Comments on: Should Black Women Straighten Their Hair or Lighten Their Skin?

By: Berince Watson

Berince Watson — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 15:27:56 +0000

Black women should do whatever they want once they are aware that none of that stuff will make them “not black”. Like other women Black women like to beautify themselves and they should have the freedom to do so without judgement.

By: Charity Dell

Charity Dell — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 18:00:13 +0000

Your choice of workplace (assuming you have such a thing as “choice” these days!) also determines how you can look or dress for work. For example, most school districts in urban areas have a greater variety of “ethnic looks” permitted teachers and other staff–most urban districts will not penalize workers for ethnic hairstyles or religious head gear (turbans, yarmulkes, headscarves, etc.)

However, many school districts will not hire ANY candidate that shows up with GREY HAIR–despite all their posted signs displaying federal anti-discrimination laws. In the education industry, you are still competing with the cute, young slender pretty and/or handsome things coming out of college/graduate
school–and you better NOT look your age if you expect to be hired by a school board. This is how much the broadcast media image of “Barbie-Ken dolls” has permeated other American workplaces….and to everyone’s detriment!

By: Charity Dell

Charity Dell — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 17:44:53 +0000

Our society pressures EVERYONE–including African-americans–to “do something” about how they look–even when unnecessary! How many Asian/Euro women spend millions of dollars on curly perms and body perms? How many Euro-american women get melanoma and other cancers trying desperately to “add color” to their skin–the same color they despise on African-americans? How many women ADD harmful chemical implants to imitate Black bustlines and derrieres? How many women of Asian descent get surgery to alter their eyes to “Western” looks?
American society basically teaches everyone that, even if they are HEALTHY and have a GOOD body mass index, it’s NEVER ENOUGH!

By: Charity Dell

Charity Dell — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 17:35:55 +0000

Hear, hear! I’m glad you mentioned these points! The “broadcast media” powers-that-be have apparently determined that EVERYONE must:

1. Be slender, with near-perfect to perfect bodies and perfectly proportioned shapes–so all you medium-to-big-boned folks and heavier-busted folks NEED NOT APPLY;

2. Have tiny little Barbie-doll noses–look at all the female news anchors with re-designed noses crafted by surgeons;

3. Have straight BLONDE hair, unless you’re a male, in which case, you are allowed to be BRUNETTE or even
AUBURN-HAIRED. Notice that most female anchors (who are natural brunettes)have all kinds of blonde frosting, tipping and streaking to go with their brown and black ROOTS.

Unfortunately, too many workplaces have swallowed the
“Barbie-Ken-Skipper-Alan-Midge” image, and do reject candidates who do not have anorexic bodies and salon
“makeovers.”

By: Joe Steele

Joe Steele — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 16:15:19 +0000

In my opinion, the more pressing element for Black folks in terms of career development is the discomfort that many white colleagues still have with informal interactions – i.e., travel, socializing, etc. Also, the lingering beliefs about not being intellectually qualified and competent still linger. As for skin color, I do believe that white folks do still feel more comfortable with lighter skin Black folks. As for hair, I believe that the bigger issue for Black folks when considering career opportunities that involve relocation, both domestically and internationally, is the challenge of where will I get my hair done without needing to drive several hours.

By: Sandra Dee

Sandra Dee — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 13:22:23 +0000

Listen, I am not straightening my hair and damn sure not lightening my skin. The problem is that we keep changing our looks to please other people. Until we learn to accept ourselves, no one else will.

By: Lee

Lee — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 13:48:07 +0000

While the greatest barriers remain for Black women regarding hair and color, there are also barriers regarding hair and appearance for others. Have you ever noticed how most evangelical male leaders, conservative male politicians, and male politicians in general, have similar hair styles? You’ll also see similar hair styles for many male news anchors. And males in those areas very rarely have any facial hair. And we can’t overlook how female news anchors almost always have to be very attractive – and light-skinned for the most part and has there ever been one with braids or corn-rows. Some of the cable news women look like models. What happens to the less attractive aspiring to be news anchors?