If You Google "Unprofessional Hairstyles for Work," These Are the Problematic Results
Microsoft's Chatbot isn't the only insentient technology being problematic: Try Googling "professional hairstyles for work" and then Googling "unprofessional hairstyles for work." Notice the difference between the two search results? Twitter user BonKamona did, spotting a racial divide between what Google deems professional and unprofessional.
I saw a tweet saying "Google unprofessional hairstyles for work". I did. Then I checked the 'professional' ones pic.twitter.com/5KLg7FZ6Hq
The people in a search for professional hairstyles is predominantly white. Conversely, people in searches for unprofessional are mostly black — though for some reason, Elizabeth Banks as The Hunger Games' Effie Trinket makes a surprise appearance.
Twitter user MalumDube pointed out the irony of a similar style worn by Rachel McAdams was somehow deemed "unprofessional" when worn by a black woman.
@BonKamona @miniradebe_ buuuut these 2 are the same hairstyle. So now it's awkward. It's nice being white.pic.twitter.com/TI13PV2zdJ
Other users made a salient point that, while the images do appear in an "unprofessional" search, the images are actually linked to articles and Pinterest boards, denouncing the biases that black women face when it comes to society's constructed idea of professionalism.
oh how terrible... until you click on the results @BonKamonapic.twitter.com/AxScU1Ju4N
@BonKamona Actually the google search is a bit misleading because the majority of the first set are 'natural hairstyles you can wear to work
@BonKamona The rest are articles discussing the issue of afro/curly hair and the corporate stance towards it.
@BonKamona @ugobananas don't mean to start an argument, but this is what you get when you click on them.pic.twitter.com/AgqzrlXo71
And some users pointed out that it might simply be how Google's algorithm worked, pulling keywords like "unprofessional" and associating it with "dreads" and "cornrows" — even if the article leaned toward positive.
@HipsterYogi But if forums are full of people saying "cornrows" or "dreads" are unprofessional, that's what Google will show.
@BonKamona Because it takes you to a post titled "It's Ridiculous To Say Black Women's Natural Hair Is "Unprofessional"! "
While it's difficult to pinpoint how Google's proprietary algorithm works, the argument that the images are being used in a positive light is beside the point; the very existence of these types of articles and social media posts illuminates how black women are discriminated against in the professional sector because of their "natural" hair.
