Back in 2006 the gorgeous and talented India.Arie released “I am not my Hair”, a beautiful and powerful homage to the true essence of what it means to be Black in America and being truly free. Although this song has been internalized to mean that we are greater than what appears on the surface, it begs to question why so many have neglected to see that internal essence of our spirit.
Why is it that as members of Black America are we still looked upon as less than because of our skin tone, natural hair textures, and styles. Back in 2017, I had just completed my MBA studies and this harsh reality reared its ugly head at how much this country digs deep to find a reason, any reason to see us as less than. At this time I was going out on interview after interview for positions that I for sure had the skill set as well as the demonstrated track record of being a viable candidate. The staunch reality that by my having locs was actually becoming a factor in the hiring process. I would have been in a true state of dumbfounded, had a not entered my adult life as the nation was in a state of disarray. The racial climate has always been unfavorable to anyone that clearly stands out against the accepted norm.
Honestly, the time of conformity is well past is prime and members of this society need to stop following this scapegoat of “I don’t see color.” It is truly asinine for one to say this to themselves. Just like my skin color, my hair is what makes me unique, however, it does not define my spirit, my drive, nor my integrity. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunities Commission (EEOC), the agency responsible for enforcing federal laws that make it illegal for employers to discriminate on the basis of race have defined discrimination as “involves treating someone (an applicant or employee) unfavorably because he/she is of a certain race or because of personal characteristics associated with race (such as hair texture, skin color, or certain facial features).” Natural hair discrimination is just another layer of the foolish complexities of living in a society that would rather you disappear into the background rather than stand up and stand out. Something my hair and my skin will never allow.
Just as with every other form of discrimination based on ones lack of conforming to the status quo I am reminded of an old parable. A tale that exposes the fact that if man were to be perfectly unified our pride as humans would be our demise. Our differences not only make us unique but they keep us grounded. I have seen many debates and arguments on why employers and the corporate world need to understand why we choose to wear our hair in its natural state or in traditional styles, but the reality is they don’t! Just as we don’t need to understand why they do what they do to their hair. I was taught “what does not apply to you, is of no concern to you.”
I am proud of the wonderful strength and resilience that is exuded daily from my culture and my people. It is 2019, and it is time that we stand up and say enough is enough. Enough of allowing others to shape our thoughts and perceptions on what is deemed acceptable for how God intended for our hair to be naturally. Enough with allowing others to dictate what beauty means to us. It is the time that we celebrate our uniqueness and fight for our right to exist as naturally as the most high has intended.
Yaass Honey, exactly, Well said.