The Little-Known Racist Side Of The Eyewear Industry

Or how systemic racism lurks in the most surprising places

Photograph credit: Ekua King

“Your daughter’s going to need glasses”, the ophthalmologist said to my Mum. My heart dropped. I was 14, the kids were already bullying me at school, and glasses were going to give them another reason to tease me.

I squinted and could make out the letters on the examination whiteboard that lay a short distance away.

“But I can …