Article by Deilani Harris

Roots: The Untold Truth About Bias Around Black Hair Deilani Harris

“There was a time in the U.S., history was all about freedom. Freedom of rights, justice and equality. And so by wearing an Afro, you were making a statement and siding with that freedom. Freedom to be you.”

-Leilani Gayles

Context You will often hear Leilani before you see her. Conferencing on the phone, talking and planning with her coworkers, documents and pens scattered around. However, her long dark, ginger highlighted sisterlocks will be one of the first characteristics to catch your eye, besides her brown skin.

Leilani Gayles is a hard working black woman who represents the struggle of internalized racism when it comes to hair prejudice in the business place.

Growing up in San Francisco, Leilani Gayles was often surrounded by people of color and diversity. Especially in the 1970’s, many trends and movements were taking place and these new ideas heavily influenced the people. Since a lot of the population were largely black, popular hairstyles emerged such as the afro, cornrows and the Jheri Curl. From the Sunnydale Projects to living in one of the wealthiest cities in the world, Leilani takes pride in reflecting on her roots.

Coming up, her mother was constantly working so Leilani often had to figure out how to care for herself. One of the largest challenges like any black girl, was managing her thick and curly hair. Ranging from detangling creams and sprays to just rocking the natural ‘fro, she did what she could with what she had. When she grew older, she started to go to the beauty salon to get her hair pressed with heat, creating a straight hairstyle which would last about 3 weeks at a time. Leilani now explains how, “[Natural] hair is important because it compliments our beautiful skin and it allows us the flexibility to be who we want to be in different settings.”

Although Leilani got to where she is now by diligence and perseverance, she also noted that her hair has helped her to stand out in the workplace as well. She explained how different styles she practiced kept the energy fresh and bold and “it really spoke to the type of work [she] wanted to be known for, the type of openness [she] wanted to convey, the type of discipline that [she] wanted to have in [her] work.” Being financially independent at a young age, Leilani has had many jobs throughout her career and much experience.

From simple waitress to head of human executive resources lead for the San Francisco Giants, she has faced many triumphs as well as hurdles.

Natural hair referen

Years ago, Leilani sat patiently as her stylists were repeatedly pushing and pulling and parting sections to form thin strands of hair intertwined within itself. Her new look, sisterlocks, would take a total 11 hours of pure dedication and patience. Her scalp tingles at every tug but all she could do was close her eyes and wait for the long process to be over. What seems like days go by and finally she is finished. Making her way to the mirror, she was startled at first by what she saw but knew with time she would adjust. She felt powerful though different. She felt more connected to her ancestors now than she ever did with a chemical hair press.

nce

Sisterlocs reference

Braid reference

Cornrow reference

For one of her first jobs, she decided to carry out her dream of traveling the world and helping others as a stewardess. United Airlines was allowing persons of 18 years old of interest to apply and train them for the job. When Leilani got to the interview, she was told that she could not participate, as her hair was “not the look they were trying It was and is not uncommon to hear the phrase, to convey.” “good hair” as a person with 4C type hair. Generation upon generations of people have collectively shared an unhealthy attachment to the thought of long, perfectly curled, non heavily textured hair often associated with people of lighter complexions. This idea further ideates that natural black hair is unprofessional and uncanny, and compresses the 4C community into a marginalized group of conformity to white aesthetics.

Next Steps

Now at Impossible Foods, Leilani implements the freshly passed CROWN Act, ensuring that hair discrimination is terminated in the workplace. Leilani recalls feeling frustrated after the incidents of hair prejudice but says in the long run,“it opened the door for other careers that I could pursue to make sure that no candidate interested in the job would ever have to face such displeasure.”

Her next steps include continuing to experiment in her sisterlock journey, maintaining diversity health at work, as well as helping her nieces further understand the beauty, potential and power that their hair holds.

She often explains to her girls how, Freedom to show up in whatever way that represents power and justice.” She regularly encourages them to step out of their comfort zones when it comes to venturing hairstyles.

Although many challenges have risen with dismantling white trend normality, Leilani says the difference between her hair and the color of her skin are nonexistent. Despite the institutionalized bias, she is hopeful that with the CROWN Act in effect, more acceptance for different communities and people will stem.

Leilani Gayles

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Deilani Harris is a 17 year old junior at Los Altos High School and a Freestyle Animation student. She believes that through hard work and determination, even the seemingly unachievable can be done. Deilani spends her time writing poetry, capturing photography, painting, drawing, and exploring fashion and music. Going forward, she has the goal of going to college, continuing to learn different artistic skills and putting them to use in her everyday life.

Scan for personal website

Cover art designed by Deilani Harris