By Kina Walker
Fashion can be political. A replica of historical fashion can remind people of experiences and sometimes political statements. An afro can signify the black liberation movement or political aggression, depending on the perception of the viewer. Political fashion is more than a Met Gala appearance demanding taxation of the rich. It’s an entertaining way to make a political statement, but it’s not the meat and bones of political fashion. It’s the Hollywood version. What some might call "performative activism," logically, a dress won’t produce a policy change. What is more important to analyze in terms of political fashion is the way our everyday decisions have evolved into the political realm and how those political implications have created intersecting oppression.
Black hair is just hair.
Black hair has been deemed unprofessional and inappropriate in many social settings. It wasn’t until 2019 that the Crown Act was passed to ensure equality for black (African) hair in the work environment. The Crown Act has not been passed in all states. It's critical to recognize that some black people have been forced to conform to Eurocentric beauty standards as a means of survival. What I think people fail to realize is that straightening black hair every day is extremely damaging. This is none other than violent assimilation into a culture that has deemed black hair a threat. This is physical harm. Many times, I have worn my hair in an afro and almost daily it incites conversation from others that I’m not interested in having. While I’ve also received uncomfortable looks and expressions of disgust, unfortunately, black hair continues to be considered a luxury to wear when, in fact, it's a necessity.
Women’s bodies are not your business.
The bodies of women have been dissected into popular images for advertisements, and women’s bodies are constant topics of conversation without further thoughts about how such topics incite violence. According to the delusional man, a short skirt becomes an invitation for a flirty comment. A woman who is dressed provocatively is often considered promiscuous, while a lady in a suit is a businesswoman or a bitch. The clothes women wear have been socialized into categories that create negative experiences. Hey, Patriarchy.
Teenage girls are often met with resistance regarding their fashion choices because of predatory men and sexist values. In high school, girls are taught to cover themselves, hide their shoulders, and keep their skirts below their knees. Instead of teaching boys to respect girls’ bodies and re-evaluate sexist dress codes, girls are constantly being censored. The result of these rules is that young girls learn to feel shame about their bodies. But furthermore, it unfortunately prepares women for a world where violence can be justified depending on the length of their skirt. Clothing is political, and the politics can be rooted in sexism. As we try to deconstruct dress codes that are inherently sexist, we can’t forget the intersecting experiences of women of color and regulations against natural hair.
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