"In 2023, Native American children are still forced to cut their hair. A school in Kansas forced an 8 year old Native child to cut his hair because it didn't fit the requirement for boys. Despite being protected by the First Amendment of Freedom of Expression and Religion."

I remember the story of a young Black teen who was told if he didn't cut off his locks before a wrestling match he could not participate. There was footage of him looking despaired while they cut off his hair. Or another time when another Black teen who was told if he didn't cut his dreadlocks he couldn't attend his own graduation ceremony -he was suspended just like so many have been for refusing to cut their hair. I'm also thinking of the countless times Black girls and women, who have disproportionately experienced hair bias, been told their hair isn't 'professional,' if it hasn't been straightened.

Telling Indigenous people to cut their hair has white supremacist roots (as it does for the cases I just mentioned above) -settler-colonizers did this when they kidnapped and forced Indigenous children into these genocidal concentration camps (yes, that's what they were) and it's beyond despicable. And is something that is a political issue because hair is political -for so many cultures and traditions, it is sacred -this is just horrifying.

Time to rethink the social stigma around different hair types

Curly hair emojis might talk about inclusivity, but that alone wouldn’t shatter through the hair bias.

Hair counts as the most important thing for many of us and makes us who we are. For a lot of women around the world, makeup and clothing are secondary to their identity. But how do we respond when bias is slapped over our identity? For most curly-haired people, it means rushing to straighten their hair.

Unfortunately, the world has attached a long string of biases when it comes to curly hair. Ask yourselves – is it so challenging to shatter through the biases of hair texture? It’s both a yes and no.

Years of social conditioning have led curly-haired folks to compare their hair with straight and silky hair, which has also been the beauty standard for years. But now is the time to free your curls of heat abuse and embrace them as they are!

Detangling Hair Bias

A pan-India survey revealed that 87% of Indian prefer long and straight hair on women. These stats naturally open doors for curl shaming. What’s more disappointing is curl shaming is pretty much a prevalent phenomenon.

Even when you see FMCG brand advertisements, never have they featured curly or wavy hair; it’s always the straight that gets the preference. Hair bias appears even in workplaces for many afro-origin individuals across borders. It’s shameful how the media trends perpetuate a specific hair type as the beauty standard.

Your Curls Deserve More  

If you ask curl-haired individuals how they start their day, most would reply – “with straightening products and flat irons.” Aren’t most of us curly-haired folks guilty of doing that? Remember, 60% of this world population is curly-haired, so it’s pretty standard if you have those bouncy and beautiful waves!

Don’t let others rule out what hair type suits you the most. Those heat-based styling tools might seem the need of the hour, but trust us when we say they’re just burning the bridges for you. You can wear your curly hair naturally and still rock any festive, party, or cool dude look. Rather than spending on expensive straightening sessions at salons, invest in quality curl care products to help you build an apt hair regime.

Bridging the Gaps  

Another thing that adds to the hair bias is the lack of training and education for hair stylists to work with different textured hairs. Only a few professional stylists are adept at properly handling and treating curly or wavy hair.

Simultaneously, this gap in curly hair training also leads to how curly hair folks experience salon services. Not only experts, but most salons do not harbor the right products or tools for this hair type. The way forward is to enhance the self of the salons with the right products and introduce the requirement of curl expertise for stylists. We need to erase the stigma from all touchpoints to beat hair bias.

Stop the Heat Torture

Acceptance is undoubtedly the first step toward helping curly-haired folks from undergoing heat treatments to straighten their hair. It is essential to liberate people from pre-set notions of beauty.

The change of mindset is slowly developing, but the cause can truly be successful when curly is just seen as another hair texture and not a weird hair type. Curlies, it’s time you realize that what you have is no less than a gorgeous crown!

#Repost @intlilovebraidsdayblc ・・・ Monday, July 29th. It’s not over yet, Day 2 is serious. You can‘t love Braids or be an advocate for Braids and not be in the house. Get your tickets now. Just $10 _______ Students and seniors 1/2 price add this discount: code braid50. at checkout. You will be asked to present identification at the event. Please follow link in bio to purchase your tickets _______ This is YOUR opportunity to help shape our industry. Listen to what our industry leaders have to share about education, more advocacy and continued legacy building. We want to hear from you. Your voice matters! This evening will help reinforce and strengthen the Braiding and Natural Hair Community. _______ #registernow #restorationplaza #thebusinessofbraids #lovebraids #july29 #celebrate #honor #history #design #braids #brooklyn #bedstuy #internationalilovebraidsday #braids #hairbias #inclusion #education #license #omhh #intlilovebraidsday #2019iilbdblc @_omhhinc @bedstuyrestoration @intlilovebraidsdayblc @tulanikinard @dianecbailey @backtonaturaldoc @intlilovebraidsdayblc https://www.instagram.com/p/B0gnxlPl7LQ/?igshid=1xaly7fhh67e5

Here is the link: https://www.melanating.com/event/iilbd2019/#tribe-events-tickets Monday, July 29th. It’s not over yet, Day 2 is serious. You can‘t love Braids or be an advocate for Braids and not be in the house. Get your tickets now. Just $10 _______ Students and seniors 1/2 price add this discount: code braid50. at checkout. You will be asked to present identification at the event. _______ This is YOUR opportunity to help shape our industry. Listen to what our industry leaders have to share about education, more advocacy and continued legacy building. We want to hear from you. Your voice matters! This evening will help reinforce and strengthen the Braiding and Natural Hair Community. ________ Prizes, games and giveaways are waiting for YOU to be in the house. See you tonight. #registernow #restorationplaza #thebusinessofbraids #lovebraids #july29 #celebrate #honor #history #design #braids #brooklyn #bedstuy #internationalilovebraidsday #braids #hairbias #inclusion #education #license #omhh #intlilovebraidsday #2019iilbdblc @_omhhinc @bedstuyrestoration @intlilovebraidsdayblc @tulanikinard @dianecbailey @backtonaturaldoc @intlilovebraidsdayblc (at Restoration Plaza) https://www.instagram.com/p/B0gIug2Aot8/?igshid=3eyf57cmw5by

It’s not over yet, Day 2 is serious. You can‘t love Braids or be an advocate for Braids and not be in the house. Get your tickets now. Just $10 _______ Students and seniors 1/2 price add this discount: code braid50. at checkout. You will be asked to present identification at the event. Please follow link in bio to purchase your tickets _______ This is YOUR opportunity to help shape our industry. Listen to what our industry leaders have to share about education, more advocacy and continued legacy building. We want to hear from you. Your voice matters! This evening will help reinforce and strengthen the Braiding and Natural Hair Community. _______ #registernow #restorationplaza #thebusinessofbraids #lovebraids #july29 #celebrate #honor #history #design #braids #brooklyn #bedstuy #internationalilovebraidsday #braids #hairbias #inclusion #education #license #omhh #intlilovebraidsday #2019iilbdblc @_omhhinc @bedstuyrestoration @intlilovebraidsdayblc @tulanikinard @dianecbailey @backtonaturaldoc @intlilovebraidsdayblc (at Restoration Plaza) https://www.instagram.com/p/B0fgmhkAMhw/?igshid=px0k62osxt69

I am so proud, not just for me but for the Natural Hair Industry. We have an official day, July 29. Register NOW if you don't want to miss this event. Follow link in bio to attend INTERNATIONAL I LOVE BRAIDS DAY Date: July 29th Place: 1368 Fulton St, Restoration Plaza Multi Purpose Room, 1st fl, Bedstuy- Bklyn 11216 To champion the respect, business and culture of Braids Time: 6-10pm Price: $10 Champagne Reception Private Screening "Back To Natural" Documentary Discussion...hair bias & inclusion led by Diane C Bailey Legacy & Education- Tulani Kinard *Braid Art hair show Giveaways Special Surprise If you are interested in being a Sponsor or vendor, please DM me. ___________ #summerfun #support #lovebraids #july29th #celebrate #honor #braidart #history #legacy #education #spectacular #shopping #brooklyn #bedstuy #hairbias #familyapproved #omhh #intlilovebraidsday #2019iilbdblc @_omhhinc @tulanikinard @dianecbailey. Get your tickets NOW @backtonaturaldoc @bedstuyrestoration @intlilovebraidsdayblc (at Restoration Plaza) https://www.instagram.com/p/BzNu9vSA3qk/?igshid=1odgxwxuejxhc

Hair Bias, against black natural culs