Uncomfortable Conversations: Race in Advertising and Public Relations
I am a first-generation American and woman of color. For reference, this is important. Today, I took a professional headshot for school and I realized, out of the many school photos I have taken from grade 1 to my senior year in college, there is only one professional school photo taken of me with my hair in its natural state (that one photo is at the bottom of this blog).
For the past year, I have been telling myself that the way my hair grows is acceptable and professional, yet I still chose to straighten it for today's photo. While a part of me feels as though I did not accurately represent my community by wearing my hair straightened for a professional headshot, I also know that it was not rooted in shame or an act of defiance. I chose to spend the three long hours straightening my unpredictable curly hair not because I felt like I had to, but because I wanted to.
In 2019, the CROWN Act was created to protect against race-based hairstyle discrimination, protecting hair texture and protective styles in the workplace and public schools. As of 2023, 20 states and 40 cities, including local areas in Michigan, have signed the CROWN Act. Although this is a step towards equity and inclusivity, the persistent struggles black and brown women face concerning our hair remain prominent.
Black or brown women in advertising and public relations, or in any other professional field for that matter, understand that the way we present ourselves in professional settings is of the utmost importance. Fortunately and unfortunately, the representation will usually refer back to how our hair is styled and whether it is deemed appropriate for the occasion. For this reason, we experience internal debates when deciding what state and style our hair should be in headshots, graduations, job interviews, first days, special events, and fill-in-the-blank because the list goes on.
What I realized today after my straight-hair headshot, was that many black and brown women still feel as though they have to manipulate their hair to be seen as professional, a mindset that has molded through years of racial bias and discrimination. Whether you are a part of the black or brown community or not, it is crucial to understand the significance behind every coil, curl, twist, loc, knot, braid, etc. It is then important that you not only understand diversity and inclusion but that you make it a point to represent it. Students, that representation can begin in class.
Photo by Delmaine Donson via Getty Images.
Who Was in the Room?
There is no denying that there have been previous campaigns that failed to represent black and brown communities or have done so in an inaccurate manner. Some infamous campaigns beg the question, “Who was in the room building the campaign?”, because it is clear that the inequality minorities experience is not truly understood, hence inauthentic. As a student studying advertising or public relations, you can learn to avoid making future racial diversity mistakes within your career now.
When conducting interviews or focus groups, interview those outside your racial or ethnic background to gather insights that are representative of various backgrounds
When building campaigns and projects, understand who your audience is and how to speak to them authentically
Do not just say to advocate for diversity in your school campaigns and projects, act on it by displaying it
Attend Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion events
Understand that advocacy for diversity is long term
Recognize microaggressions and lack of representation and make the necessary changes
Acknowledge that diversity includes: race, age, gender identity, ethnic heritage, sexual orientation, and mental/physical characteristics
Why is This Important?
As young Ad/PR professionals, one goal to accomplish in undergrad is to establish authentic communication skills, ones that can be obtained by broadening one’s perspective. I challenge you as students to aim towards representing diversity, equity, and inclusivity, not because you feel like you have to, but because you want to.
About Kaedry
Kaedry Taveras is a senior pursuing a degree in Advertising and Public Relations. This will be her second semester with GrandPR as an Account Associate with an emphasis in design. She also joined The National Student Advertising Competition (NSAC) Team at Grand Valley State University this past fall. Kaedry is dedicated to expressing her creativity and she aspires to become a Creative Designer. Through GrandPR, Kaedry hopes to continue to build her expertise and experience within the Advertising and Public Relations field.