Dear friend, Black hair is Black history. Hairstyles like box braids, cornrows, and locs originated in Africa, thousands of years before the transatlantic slave trade. Enslavers shaved the heads of Black women and men to strip them of their cultural identity and humanity. But these styles transcended slavery; Black people used different patterns of cornrows to communicate escape routes and hide seeds to grow new crops. While afro-textured hairstyles are symbolic of our ingenuity and cultural richness, today, our natural hair is still stigmatized and under attack. That’s why we’ve recently launched the #MyCrownMyWay campaign—and are fighting to hold major corporations, like Walmart and McDonald’s, accountable for not creating hair policies that protect Black employees ! But, friend, we’re going to need your support to win : DONATE $5 DONATE $10 DONATE $15 OTHER AMOUNT In 2021, our CROWN coalition partner conducted a survey that revealed that 43% of Black girls in all school environments report experiencing hair bias.1 This race-based hair discrimination translates into adulthood. Black women are 80% more likely to change their hair from its natural state to fit in at the office.2 Black women should feel empowered to wear their natural hair proudly in any workplace setting. Natural-hair discrimination is racial discrimination, and it attacks the livelihood and economic vitality of Black communities, especially Black women. When we interview for a new job, our qualifications and talents come second to our appearance.3 When we secure the dream job that we’ve manifested, we experience routine microaggressions directed toward our hair.4 And when we file complaints with human resources, we’re reminded that workplace appearance policies are rooted in and perpetuate white supremacist notions of professionalism.5 As Black women, we deserve to exist as ourselves—free from judgment, ridicule, or anti-Black policies that deem our natural hair “unacceptable.” Chip in to fuel our movement to eradicate natural-hair discrimination in the workplace! Here’s what your funds will go toward : 1. Collaborations with social media influencers to push our campaign to their networks, so that we can gain enough signatures for an official petition delivery. 2. Explainer video series on the politics of Black hair to normalize its professionalism. 3. Digital media ads to raise public awareness of our campaign and pressure corporations to create policies that protect Black employees. POWER THE FIGHT TO END NATURAL HAIR DISCRIMINATION! As we close out Black History Month 2022, we envision a future in which Afro-textured hairstyles are not just tolerated but welcomed in workplaces, in schools, and in society as a whole. That’s why we are fighting for permanent solutions to end race-based hair discrimination. And we’re on our way : the CROWN Act is the law in 14 states. We can create a respectful and open world for natural hair—the world we deserve—through our powerful campaigns. Friend, will you join our efforts to ensure that Black children, women, and men feel empowered to wear their natural hair without fear of microaggressions, scrutiny, or maltreatment ? YES, I will chip in today to power the campaigns to end race-based hair discrimination.
DONATE NOW Until justice is real, The Color Of Change Team.
References : - “2021 CROWN Research Study for Girls,” DOVE January 26, 2021, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/349187?t=13&akid=53022%2E1942551%2E3gM6iW.
- Ibid.
- Alexia Fernández Campbell, “A Black woman lost job offer because she wouldn’t cut her dreadlocks. Now she wants to go to the Supreme Court,” Vox, April 18, 2018, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/349188?t=15&akid=53022%2E1942551%2E3gM6iW.
- “2021 CROWN Research Study for Girls.”
- Aysa Gray, “The Bias of ‘Professionalism’ Standards,” Stanford Social Innovation Review, June 4, 2019, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/349189?t=17&akid=53022%2E1942551%2E3gM6iW.
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