Hello Trent University Students and Staff,
Please allow me to share some thoughts on my favorite topic, Black hair. I am a new member of the EHRO office and
I hope by engaging in open conversation in this manner, I pave a way for more comfortable interactions regarding Black hair.
As an African woman, Black hair is near and dear to me and I would love to shed some light on some discriminatory issues that surround it.
This conversation pertains to the unacceptability of Black hair in the workplace.
Dr. Shauna Knox’s article, “The Impossible Dilemma of Black Female Leadership: The Tragedy of Nobody Seeing Us Even When Everybody’s Watching,” recently published in NonProfit Quarterly magazine, outlines aspects of forced Black erasure in the workplace.
Dr. Knox explains that Black people, specifically Black women, are expected to minimize aspects of their Blackness by code-switching, mimicking white culture, maintaining a nuanced and agreeable stance on controversial topics regarding Black individuals, and, most importantly, adopting a “presentable” outward appearance by looking less “Black” and avoiding natural Black hairstyles to successfully participate in predominantly white corporate environments (which constitute the majority of corporate environments).
Appropriate Black presentation, even beyond workplace scenarios, has been a controversial topic for many years. Respectability politics regarding a “neat Black appearance” is directly tied to our natural hair. In American history, Black hair discrimination began with the Tignon Laws of 1786, where Black women in New Orleans were forced to cover their hair and wear head wraps because it was seen as unkempt, distracting, unruly, and overall, too different. This attitude continued into the 20th century, where Black women had to straighten their hair to be part of respectable society and have a chance at employment. It persisted through the civil rights movement era and into the early 2000s, where natural hair became a symbol of resistance, and therefore, too political, leading to continued discrimination.
To date, several notions and perspectives of Black hair exist simultaneously, from being seen as unprofessional, untamed, and wild, and now, of course, political. Unfortunately, these negative sentiments and perceptions of Black hair exist globally. Many Black women in Canada have experienced Black hair discrimination, leading many to cover their natural hair with straight wigs or undergo invasive hair straightening treatments like perms and relaxers (which have been linked to fibroids and several forms of cancer).
How can we change this perception? What is the solution to this centuries-long issue?
It begins with representation in the media, including television, books, and films. But it can also start with us, from the stock pictures we choose for our job boards and descriptions to how we incorporate accurate Black hair representation in our universities. It can begin with how we react to Black women wearing their natural hair, treating it as something normal rather than responding with overexcitement. It can start with understanding Black hair chemistry and how Black women experience shrinkage. It can begin with staying informed about different Black hairstyles.
Any and every change can start with us, as onlookers, viewers, and supporters. I encourage you to learn more about this topic and share your experiences. I also take this opportunity to invite my fellow students to send your ideas or blogs to me on any topic that you would like us to discuss on this platform.
By Symphorosa Gabriel