Double standards. Society is built on them, and although they’re biased by design, we can’t help but feel offended when they don’t work in our favor. We’re all aware of the double standards Black people face in regards to our race, but some of them are obviously outrageous.
Here’s a list of double standards that work in favor of white folks. Because you better believe if a Black person were caught doing any of these things, there’d be hell to pay.
Barefoot While Interviewing
Now, we all love Angelina Jolie, but just like the rest of America, we were caught off guard when the Hollywood star walked onto Jimmy Fallon’s show with no shoes on... yes, you read that right.
Of course, the actress had a pretty good reason for ditching her shoes. Apparently, Jolie broke her toe the day before appearing on Jimmy Fallon, and despite trying to find a comfortable shoe to wear, she just couldn’t do it.
...But if a Black actress walked on stage without anything on her feet, she’d probably receive more than laughter and cheers from the live audience.
Make Up vs. No Makeup
Actress Pamela Anderson has been able to reinvent herself from the provocative sex symbol of the 1990s to now a polished, reserved middle-aged woman who has even ditched makeup all together in honor of her late make-up artist, according to Women’s Health. Since Anderson has been spotted without makeup, she’s been called everything from “fun” to a “saint.”
Even more so, many say Anderson’s no makeup look is the beginning of a movement “I didn’t realize that it was going to resonate with so many people. I had people coming up to me and thanking me,” Anderson told Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager. “It’s just really interesting to see the ripple effect it’s had,” she continued.
But while Anderson’s getting all the praise and Hollywood opportunities like her new film, “The Last Showgirl,” let’s remember she wasn’t the first to do so in recent years. Does anyone remember when Alicia Keys did the same thing?
Yes, how could we forget...in 2016, Keys declared she wouldn’t be wearing makeup, and oh, did it cause quite a bit of controversy. People once said Keys was “trying to hard” to be natural and different, just for everyone to praise Anderson less than 10 years later. Now, that’s a double standard by definition!
Bringing Politics to Sports
Remember when Fox host Laura Ingraham told Lebron James to “shut up and dribble” after the Lakers star criticized President Donald J. Trump? We do too! Or how about when Colin Kaepernick was black balled from the NFL for taking a knee during the National Anthem? To this day, Kaepernick still can’t play.
But on the flip side, San Francisco 49ers’— Keapernick’s former team— player Nick Bosa can wear a MAGA hat on the field with little consequences. Bosa was fined $11,000 for the offense, according to the NFL, but when Black athletes are fined, fired, harassed, threatened and belittled for speaking up on issues that matter, you can see there’s an obvious double standard in the sports world.
Political Foul Mouths
Trump ushered in a new wave of politicians who often negate political correctness and say wherever they want, whenever they want— and most dangerously— however they want. Trump has been praised for his foul-mouth, divisive language over the years, with many calling him a “breath of fresh air,” but oh, if Trump was a different person, we’d all likely be having another conversation.
Let’s just say if former President Barack Obama or Vice President Kamala Harris incited an insurrection after a presidential election didn’t swing in their favor, the U.S. government wouldn’t hesitate to take legal actions against them.
Here’s the thing... We all know how the country operates and who it operates for. What’s important is despite the double standards and despite the unleveled playing field, Black folks— like always— come out on top! And that’s something to celebrate.