Note #4

Hello,

It’s been a few weeks. I took some time to rest and refuel before preparing for season two of Coils, Cash, and Culture. This fall, I’ll have you covered with conversations from founders plus a little something a special - stay tuned.

[Is it time to boycott ‘Black’ hair shops that mistreat Black customers?]

This week in London, CCTV footage circulated of a Black woman getting choked by a South Asian man working in Peckham Hair and Cosmetics. There are always three sides to the story and in this case based on the information circulating it appears that the man’s actions were based on suspicions the customer was going to steal. From the customer’s point of view, information is circulating that she had challenges getting a refund in line with UK retail law. Regardless, is it normal for a shop worker or owner to choke someone in this circumstance? Strong no from me. In my lifetime, I’ve seen theft and seen shop owners call the police and sometimes attempt to resolve the situation - but never attempt to choke someone. Choking someone seems like something you’d do when under threat and the footage circulating shows it was proactive.

Context is everything. Hair shops that provide products that are for Black and textured hair and have a customer base of mostly Black people are mostly owned by South Asian and Asian people. Here are some things that many Black women will tell you’ve they’ve experienced (lived by me too):

Followed around the store:

It’s normal for Black women to walk into these shops and expect that immediately they are followed. It is positioned by staff as trying to help however being followed around a store is beyond help. Imagine that happening in a supermarket, a clothing store, or a bakery. In addition, mostly the store employees position their reason for following you as trying to help you have zero experience or knowledge of Black and textured hair so how can they help you?

Odd refund and exchange policies:

Despite laws, it’s all too common that many of these stores have random and selective takes on what’s possible when it comes to refunds and exchanges. Why are Black women being put in a position to make their shopping experience for hair products an ultimatum? This is not a Netflix show, sometimes we may change our mind on a product and also sometimes product can be faulty. Yes, Black women are used to different rules however random terms for refunds and exchanges that don’t apply for other demographics when they buy hair products seems intentionally and greedy.

Ownership:

Historically, Black communities don’t own much in the industry that continues to underserve them. While I’m not a historian, there’s a lot of reasons that have led to this. Based on decades of poor customer service and treatment is it time we stop shopping where we aren’t wanted? Where we aren’t respected? Where we’re followed like criminals before we’ve touched anything?

Personally, I’ve walked into shops and walked out because of being followed and overtime have opted for longer wait times for products or paid a slightly higher price to purchase items online. Yes, I’d rather shop on Amazon or try new product before I’m made to feel I’m in Big Brother over items that are sometimes the price of a sandwich.

@usercoon

#racism #fypシ #racist #uk #is #racist #fyp #foryoupage #blackbritish #racialprofiling #peckham

Yesterday people stepped out to peacefully protest the store in response to the customer being arrested and not the shop employee too. As more Black owned brands pop-up and with better access to a range of eCommerce platforms, I hope Black communities choose to go where they are treated like any other customer. Our spending power is evident because in this circumstance it’s understood the man involved has chosen not to press charges. Which generally seems odd given one would think he felt in extreme danger to choke the customer in the first place.

Don’t be fooled. Black communities, particularly Black women, you’re spending on haircare is unmatched. There’s power in being selective on who we give our cash too. Any business that continues to follow Black customers around the store, watch them as they read the ingredient list, and make normal things like a refund difficult isn’t one that deserves our money. Period.

• Voice Online: Call to boycott Black hair stores after woman is assaulted

• Indie Wire: Hulu’s New Thriller ‘The Other Black Girl’ Hinges on Black Hair as a Powerful Storytelling Device

• Daily Dot: I should not be paying $15 for Mielle shampoo’: Target shopper calls out the price difference between products for curly hair and straight hair 

• Essence: Black Texas High School Student Suspended For Locs Despite New Law Banning Hair Discrimination

World Afro Day - This Friday

On September 15th it will be the 7th anniversary for World Afro Day. The day originates from the World Afro Legacy which is a charity and the first global charity dedicated to ending race-based hair discrimination, The charity builds on from the work started by World Afro Day but extends it to an all-year-round mission to embrace Afro hair and end hair discrimination through education, awareness events, campaigns and research.

In London, they are hosting an event - more details here. For those of you in other regions, be sure to look online to see if there’s any local events supporting the day.

Protect your mind.

Tyesha