StyleSeat’s Post

For centuries, black women have defied oppression with creative hairstyles, turning restriction into freedom. From headwraps to intricate braids, black hair is a symbol of resilience and self-expression. Read more about the journey of black hair and its cultural significance. https://lnkd.in/g4bCwhWG

"My Black hair kinking. My Black skin gleaming." In a society where standards of beauty are often narrowly defined, Corinne Bailey Rae takes us on a journey reaffirming Black female sassiness and beauty. From workplace discrimination, societal stereotypes, and the traditional rejection by mainstream beauty industries, Black women have historically faced discrimination and prejudice based on their appearance, particularly their hair. Natural Black hair, such as afros, braids, and twists, has been stigmatized and deemed "unprofessional" in many workplaces and educational institutions. This bias not only undermines the autonomy of Black women but also perpetuates harmful stereotypes about professionalism and beauty. It must be noted that Black women are more than their hair! At the end of the 1960s, African American culture popularised the slogan: ‘Black is Beautiful’, which represented the antithesis for an industry based on artificially enhancing women's bodies in pursuit of a narrow, Eurocentric ideal. An important part of challenging entrenched biases, is reaffirming and celebrating the beauty of Black women through the esoteric artistry of Black Music. Black women are Beautiful!! SUCULTURE.

This Black History Month, let's critically examine media representation and beauty standards. The image highlights how the beauty industry often falls short in embracing diversity, particularly for Black women. It's crucial we challenge narrow ideals and celebrate beauty in all shades. Recent advertising missteps, like the controversial Heinz campaign, remind us that harmful stereotypes persist, even unintentionally. The advert, which sparked backlash for its portrayal of a Black family, notably omitted a father figure. This absence was discussed on ITV, highlighting how such portrayals can perpetuate damaging stereotypes about Black families. It underscores the urgent need for authentic storytelling and diverse voices in media and marketing. Let's champion narratives that showcase the full spectrum of Black experiences and family structures. True progress means moving beyond stereotypes to represent the richness and diversity of Black communities. This month, and always, we must advocate for inclusive representation that uplifts rather than marginalises. Change begins when we reclaim our stories and redefine beauty on our own terms. #BlackHistoryMonth #MediaRepresentation #InclusiveBeauty #ChangeTheNarrative Black History Month UK Bernie J Mitchell Deanna Tuitt Jacqueline Mayer (Boulos) Jamila Daley Ali K.

As Black History Month draws to a close, it is crucial to recognize that a significant portion of American Black history is deeply intertwined with the Civil Rights movement. The ongoing struggle for civil rights, synonymous with basic human rights, remains a daily battle in our nation. Recently, there has been increased focus on the issue of hair discrimination. Hairstyles such as box braids, cornrows, twisted dreads, creative fades, and intricate designs hold strong cultural significance in the Black community. Unfortunately, these styles have been used as a basis for discrimination against people of color, particularly in workplaces and educational settings. Black hair has unjustly been labeled as unprofessional, unkempt, and non-conforming, leading to limited opportunities, psychological safety concerns, and perpetuated biases against Black individuals. In response to this issue, several states have enacted the Crown Act. The CROWN Coalition, which championed the CROWN Act (Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair Act), reported in 2023 that Black women's hair is 2.5 times more likely to be unfairly deemed as "unprofessional." (source: HR Dive)

Black Women Are Not Cosplay: Rejecting Caricatures and Cultural Appropriation https://loom.ly/F8IuQpo In recent years, there has been a disturbing trend where elements of Black culture, particularly those associated with Black women, have been adopted, imitated, and commodified by individuals outside the Black community. From hairstyles and fashion choices to vernacular and body aesthetics, what many see as homage to Black culture is, in reality, a form of appropriation that reduces Black women to mere caricatures. This blog seeks to highlight why Black women are not cosplay and should not be treated as such, and why it's crucial to recognize the harm this behavior inflicts on the Black community.

Deep Dives into Lessons from "Girl Gurl Grrrl" by Kenya Hunt: 1. Redefining Beauty Standards: Colorism; Hunt challenges the preference for lighter skin within Black communities and the beauty industry's lack of inclusivity. The book encourages embracing all shades of Black skin and features. 2. Black Features as Beautiful: Hunt encourages celebrating features often considered "unconventional" in Eurocentric standards, like full lips, broad noses, and natural hairstyles. 3. Beyond Hype: While celebrating Black excellence, Hunt critiques the idea of "Black Girl Magic" becoming a pressure to constantly perform strength. 4. Nuance and Vulnerability: "Girl Gurl Grrrl" argues for embracing vulnerability and the full spectrum of Black women's experiences, not just their successes. 5. Black Women's Voices:The book highlights the importance of Black women owning their narratives and refusing to be defined by stereotypes. 6. Sisterhood and Solidarity: Hunt emphasizes the power of building connections and supporting each other within the Black community, despite differences. 7. Motherhood's Challenges: Hunt explores the unique challenges Black mothers face, from societal pressures to navigating a racist world with their children. 8. Black Motherhood as Strength: The book celebrates the strength and resilience Black mothers display in raising their children. 9. Belonging Beyond Race: Hunt explores the complexities of belonging as a Black womanboth within Black communities and in a world that may not always feel welcoming. 10. Creating Your Own Space: The book emphasizes the importance of creating spaces where Black women feel seen, heard, and valued, even when mainstream society doesn't provide them.

Taraji P. Henson's remarks shed light on the disparity in pay for black actresses within the industry. However, the focus of the conversation should shift towards the commodification of labor among black women. Essentially, the work of black women has been reduced to a commodity or product for corporations to exploit, influenced by rules, regulations, and social norms. The foundation of this practice, sustained by the core elements of rules, institutions, and social norms, results in the withholding of fair compensation for the work performed. What makes this issue even more alarming is that this labor dynamic not only perpetuates the problem but also strengthens the capitalist structures and corporations behind it. Shockingly, statistics reveal that over a twenty-year career, black women may experience a loss of nearly 1 million dollars due to pay disparities. Even for someone like Taraji, who falls into a higher income bracket, facing gendered pay discrimination highlights the pervasive nature of the pay gap. This suggests that, irrespective of one's income or class, capitalist structures across all industries contribute to and sustain pay inequities.

According to a survey by the Dove Self-Esteem Project, 70% of Black women and 63% of Black girls don’t feel represented in media and advertising. This lack of representation, not being able to have role models that look like you, can significantly impact self-esteem and body confidence. In addition, research shows that Black women are more likely to feel pressured to change their hair to fit in at the workplace, with 80% reporting they have had to alter their natural hair to meet “social norms.” However, despite these challenges, the body positivity movement is rapidly gaining momentum. It is also crucial to uplift voices within the Black community and promote diverse beauty standards. 💫This Black History Month, I will be showcasing the resilience, strength, and beauty of black pioneers in the body positivity movement. Let’s challenge beauty norms and promote body confidence within our communities to help foster a culture of self-love, acceptance, and celebration of the diversity within us all. ✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽 #nmaspeaks #BlackHistoryMonth #BodyConfidence #CelebrateBlackBeautyp

You want to know what happens when you put Black women in positions of Power without addressing the systems of oppression and racism in which they navigate? Claudine Gay. In these positions we have responsibility, but rarely do we have Authority and true support. We may have allies who show up when it’s aesthetically pleasing or self serving. But in times of conflict, we rarely have accomplices who are willing to do what’s right. To disrupt systems, policies, and narratives they benefit from. The closed door support means NOTHING! Why am I only talking about Black women when it happens to others? Let’s not forget, in order to get in these positions where we are the FIRST and ONLY (which is often unsafe for us), we have endured and navigated terrian you couldn’t imagined. We’ve out performed, out produced and sacrificed far more than our predecessors…only to sit under a lens of zero tolerance and scrutiny. When I say I specialize in organizational wellness THIS is why. This is trauma and organizations and institutions have a role in dismantling the systems that maintain it.

Happy Juneteenth! Today it feels important to celebrate Black freedom, Black joy, Black love, and Black solidarity. It also feels important to remember that we are not free until all black people are free around the globe! Lastly, we encourage non-black folks to practice reparations, engage in critical self-reflection about how you perpetuate anti-black racism, and celebrate and lift up the amazing contributions of black people. #Juneteenth #RepresentationMatters #DisabilityJustice #BlackDisability #BlackAndDisabled . . . [Image Description: Stylized illustration of a Black person with a big Afro wearing large circular sunglasses, earrings, and a necklace, all in a bright orange color. The background is a deep purple, and white text reads "JUNETEENTH FREEDOM DAY" arched around the person's head.]