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London youth create first emojis for Black and mixed-race hairstyles

Reuters
11 Nov, 2024

The group aims to promote inclusivity and combat texturism in the digital world.

Young people in London hope to make the digital world more inclusive. Photo: Reuters
Young people in London hope to make the digital world more inclusive. Photo: Reuters
Answer this

What stereotypes exist about Black hair?

Answer this

What stereotypes exist about Black hair?

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Difficulty: Challenger (Level 3)

A group of young students and professionals in London, in the United Kingdom, are hoping to break down beauty stereotypes. Stereotypes are often unfair and untrue beliefs about a person or group of people.

The students want to make the digital world more inclusive. The group designed what they hope will become the first-ever emojis featuring Black and mixed-race hairstyles.

The project is a partnership between the youth-led organisation RISE.365 and the public relations agency Good Relations.

Their goal is to tackle texturism. This is a form of discrimination where Black hair is perceived as “unprofessional”, “unattractive”, or “unclean”.

A group of young people drew what the emojis should look like, and designers came up with the final product.

Answer: people incorrectly think it is unprofessional, unattractive or unclean

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