Afro Hair and the right to belong - why our leaders must act now on race-based discrimination
4 min read
When I was much younger, in my first job working in politics, a senior colleague loudly suggested that I use a "garden rake" to "sort out" my Afro hair.
I remember the sting of being singled out in such a hostile way, standing amidst a crowd of political leaders, feeling as though my natural self was an object of ridicule. That experience opened my eyes to the pervasive and unspoken discrimination that so many Black individuals face daily. Afro hair discrimination is often trivialised, but it’s a deeply rooted issue that inflicts harm from our schools to our workplaces, and it’s time we address it at national level.
As the CEO of Enact Equality, I am committed to ensuring that no person is ever made to feel that their natural hair is unprofessional. We recently launched a new Afro Hair Discrimination Reporting Platform, which offers an innovative way for people across the UK to report instances of race-based hair discrimination. Importantly, this platform includes an option to request free legal advice from one of our partner law firms, giving people the support they need to stand up against discrimination. We designed this platform not just as a reporting tool but as a lifeline for those who have felt isolated in the face of prejudice.
Race-based hair discrimination is systemic, and woven into many facets of our society. Schools, places which are meant to be safe and inclusive, are some of the most common environments where Black children experience hair discrimination. I hear from young people who have been punished, disciplined, or humiliated simply for wearing their hair in natural styles. For children, these experiences don’t just impact self-esteem - they shape how they see themselves in the world and can affect their mental health long into adulthood.
To be clear, this issue isn’t isolated to education alone. Research by Pantene, Black Minds Matter, and Project Embrace found that an overwhelming 93% of Black people in the UK have faced microaggressions related to their hair. Worse, 52% say that discrimination against their natural hair has had a negative impact on their mental wellbeing and self-esteem. Discrimination against natural Afro hairstyles, which are expressions of identity and culture, is a form of racial prejudice that denies Black individuals the basic dignity of feeling comfortable in their own skin. This is an injustice that can no longer go unaddressed by our leaders.
The need for comprehensive protection against Afro hair discrimination is now pressing and recognised by influential voices beyond our sector. Celebrities like Mel B, who joined World Afro Day in urging for legislative changes, are amplifying this message. In parallel, within the tech and social media space, a campaign has been launched to encourage the Unicode Consortium to release emojis that accurately reflect Black and mixed-heritage hairstyles, a testament to the demand for inclusion across all spheres.
In 2021, at Enact Equality we launched our first campaign against race-based hair discrimination, which led to significant strides in government recognition. We were invited to No. 10 Downing Street, and the Equality and Human Rights Commission published new national education policy guidance specifically addressing Afro hair discrimination in schools. I am proud that Enact Equality played a pivotal role in drafting this guidance, setting a critical precedent for institutions across the country.
In my recently released TEDx Talk, I discuss how our education system needs a major overhaul. Afro hair discrimination isn’t just about hair - it’s about self-worth and respect. By fostering a national culture of inclusivity, we can build a society where all children are respected for who they truly are. The time for action is now. We need policy changes at national level, accountability in our institutions, and comprehensive protections in our legal framework to eradicate discrimination. Let’s not just talk about justice - let’s make it a reality for all.
PoliticsHome Newsletters
Get the inside track on what MPs and Peers are talking about. Sign up to The House's morning email for the latest insight and reaction from Parliamentarians, policy-makers and organisations.
