comfort others. But don’t black women deserve to feel comfortable in their workspace too?
According to The Crown Coalition in partnership with Dove, A Black woman is 80% more likely to change her natural hair to meet social norms or expectations at work, and are 50% more likely to be sent home or know of a black woman sent home from the workplace because of her hair. The ongoing fight for the freedom to allow black women to wear culturally significant hairstyles can be seen in the case of Chasity Jones, an Alabama woman who was fired from her job after she refused to cut her dreadlocks, the company claiming that dreadlocks are against the company’s grooming policy because they “tend to get messy.”
Even celebrities have to face the repercussions of racial stereotypes. In recent news, Gabrielle Union has been fired from America’s Got Talent due to being “difficult”, but what does being “difficult” actually mean? It has been made public that Union was told that her hairstyles were “too black.” Also, her complaints about racist jokes on-set and an unhealthy work environment created by Simon Cowell were completely disregarded. Regardless of a black woman’s status in society, we are still subject to society’s prejudice of how a black woman should present herself.
California and New York are the first two states to pass laws banning hair discrimination targeting black hairstyles. But how does the passing of these laws correlate with how we express our concerns of hair discrimination in our workspaces?
Human Resources Representative, Dralissa Smart discusses tips on addressing your concern about hair discrimination. “If you have HR, speak to them FIRST. Don’t feel like you have to go head-to-head with your superior,” said Smart. “Allow them to help facilitate dialogue or correction where needed.”
If you DO have to confront your higher-ups without the help of HR, Smart provides a few tips:
• Ask for examples of how / when your hair has affected your work performance.
• Refer to examples of other non-black employees who are ‘expressing themselves’ with choices such as blue hair or tattoos
• Express that it is your personal choice to wear your hair in its natural state to protect it from damage. Use words like ‘culture, tradition, and personal expression’
• Try saying ‘you asking me to change my appearance makes me uncomfortable and targeted.’
Black women have been marginalized in America for far too long, and it’s up to us to take ownership of our space. We deserve a space to feel comfortable, where we aren’t required to look a certain way simply to put another group of people at ease.
About the Writer:
Jessica Bond is studying Journalism at Temple University. She is a contributing writer for Nappy Head Club.
