He doesn’t get to state the struggles directly caused by his parents actions? In what way does that make sense? Just because he’s had more opportunities doesn’t mean they haven’t come with their own set of additional struggles. I can speak up against police brutality and frankly no one gives a damn. Man made his own demonstration and got vilified. Not sure I want his opportunities despite our somewhat similar struggles in early life.

Maybe you should take your own words to heart. This whole time your downplaying Colin’s struggles.

All while not having to do it with black hair. And all the baggage that come with it.

So the problem with what you keep banging your head against is the definition of what is acceptable as a black man was not determined by black hair. It was a deliberate strategy to force you into a more white mold. And even the more strict requirements back in the day were often more strict for black people. Any job where hair length was an issue when your hair grows out rather then down often meant your were subjected to random definitions of to long was. Your manger changes and they declare your hair which was fine on Friday is now unkempt on Monday. HR wouldn’t back you. It’s why even today as you seem to think standards are less there os legislation being passed to protect said hairstyles.

What you want to believe isn’t backed by reality.

The double standard comes from dressing well means conforming to things your hair isn’t capable of naturally.

Thug hasn’t changed. Any thing outside what I stated had negative connotations to it. Large Afros are often seen as aggressive and militant. Afro puffs childish. You can pick any historical black hairstyle and there have been negative associations with it.

As for what they should have been teaching him. One educate themselves first. Realize their bias. As for teaching, be yourself. End of day he was a child and it was his hair. Hair is one of the few things children actually have some control of in their lives and they should be allowed to express themselves. My self perception got immeasurably better when the barber kicked my mom out of my haircuts.

And to be fair bias is not a white or black thing. I got it from both sides. One of my teachers great educator helped drive and foster my love of technology. Also once said it’s to bad I didn’t get that good hair from your momma. She didn’t mean anything negative by it. At that time straighter hair was still seen as an overall positive in the black community.

His parents isolating from his culture casually would have had impact. Intentional or not.

Not well said at all. Just really doubled down on the double standard.

The problem is 20 years ago white folks could wear the same hairstyles and not be viewed as unprofessional just coming back from vacation. There were also many other black hairstyles that were seen unprofessional. You pretty much had low and tight if you were a guy, or straightened as a woman.

His parents may have been trying to teach a lesson, but they taught the wrong one.

Souce: half black half white guy who heard similar things from their white mother. Little older then Colin.