After fighting for the representation of all bodies and against the diktat of social networks, Dove stands up against the bullying that black women and young people suffer because of their hair. The Crown is the Unilever brand’s new education program to combat this systemic racism.
“No one should be punished for the way their hair naturally grows on their head. However, it’s no secret that discrimination against natural black hair still exists,” says Dove.
To highlight this phenomenon and find solutions, the brand conducted a survey.
The numbers unveiled by Dove show that:
• 53% of black mothers say their daughters have experienced racial discrimination as young as five years old
• 66% of black children in predominantly white schools have experienced racial prejudice because of their hair
According to Dove, this phenomenon continues into adulthood. “Black women are 1.5 times more likely to be fired from their jobs because of their hair. We can’t ignore this reality. No one should be denied opportunities or unfairly targeted because of their natural hair texture or hairstyle. No one should have to endure this treatment at school, at work or anywhere else,” the brand explains.
Impact on self-confidence
While 90 percent of black children say they think their hair is beautiful, 81 percent of those who attend predominantly white schools say they would like their hair to be straight. “Why? Every day, Black children are exposed to microaggressions from their classmates and teachers, who tell them, …