Halsey is unbothered by critics who want her to stay quiet about the subtle ways people of color encounter racism.
The singer ruffled a few feathers for noticing that hotels don't provide shampoos that accommodate people of color. With ads constantly promoting and pushing European beauty standards down people of color's throat, this is just one more reminder that kinky hair isn't a concern worth accommodating.
"I’ve been traveling for years now and it’s been so frustrating that the hotel toiletry industry entirely alienates people of color," she wrote on Twitter. "I can’t use this perfumed watered down white people shampoo. Neither can 50 percent of your customers. Annoying."
I’ve been traveling for years now and it’s been so frustrating that the hotel toiletry industry entirely alienates people of color. I can’t use this perfumed watered down white people shampoo. Neither can 50% of ur customers. Annoying.
— h (@halsey) April 27, 2018
But it wasn't really about the shampoos.
The 23-year-old was making a bigger point about how people of color are often forgotten in the beauty industry. Hotels reinforce the European beauty standards that dominate society by not providing a wide array of products for various hair textures.
I’m bothered by the idea white people are cool to participate in a luxury / convenience but POC cannot. It’s not about the shampoo. It’s a vehicle. Ur an idiot. https://t.co/5RdqZEjqFy
— h (@halsey) April 28, 2018
ur “normal” does not = everyone else’s. When u make white products the standard, it makes white the “normal”. I was only trying to provoke some thought about the way these things impact our perception. That’s all. ????????♀️ & yea, I agree, hotel shampoo just sucks in general!
— h (@halsey) April 28, 2018
Many people were quick to call the singer dumb for pointing this out. Longtime fans could not wrap their heads around the fact that racism is all around us, touching every aspect of a person of color's life.
No. I am Not. https://t.co/fSW1fMKfwW
— h (@halsey) April 27, 2018
How can u have lived ur entire life without knowing that people of color and white people require different hair care products. https://t.co/PGDtdReHTV
— h (@halsey) April 27, 2018
Months prior to this incident, Halsey talked about how being born to a white mother and a black father in New Jersey impacted her life.
"I'm proud to be in a biracial family, I'm proud of who I am, and I'm proud of my hair," she told Playboy.
Being a white-passing biracial singer made discussions about race even more poignant because people were more likely to listen to her.
"I'm white-passing. I've accepted that about myself, and have never tried to control anything about black culture that's not mine. That is ultimately my greatest frustration with the public perception of any sort of activism: the mentality of, Well, it's not affecting me. Open your f*cking eyes," she said.
The point is that mass production of those products as the standard is part of a greater problem of disenfranchisement. If white ppl can enjoy the luxury/convenience, there should be an option for everyone to. Its an “insignificant” example of a bigger problem. That’s all! https://t.co/gWxHoboXCm
— h (@halsey) April 27, 2018
She acknowledges that she has the wealth to get the products she desires but it will not stop her from advocating for others.
Even more, Halsey isn't apologizing to the butthurt masses either for calling out the truth as she sees it.
Who knew me acknowledging that white hair care products are the national standard (while POC are confined to a tiny aisle) would piss so many people off ????????♀️ not sorry.
— h (@halsey) April 27, 2018
