The year is 2018; social media has taken over everyone’s lives, Donald Trump is somehow the President of the United States of America, New York sports teams are still historically bad and the Black man/woman still can’t catch a break. Only one of the aforementioned facts above has remained true for centuries. Can you guess which one it is? You guessed it, “the black man/woman still can’t catch a break.”
A recent debate was held in my household regarding natural Black hair hindering employment chances. In retrospect, it is true that rocking any natural hair look such as locs (dreads), afros and braids is in fact commonly looked down upon when it comes to hiring. This fact becomes especially true in corporate settings. However, many versions of the question, “why?” come to mind when you ponder this reality. Why is it that those styles are unaccepted? Why are they deemed unprofessional and “dirty” in some cases? Discrimination in the workplace is illegal in terms of race, ethnicity, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability and genetic information. Federal law protects against all of these things, but don’t you dare step into an interview with your natural hair out. Once your hair goes against the company’s “grooming policy” you’ll either be asked to change your hairstyle or not offered the job at all. I wonder who those grooming policies are made to keep in check *insert thinking face emoji*.
During the previously mentioned debate, my father made the following statement: “You’ve already got something going against you in being Black. You can at least lessen your chances of being harshly judged by keeping a cleaner cut.” When he said that there was one part that specifically stuck with me, and it was the phrase “lessen your chances…” It was so profound to me because that speaks volumes to how this country sees us Black people. We have to do so much more than the average Caucasian person just to have a CHANCE at being considered on their level. Again I ask the question, “Why?” If I go to a university and get the same degree as the Caucasian person next to me why is he valued more than I am? Why is he/she allowed to come in with their hair in just about any style they please but mine has to be straight if I’m a Black woman or a buzz cut caeser if I’m a Black man?
Even when you work your way up into relevance and a different tax bracket…still nigga. Forget about hair we can take a different example; let’s talk about the being Black in the NFL. The National Football League has put into effect a rule that will ban kneeling for the national anthem. The alternative to kneeling they’ve provided is that players are allowed to stay in the locker room if they feel that strongly against it. Basically what the NFL is saying is, “We don’t really care about the reason behind why you’re kneeling but if you must protest just keep it off the camera.” We have a league full of nationally and some internationally known football players that have essentially been stripped of their freedom of expression in order to put a hush on a growing movement. NFL team owners have come out in support of the rule (feel free to assume their race) stating that players will be fined for going against the ruling. Getting more in depth you can see that what the NFL has done is instill fear within their players. Though certain players have and will continue to stand up (or kneel) for the cause, others have taken to staying out of that the discussion completely. Third year Dallas Cowboys Quarterback, Dak Prescott, was reprimanded by the Black community recently for his statement in which he said a football game isn’t “the time or the venue” for demonstrations and protests. Although those are his words, do we really believe he meant them? I don’t. In analyzing his entire statement, which you can find online, it seems he was trying to look out more for himself at the moment. Looking at Cowboys owner, Jerry Jones, his track record shows players viewed as “problematic” or “defiant” have not lasted very long on his team e.g. Dez Bryant and Terrell Owens. Prescott was just trying to lessen his chances of being viewed as such and in turn said what he said. It’s very shameful when a man with that kind of national platform can’t truly express himself without fear of losing his job.
Bringing this back to something more relatable lets talk about the Black experience socially. On a day-to-day basis every socially aware Black individual thinks about how they’re being perceived when they go into the public, especially when dealing with the department of corruption, oops, I mean department of police. I’ve been told not to sag my pants, not to wear a durag (a traditional black male head covering) outside, don’t let your tattoos show, go get a haircut, avoid being in these areas with your friends, don’t take part in these certain activities, speak like this, do this, do that, don’t do this or don’t do that. I was told all these things in hopes of lessening my chances of being viewed as a thug or being made to look like a criminal. Meanwhile, I’m pretty sure in a Caucasian household the conversations about outside conduct aren’t nearly as exhausting.
Lessening your chances…though it was stated several times in this article, how many more times have you heard that in your life as a Black man/woman? My real question is how long do we as a people have to lessen our chances of being judged when trying to get employment, when walking the street or driving our cars, or even on television? The only way to create change in our society is to “shake the table” and demand our respect and equality. However, that brings another question to mind, do we crucify those that don’t stand with us and choose to assimilate to what society requires of them? Are they coons or “Uncle Tom’s”? Definitely questions that need answers…but what I do know is I’m tired of being uncomfortable. Too many times have I experienced or been told stories of minorities having to make sacrifices to their daily lives to suit the comfortability of others. Despite life being about making sacrifices you’re supposed to make them to directly enhance your life, not to acquiesce to those who inherently don’t like you.
— Written by Daniel Adams
