User:Mckalet/Respectability politics

Respectability Politics
Respectability politics or the politics of respectability is a form of moralistic discourse used by some prominent figures, leaders or academics who are members of various marginalized groups to consciously set aside and undermine cultural and moral practices thought to be disrespected by wider society, especially in the context of the family and good manners. The concept is a subject of social science, politics, and race, and therefore attracts healthy debate, and some level of controversy. The strategy focuses on the belief that assimilating to the dominant group's standards or expectations can justify more inclusive and fair treatment.

Black Women and Respectability Politics
Throughout history, Black women have faced a double burden of racism and sexism, which has led to them being stereotyped as hypersexual, loud, and aggressive. In response, many Black women have felt the need to present themselves as prim and proper, in order to avoid these negative stereotypes and gain acceptance from society.

While respectability politics may seem like a way for Black women to navigate a society that is hostile to them, it can also be deeply problematic. By placing the burden of respectability on Black women, it implies that their worth as individuals is tied to their ability to conform to white, middle-class norms. This can lead to a culture of judgment and policing within the Black community, where women are criticized for their clothing choices, speech patterns, and even their hair. Respectability politics can also be used as a tool of oppression against Black women who do not conform to these expectations. Women who are seen as too loud, too sexual, or too unconventional are often shamed and ostracized by their peers, and may even be seen as a threat to the wider community.

CROWN Act
The CROWN (Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair) Act is a law aimed at prohibiting discrimination based on hair texture and hairstyles that are traditionally associated with certain racial and ethnic groups. The CROWN Act was first introduced in California in 2019 and has since been passed in several states and municipalities across the United States. The Act acknowledges that natural hair is a racial trait and that discrimination based on hair texture and style is a form of race discrimination. This is important because it acknowledges that race plays a role into how we asses people's appearance and therefore worthiness. The Act protects people from being discriminated against in employment, housing, and public accommodations based on their natural hair, including hairstyles such as afros, braids, locks, twists, and bantu knots. The CROWN Act is seen as an important step in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace and broader society by removing outdated and discriminatory grooming policies that disproportionately affect people of color. The CROWN Act has gained support from civil rights organizations, educators, and policymakers, who believe that it is an important step towards creating a more equitable and inclusive society.

Criticism
Respectability politics can have negative consequences on the marginalized group in question. Some argue that they reinforce the idea that worthiness and eligibility criteria should remain legitimate standards for determining whether a group is worthy of inclusion. They also promote in-group policing or in-group ostracization because they prioritize sharing similarities with the dominant group, depicting the marginalized group as less than others. Respectability Politics may also promote a victim-blaming mentality. By asking marginalized groups to assimilate to prove their worthiness, it may make it easier to overlook systemic issues and blame the individual for not separating themself from their lesser-than group. Another negative consequence of Respectability Politics is it creates a Moral Binary that puts the traits of the dominant group on a pedestal. This phenomenon could be harmful because people who do not meet the group's standards can be deemed bad people and allotted less nuanced portrayals of themselves in the public eye.