Bias against hairstyles reveals a possible racial divide

The black power movement of the 1960s and 1970s inspired people to wear Afros and “natural” hairstyles to work, to concerts, to the grocery store, anywhere. The hairdos were a political statement that declared “Black is beautiful.” Then, gradually, as popular culture grew more accepting of individual tastes; as workplaces allowed people to dress less uniformly; as black artists, singers, musicians, actors, writers and sports stars grew more visible, then Afros, dreadlocks and cornrows returned to their original purpose – a way to wear hair.

A woman’s hairstyle is her choice, just as a man’s is his. One reason the black community was shocked by the Glamour employee’s statements was that she was basically saying black women’s hair is unfashionable or wrong. From that it is not a far leap to think she was implying “unattractive.” And that, in order to be presentable at work, black women have exactly one hairstyle choice — straightened. Which means the only way to be professionally successful is to follow a certain white ideal of beauty and professionalism.”*

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