Hair for Black women has always been a source of pride and joy. Form ancient times to today, the beauty of Black hair and Black hairstyles is like none other, yet, like skin, Black hair also sees its fair share of discrimination.
Glamour Magazine is looking to highlight the topic of hair discrimination in its first upcoming Black hair issue this September. The famed beauty magazine will spotlight the beauty of Black hair and explore the affects of discrimination, gathering four amazing Black actresses to speak out on the issue.
Marsai Martin, Gabriel Union, Keke Palmer, and Uzo Abuda, in conjunction with 13 anonymous Black women across the country, to film a powerful PSA entitled, “I’ve Been Told,” discussing their experiences with hair and discrimination.
Guest issue editor, journalist Ashley Alese Edwards, expressed her excitement about the issue in a press release shared with TODAY.
“The relationship between Black women and their hair is unique, powerful, and extraordinary,” she said in the release. “Yet for too long, Black hair has been the subject of unwarranted scrutiny and controversy. I’m so glad Glamour recognized the importance of the issue and lent me their platform to create this package to amplify the message that our hair is beautiful, complex, professional, and not up for debate.”
"This is our reality as Black individuals: That we will be judged for every little thing, down to our hair. " -Rachel Sakabo https://t.co/dHsEoKhBj6 #OurHairIssue pic.twitter.com/NwJLJx6XL4
— Glamour (@glamourmag) August 25, 2020
A few of the statements that the women share in the video, that are not new to may Black women include: “It’s too big.” “It blocks people’s view.” “Is it real?” Additionally, one of the women interviewed for the PSA stated that strangers walk up to her and pet her hair, while another interviewee shared that an HR employee said that her hair looked “more professional pulled back in a bun than it did out curly.”
At the end of the video, there is a call for people to get involved and support The CROWN Act. The CROWN Act was officially launched in 2019 to ensure protection against discrimination based on hairstyles.
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