Senator Jamal Bailey Bill S6528A It was signed into law this year. The law requires all cosmetologists and natural hair stylists in New York State to be trained to work with all hair types and textures, including black/Afro-textured hair, as a condition of their license. Masu.
The big question is, in 2023, why do we still have to resort to enacting anti-hair discrimination laws? To this day, black hair continues to be politicized, despite decades of consistent conservation movements across the country and around the world.
Black students in some states can be disciplined by school authorities simply for having “long” natural hair or hairstyles. In some industries and corporate settings, Black adults may experience severe discrimination or discrimination. considered “unprofessional” Because of their hair. Black women also take risks. ‘Intrusive and disrespectful’ treatment just to get through airport security Because of their hair.
“Hair is a very personal thing,” says Bailey, a passionate advocate for the movement to end hair discrimination laws across the country. He worked with coalitions such as Natural Hairstyles and Braids Coalition (NHBC) and others who passed the Crown Act 2019 state.
“As a proud husband to my wife and father of two young girls, I want them to feel confident and beautiful in their uniquely textured hair, and I want them to feel confident and beautiful in their uniquely textured hair. It is inextricably tied to our health and personal identity, and how we show up in the world. People with hair of all textures feel welcome, understood, and comfortable when seeking hair care services. You deserve to feel safe,” Bailey said.
Although the black hair care industry in the United States dates back to Madam CJ Walker in the late 1860s, Marjorie Joyner was the first black woman in the hair care industry. Attend and graduate from beauty school Mentoring Black hair care stylists and requiring licensing for natural hair is a fairly recent concept within the last few decades.
Culturally, NHBC co-president Diane da Costa said most of the industry didn’t seek licensure because black people were barred from attending technical schools due to a history steeped in racism and segregation. said. Even if they can afford it and are allowed to participate, they are not guaranteed to receive education on caring for their natural black hair but rather straighten their black hair to uphold white beauty standards. She said it would ensure that they are educated on how to process them.
“We live in a racist society. Yes, we have Madam C.J. Walker, the billionaire who brought hair cultivation to the forefront,” da Costa said. “[But] Many stylists were working from home. They couldn’t work in a salon, so they were doing braiding and styling. It was the impetus to take stylists out of their homes and become successful professional business owners. ”
New York has a deep tradition of normalizing natural hair, da Costa said. It was the first state to adopt a natural hair styling license in 1993.Then-Rep. Gary Pretrow passed the bill in 2017 Required two natural hair stylists to serve on the Secretary of State’s Appearance Enhancement Advisory Committee and required the formation of an advisory committee to incorporate texture education into cosmetology.
Black barber Kane Kutzwell founded Camera Ready Kutz in 2007. Barber Shop on Utica Avenue in Crown Heights, Brooklyn We are LGBTQIA+ friendly, have a mostly female staff, and accommodate all types of natural hairstyles and styles. She attended barber and cosmetology school. For her, it’s frustrating that many stylists of color have to know how to work with all types of hair, whether or not it’s the majority of the hair they work with.
“In barber school, we worked with all hair textures, from straight to tight to curly,” Katswell says. When it comes to beauty, I think it’s necessary to know how to handle textured hair. ”
But she doesn’t like how, even though she has years of professional training, white barbers often ask her to teach them how to cut textured hair in basically a few hours if they’re not used to cutting it. He said no.
Debra Hare-Bey is a licensed cosmetologist, master braider, and celebrity natural hairstylist. For her, the lack of education about her hair texture was because her dark hair was not celebrated. She believes hair care is closely tied to health care, as health issues often affect hair. Cleaning, treating, assessing the scalp, and working with natural textures are all part of the services a stylist should provide, but she said that’s not widely done for black-haired entrepreneurs.
“All the textures are great,” Hare-Bey said. “Overall a love for hair. It doesn’t matter, what matters is healthy hair. And understand that healthy hair matches a healthy body. These are the things we love at Natural Hair Space This is the conversation we are having. [we’re] They are trying to take over our industry. This is a comprehensive opportunity for hair care. ”
Mr. Bailey’s recent Cosmetology Act extends to the Secretary of State, requiring the Secretary of State to promote comprehensive hair education and testing for hair stylists and natural hair stylists. “Current standards in the beauty industry often leave professionals ill-prepared to work with a wide variety of hair types. This knowledge gap contributes to the challenges they face when searching for services that meet their needs. “It disproportionately impacts women and girls of color, who have long, textured, diverse hair,” Bailey continued.
Weena Jerome Alexandre is the founder of Renaissance Curls, a natural hair shop on Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard in Harlem that offers natural hair training classes. Jerome Alexandre said Mr. Bailey’s bill is an important and long-awaited development, but it does present some challenges to employment practices.
“It is important to clearly define the curriculum and ensure that we hire qualified teachers,” says Jérôme Alexandre. “This law provides an opportunity to modernize cosmetology education for hairstylists to learn about all hair textures, but the educational objectives are overshadowed by corporate interests and the valuable resources of organizations like the There are concerns that contributions may be overlooked.” [NHBC] These are the people who have been advocating this for years. Working with experienced professionals in textured hair care is essential to ensure effective implementation of the bill, which will bring real benefits to the target audience. ”
Learn more about NYS cosmetology licensing. dos.ny.gov/cosmetology.
Aliama C. Long is an American Legion member and writes about politics for the Amsterdam News. Your gift, matched by an RFA grant, will help her keep writing stories like this one. Visit us today to consider making a tax-deductible gift of any amount. https://bit.ly/amnews1.
