Changing our Roots: How Having Black Hair Shapes Student Perspectives on Pursuing Careers in Broadcast Journalism

Abstract

Despite more acceptance for natural Black hair in the workplace nationwide, highly-skilled students of color hoping to enter broadcast journalism-related fields are often still deterred from pursuing their dream careers. This is due to concerns about the perception of their natural hair. Many broadcast journalism students report seeing mostly straight hair on TV - and that can be a discouragement to those whose looks don't conform. As students learn about the challenges Black women working in local TV news face, particularly when it comes to strict regulations on their hairstyles and hair textures, it can affect their enthusiasm for pursuing such careers. Focus groups conducted at the University of the District of Columbia and American University with broadcast journalism students highlight the importance of continuing to foster conversations and create policies that help to end hair-based discrimination, particularly in the field of broadcast journalism.