The 2019 CROWN Research Study for Women
No one should be denied opportunities, or be unfairly targeted because of their natural hair texture or protective styles. Yet, for many Black adults, racial discrimination based on hairstyles is still a part of day-to-day life. This is something we can’t ignore. Our 2019 CROWN Research Study found that workplace bias against hairstyles unfairly targets Black women and impacts their ability to celebrate their natural beauty. Black women are:
- 1.5x more likely to be sent home from work because of their hair
- 3.5% more likely to be perceived as ‘unprofessional’ because of their hair
- 30% more likely to be made aware of a formal workplace appearance policy
- 80% more likely to change their natural hair to meet social norms or expectations at work
- 83% more likely to report being judged more harshly on their looks than other women
Racial discrimination against hairstyles has a real, measurable social and economic impact on Black women. This needs to change.
The 2021 CROWN Research Study for Girls
Learning how to be confident is an essential part of growing up. But early experiences of hair discrimination can have a negative impact on building self-esteem. From formal school policies that ban hairstyles inherent to Black culture, to microaggressions from teachers and classmates, Black children are unfairly targeted every day. Our 2021 CROWN Research Study for Girls shows that:
- 53% of Black mothers say their daughters have experienced racial discrimination based on hairstyles as early as five years old
- 66% of Black children in majority-white schools have faced race-based hair discrimination
- 86% of those children have experienced it by the age of 12
- 90% of Black children stating that their hair is beautiful, 81% of Black children in majority-white schools say they sometimes wish their hair was straight
- 100% of Black elementary school girls in majority-white schools (who report experiencing hair discrimination) experienced discrimination by the age of 10
This harmful discrimination can last throughout a person’s lifetime, both in terms of experiencing discrimination, as well as the long-term effects it can have on confidence and self-esteem. We need to stand together to tackle the root of the problem. It’s our responsibility to come together and do everything we can to create a safe, respectful and open school environment – free from discrimination.
