Richmond women suspended for hair styles

[Educatingblue]

It's pretty sad that these women are basically being asked to assimilate to mainstream culture. Everyone does not want to wear their hair straight and flowing. I proudly wear my hair curly everyday in a head band or pulled up. People need to educate themselves on different hair types. As the article mentioned, people of African diaspora have been wearing braids forever and this is nothing new!

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by Educatingblue

It's pretty sad that these women are basically being asked to assimilate to mainstream culture. Everyone does not want to wear their hair straight and flowing. I proudly wear my hair curly everyday in a head band or pulled up. People need to educate themselves on different hair types. As the article mentioned, people of African diaspora have been wearing braids forever and this is nothing new!

Yes, people of the African diaspora have been wearing their hair in brands forever.

Not to be confused with braids, twists, and dreds being the only unstraightened hair options.

My only issue is with this hair regulation not being documented so these women could know beforehand. I've seen establishments ban cornrows and not get any complaint from the blacks who worked there because these blacks thought cornrows created a certain image, anyway. I've also seen predominantly white establishments ban whites from wearing braided, dred locked, spiked, and dyed hairstyles. If the policy applies to all, it applies to all and that's fine with me.

[DSTCHAOS]

New Jersey had settled a facial hair lawsuit with Muslim correction officers.

But places like New York and Arkansas still have strict hair regulations that could prevent these two women from working there. Arkansas is more strict than New York's. I don't know if these regulations have been updated recently.

New York:
http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache...lnk&cd=1&gl=us

Arkansas:
http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache...nk&cd=10&gl=us

[OneTimeSBX]

you know, i dont mind being told at the beginning that my hair will be a problem. its when ive been at a job for umpteen years and then all of a sudden it is a problem. i can understand if it became a security issue due to some situation that occurs, that is fine. but out of the blue? hmmm...

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by OneTimeSBX

you know, i dont mind being told at the beginning that my hair will be a problem. its when ive been at a job for umpteen years and then all of a sudden it is a problem. i can understand if it became a security issue due to some situation that occurs, that is fine. but out of the blue? hmmm...

I agree.

I wonder if there's something in the guidelines that says these rules can be changed without notice.

[alum]

Last year I remember hearing about Hampton University restricting hairstyles even further than its previous regulations. The admin's reasoning was that certain styles were unprofessional and current students' hairstyles were not grandfathered from the barber chair. Are Hampton faculty and staff are under the same strictures?

[OneTimeSBX]

although i know a lot of people dont agree, tattoos, piercings, and hair styles do not dictate what kind of person you are. it also doesnt dictate what kind of employee you are/will be. i understand looking "professional", and i feel at times it is absolutely necessary. BUT unless these things cause some sort of risk, they are just that! these people know they cant get jobs with 3 facial piercings (unless of course it is a tattoo parlor!) or blue/green/magenta hair. so it needs to be clearly documented that rules can change due to renewed security measures/threats, and changing styles. if i go into a job with that secured in my head, by all means, tell me to change it when necessary. ill still be upset but not as much. and im also not in any position to fight it or sue either!

[REE1993]

LOL in Arkansas, a ponytail is considered an "extreme" hairstyle.

[OneTimeSBX]

a ponytail? my god its been around for hundreds of years!