Singers Mel B and Beverley Knight are among leading voices urging parliament to make the UK the first western country to introduce a law to end Afro hair discrimination and to make to Afro hair a protected characteristic.
Held annually on 15 September, World Afro Day is a global day for the celebration and liberation for Afro hair.
Lead image credit: Pash Mitchell
This year's World Afro Day (WAD) campaign has seen open letters being written to MPs, urging them to vote for the recognition and prevention of Afro hair discrimination by updating the Equality Act 2010.
The campaigners are asking to make Afro hair a protected characteristic because “omission of hair as a protected characteristic from the law has facilitated everyday discrimination and the normalisation of afro hair as inferior in every sphere of life”.
And it's not the first time a call to action has been undertaken on World Afro Day.
So far the letter has been signed by 100 campaigners and supporters reports The Guardian, including the singer Beverley Knight, singer and presenter Fleur East and school leader Evelyn Forde MBE.
The letter is part of WAD’s 100 Voices, 100 Words campaign – each supporter has written 100 words on why the change in law is vital.
Campaigners have long argued that British children with Afro hair are unfairly penalised in school for wearing both natural and protective hairstyles like braids and cornrows, while adults in UK offices also face discrimination, harassment and assault.
Singer Mel B shares her experience: “The very first video shoot I did as a Spice Girl for Wannabe, the stylists took one look at my hair and told me it had to be straightened. My big hair didn’t fit the pop star mould. But I stood my ground – backed by my girls – and I sang and danced as me, with my big hair, my brown skin and I was totally proud of who I was.
“So yes, I’m proud to support World Afro Day in its call for the Equality Act to protect against afro hair discrimination in the UK.”
