Yeside Linney’s Post

🌟 The history of black hair is a rich tapestry woven with culture, identity, and societal norms. 🌟 Throughout history, black hair has stood as a symbol of pride and cultural heritage, showcasing the diversity of styles that reflect individual and collective identities within African communities. However, the legacy of slavery and colonialism casts a shadow, leading to the stigmatization of black hair and the imposition of Eurocentric beauty standards. Despite these challenges, black hair has persevered as a potent expression of resilience and resistance, evolving into a vibrant spectrum of styles and techniques that celebrate its natural texture and beauty. Today, we witness a flourishing movement toward embracing natural hair, reclaiming cultural roots, and challenging stereotypes. This movement fosters greater acceptance and appreciation for the diverse textures and styles of black hair, promoting inclusivity and empowerment. Let's continue to celebrate the beauty and significance of black hair, honoring its complex history and embracing its diversity with pride. 💫 - Happy Black History Month from AfroSeat! ✊🏿 #BlackHairHistory #blackhair #EmbraceYourRoots #diversityandinclusion #diversity #erg #employeeresourcegroups #blackhistorymonth #blackhistorymonth2024 👑 The CROWN Act 👑 - Join the movement to shatter racial discrimination based on hairstyles by signing the petition https://lnkd.in/e6s2yqq. #theCROWNact #voteforchange

Hair, for Black Canadian women, transcends mere aesthetics; it's a canvas that reflects centuries of cultural heritage, resilience, and societal struggles. From the era of colonization to modern-day workplaces, the politicization of Black hair has been an enduring saga, marked by systemic biases and discriminatory practices. The use of terms like "unprofessional" has served as oppressive tools, often targeting hairstyles diverging from Eurocentric norms. Such narratives not only undermine the beauty and diversity of Black hair but also perpetuate harmful stereotypes, constraining individuals to compromise their authenticity to fit into predefined molds of acceptability. Ultimate Potentials recognizes the imperative of dismantling such narratives and creating spaces where every individual feels valued and empowered. We also know that education is key. It’s only by understanding the historical context and societal implications surrounding Black Canadian women's hair that we can foster empathy, challenge biases, and cultivate environments of true inclusivity. That’s why our goal is to empower organizations to embrace diversity in all its forms, including the myriad expressions of Black hair. Through tailored DEI training and education, we equip individuals and organizations with the tools to recognize and combat unconscious biases, fostering environments where authenticity thrives, and everyone can bring their whole selves to the table. And in case you missed it, tap into our latest episode with Simone Wright where we talk natural hair journeys, finding your voice as a Black woman and everything in between. https://lnkd.in/ehZgzcVF

Although @gettmaani's video gained popularity in 2020, it continues to highlight an important and necessary discussion regarding the act of touching a Black woman's hair. Requesting to touch a Black woman's hair can be seen as "othering," treating her as different or alien. This action can leave her feeling objectified, disempowered, and constantly on guard.⁠ A recommended course of action would be to intervene and firmly state, "Hey, asking to touch a Black woman's hair is not OK!" or "Why do you feel the need to touch it? It looks beautiful from where I'm standing!" If the person persists, it is crucial to explain the reasons behind the issue.⁠ The motivation behind such requests may stem from "hair bias," a belief that there is something exotic, improper, or unprofessional about a Black woman's natural hair. This bias originated during the era of slavery and has been perpetuated by the beauty industry. Unfortunately, it remains prevalent today, with some U.S. companies even enforcing policies against natural Black hairstyles. Additionally, requesting to touch a Black woman's hair reveals an imbalanced power dynamic, allowing white individuals to disregard the personal boundaries of Black individuals without facing repercussions.⁠ It is each of our responsibilities to challenge bias and discrimination within the workplace.

Hey Black Girl… 💆🏾♀️ You are worthy of rest! In a society that glorifies hustle culture and perpetuates the myth that success comes only through relentless grind, it's easy to overlook the importance of rest. Rest should not be a luxury. 🙋🏽♀️ You are worthy of asking for help! It takes strength and courage to acknowledge when we need support, yet far too often, Black Women carry the weight of the world on their shoulders alone. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness, it's a demonstration of self-awareness and resilience. 🤷🏽♀️ You are worthy of showing your emotions! Society often stereotypes Black Women as strong and resilient, but this stereotype can be suffocating, denying them the space to express vulnerability or seek comfort when they're hurting. Your emotions are valid, whether they're joyous, angry, sad, or anything in between. Black women, carry the weight of intersecting identities and navigate unique challenges, but we must never forget our inherent worthiness. Together, let's rewrite the narrative and create a world where every Black woman feels seen, valued, and empowered. #blackcommunity #blackwomen #awareness

We must not be threatened by the identity of others. The internet can be a truly horrible place. As we celebrate Black History Month and Women’s month, I’m unfortunately reminded that there is still a huge majority that refuse to self educate and instead spew their ignorance for free. A black woman was stabbed in the face and neck by her partner and the comments across social media went as follows…… they were mostly by men: “Maybe she pushed him to the edge” “We need to hear the full story” “How do we know she didn’t deserve it” “I wonder what she did to him” “Maybe she was setting him up and he was defending himself” “Why does the article have to say black woman… all women experience stuff like this” Being a mum and being in sales has made me so much more empathetic. I’ve always been labeled as kind, but it’s sales and motherhood that forced me to get better at experiencing the feelings of others. So when I see horrific images and stories of black women being attacked by shop owners, or their male partners I feel sick. When I share my reactions as a black woman I am almost always called out for bringing race into it? But I’m confused, it’s a black woman. I see part of myself in them. I immediately connect because we share similar identities. I understand that when you don’t see yourself in someone else immediately, it may be hard to connect. But we must work harder to see people in their own right. Highlighting the lived experiences of one group of people who share similarities, does not render the experiences of other obsolete or less important. We gotta stop jumping all over others because we do not feel secure enough in our own identities. Leave people TF alone. TLDR; All our lives we have used highlighter pens to identify areas of significance. It’s to remind us that this holds meaning to us for a particular reason. It doesn’t mean the rest of the text is meaningless. #rantover

It is exhausting having to be the bigger person in each and every situation..

Black women have long been the backbone of their communities, bearing burdens with grace and resilience. Yet, beneath the surface lies an unseen, often unacknowledged struggle: the emotional labor they endure daily. From the boardroom to the living room, Black women navigate a world that demands their strength while offering little in return. It’s time to recognize this labor for what it is—a profound and relentless effort that deserves our attention and respect. From a young age, Black women are taught to be strong, to shoulder burdens without complaint, and to support those around them unconditionally. This expectation is rooted in historical and cultural contexts, where Black women have had to navigate a world that often seeks to undermine their existence. While resilience is a testament to their strength, it also comes with a cost: the internalization of pain and the suppression of vulnerability. Stereotypes like the "strong Black woman" or the "angry Black woman" further exacerbate the emotional labor Black women face. These harmful narratives dictate how they are perceived and treated, both personally and professionally. The pressure to constantly prove their worth, to be more competent, and to maintain composure in the face of adversity, adds an additional layer of emotional strain. These stereotypes not only dehumanize but also place unrealistic expectations on Black women to perform emotional labor without recognition or respite. Click the link to keep reading. #strongblackwoman https://lnkd.in/gGhm5fWT

The reality is that Black women cannot afford to be unliked at work. ⬇️ Now that I have your attention, let’s talk about the extra energy Black women have to exhaust to maintain a 'likable' persona in the workplace. From adding extra pleasantries in emails and internal comms to constantly managing our facial expressions, these are additional burdens that our coworkers just don’t face. We talk a lot about divesting from these behaviors to avoid burnout and inauthenticity. But our workplaces often react harshly. You might lose your job, face demotion, retaliation, or isolation. All things that only add to the pile on. It can make you feel hopeless. It’s especially challenging for us to be perceived as likable due to inherent biases. Having to smile because a neutral expression is often perceived as anger or attitude, rather than just focus. We’re always under a microscope of scrutiny. It’s important to recognize that this pressure is not a reflection of your worth or capability. Stay true to yourself and prioritize your well-being. Your value is not defined by how well you fit into someone else’s mold.

We cover this and much more in our anthology "In The Courageous Pursuit of Authenticity" Order your copy today to learn how to navigate these sigmas in white spaces https://lnkd.in/e5jtb5Ch

Here's the truth- the rules are different for us. And this is not only for those who are deliberately and decidedly racist. This is often upheld even by many who claim to be allies. Here's what I've learned about the rules over the past 3 decades.... The rules are almost never interpreted on our behalf no matter how clear the issue might be The standards are always higher The expectations are always higher There is little to no margin of error available The interpretation of rules always narrower and in the interest of those in power We will always have to keep proving ourselves to standards that were not used for those who always had the roles. These rules all come out of the same colonial system that bred residential schools and apartheid and more...but you know- they're the rules. No critical analysis or reflection needed. And Black women are easy targets. Nothing about this is MICRO- it is abusive and harassment, it is aggression and it is a failure of those in power. We need to do better.