The Crown

Mood Song: Don’t Touch My Hair – by Solange ft. Sampha

The crown is heavy; no wait …Heavy is the head that wears the crown. That’s the saying that I was thinking of and ladies that is we. The crowns I’m talking about are luscious, curly, kinky, braided, locked and God-given. For many of us, we know that our crowns have been under attack since we were born. Parents were pressured or mentally warped to believe in European standards that influenced the alterations of our crown. Growing up I was bounded by the terms of the perm/relaxers. I could not go anywhere unless my mane was tamed. I would miss out on certain functions and socially people understood this. Shelling out so much money for the creamy crack was ridiculous not to mention I believed that I had bad hair unless it was chemically modified. Now there is nothing wrong with women who still want to chemically process their hair. I get the manageability but if you’re doing it because you’re insecure about the God-given texture your hair will form…well, you need to start to look within. Here is an article that might be able to help: https://www.teenvogue.com/gallery/10-girls-on-embracing-curly-hair.

Before our natural crowns were socially accepted, getting my hair straightened meant that I was well kept and could be looked at as a professional in the workplace. Personally, I battled A LOT with my hair and many sisters I knew did too. Let me tell you guys this story real quick.
I remember when my biological sister started to transition from perm to natural back in 2010 or so. As the younger sister, I imitated her often. I wasn’t trying to go natural but I wanted to rock all of the natural hairstyles she wore. So I did, I wore Bantu knots and did braid outs and waited longer to get my perms; as long as my hair was in a curly fro I was satisfied. I was in love with big curly and wild hair. But others weren’t, my colleagues at work criticized me and my friends were confused as to what was going on. They constantly asked what is wrong with my hair? I often walked around on the defense, cursing them out intellectually often asking “Did you asked the curly head Hispanic girl what’s wrong with her hair?” Many didn’t have a reply and others stopped because they didn’t want to feel my wrath. I believe I encouraged my friend on the journey to being natural, she had long black hair that came down her back and everyone praised her for her hair. Many believed a black girl with long hair was an anomaly. I was excited to see her braid outs and the other styles she came up with while her new growth was coming in. She looked great and as time went on our peers became more accepting of the change. Well actually, I don’t know if they did or if we just stopped caring but anyhow we felt great.

I will never forget the day when my friend came to me and explained that the Human Resource manager (who was a woman of color) pulled her inside of her office and said “what’s going on… If you want to be a Manager you’re going to have to do something with your hair. They won’t promote you like this.” My friend was applying to be a manager in training. I was livid and hurt. I kept assuring my friend this is against the law, and could not get over the Human Resource’s statement. Please note I was not the unapologetic black queen who understands the systematic oppressive nation that we are in. I was a young woman who hated injustice and this just felt WRONG. I knew that her hair did not determine her intellect or highly qualified skills she possessed to be a manager at that company. I wanted to advocate for her and that really meant raise all kinds of havoc but she told me to leave it alone. I didn’t want her to compromise who she was to get this managerial position. But she did comprise until she got the position, then she let crown reach high to the clouds. I always chuckle at the comeback and today her crown is still as luscious as ever.

When I read the headlines of an Insider article, Hair discrimination is now illegal in New York City my first feeling was anger. I was annoyed that a law was necessary to ensure that we do not get discriminated against concerning something that naturally and culturally affects us. When I wanted to advocate for my friend all those years ago, I just knew I had a case on basic human rights, the reality is if I would have fought on my friends behalf, I could have lost my job. I understand that the law is here to protect us and I’m grateful that the lack of compassion for cultural differences schools, businesses and others show to black individuals is being called out. However implementations like this remind me just how far we come and how far we have to go.
Let’s look at the law; there are 3 key components I want to highlight.

1. The new legislation regarding racial discrimination is directed at hairstyles in school, at work, and in public places. Discrimination in public places is defined but not limited to restaurants and nightclubs and also covers parks and libraries. The laws also prohibit discriminatory behavior by employers, schools, and real estate agencies. The law, however, doesn’t apply to companies that require their employees to wear hairnets or caps for health and safety reasons.
2. Once the law is in motion, New York residents who have experienced discrimination, have been harassed, demoted, or dismissed from their position will be able to lodge a formal complaint with the City Commission, after which the Commission will be able to impose a fine of up to $250,000.No upper limit has been set for damages. The Commission may also impose internal policy changes within companies, where relevant.
3. According to these guidelines New Yorkers have the right to “preserve natural hair or hairstyles closely associated with their racial, ethnic or cultural identity”. They specifically mention, “Natural hair, treated or untreated hairstyles such as locs, cornrows, twists, braids, Bantu knots, fades, Afros, and/or the right to keep hair in an uncut or untrimmed state”.

For full details on this law click the link below
https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/cchr/downloads/pdf/Hair-Guidance.pdf

It is imperative for us to know our rights and require this legislation across all states, with modifications as needed. It is OUR obligation to look out for one another and demand what’s needed for us. NO more belittlement of our children, when a school official says that the child’s hair is disruptive. NO more hair cuts before a game because of bigotry and ignorance. We must stand up!!! And though I’m annoyed not surprised at how many people see our CROWNS as a threat, this law can help. The battles are still going, I said help, we all know too well that hate has a way around the law and the attacks on our God given crowns won’t stop right away or possibly at all. But heavy is the head that wears the crown, so crown bearers how will you get this law passed in your state?

Side Note:

To the woman of color in Human Resources, I’m not mad at you. Well at the time I was, but I wanted to highlight that that all the managers were white or white passing. Her need to pull my friend in her office and say what she said, from her perspective was strictly to help. Though I did not and do not condone what she said I understand the many compromises black women had to make to get where they are in a white male dominating world. But as the tides change I strongly believe that this is the time to stand up for injustice across the board. It only takes one person, we all have a voice and when something is just not right the people will support.