We have lost count of the number of times a black news anchor is accused of being unprofessional because she wears her natural hair or in this case a protective style while on air.
News Anchor Symone Woolridge shared on Facebook, some of the comments she received while broadcasting the news WREG News Channel 3 simply because she wore braids.
This was her caption on Facebook:
This is 2020–
You’ve probably seen a lot of black women rocking their natural hair or protective styles (like braids or twists), excited to finally feel free and comfortable to do so. However, there are still many people who think our hair is a problem. It’s a part of who we are, but never should it be a part of our value.
This is a message WREG News Channel 3 received last night as I anchored a newscast. A man said my braids are for teenagers and not professional. He also said I should “put pink in it” for tonight’s newscast. — I’ll leave what that insinuates to your own interpretation.
I’m only posting this to show how far we’ve come, yet how much work still needs to be done. Listening and learning can really change us. All of us. Let’s all try to do just that. And honestly, we have much more to focus on right now than black women’s hair.
Here are some of the comments Symone received:
The comments on Symone’s post was nothing short of full-on support and encouragement as people engaged with the negativity she received just for braids.
Read a few of the comments below:
Flora Isom: WHO determines what defines “professionalism” when it comes to hair? ?. This burns me up because as a black woman in corporate, I love wearing my hair in natural styles in a neat manner. Our hair does not come out of the scalp STRAIGHT, and does not define our level of intellect or professionalism. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK Symone!!!! MY BEAUTIFUL SISTER WITH BRAIDS!! ♥️?
Sarah Cox: I’ve noticed black people wearing more protective and natural styles. I think it’s amazing and long overdue. Simone your hair is gorgeous and so are you
Mitzi Agnew: The way a person conducts themselves tells you a lot about them, and your reply was one of the most professional and classy I’ve ever seen. You proved you’re confident in your own skin, and that person’s opinion clearly didn’t matter! Keep being you, because you’re absolutely beautiful!!
Rachel Carpenter: That just shows his ignorance!! His response says everything you need to know about what type of person he is. And yours say all that it needs to say about you. Don’t stoop to his level. You are above that. Walk with your head high and your beautiful braids flowing freely, just as your spirit should.
We agree with everyone who had something positive to say, at this point, people who write or say negative things about natural hair or protective styles really need to self evaluate.
I am glad Symone and other anchors are freely sharing their experiences because the more the ignorance is exposed the less tolerable it is.
Girl your braids are gorgeous, you gotta drop the deets on the stylist!!
Here is another story about another news anchor who unapologetically rocks her natural hair even with negative comments, inspiring kids in Dallas where she is from. Read here.
