Racist Or Not. African type Hair?

A girl I've been seeing works in a Law office and just got promoted. She is now in the front where everyone can see her. She was approached by her director to change her hair style because it looked "unprofessional".

She is Half African American and half Scottish and has red spirally hair like spiral pasta almost kinda like that felicity chick, Actually she looks alot like Cree Summers hair and all. Her hair is parted in the middle and down the sides to her shoulders.

She cant perm her hair because it doesn't work on her, plus it makes it fall out. Its been implied that its not the hair style its the "look" of the hair, nappy. She thinks maybe they think she dies it red but thats her natural hair. Also the girl before her (black chick) was fired shortly after she wore her hair in a short natural cut due to hair breakage, worked there 3 years gone in 3 weeks.

The Question; is this racist or not. And should she leave or try to sue for discrimination or something?

Racist Or Not. African type Hair?

Peculiar in any event, if it is clean and a natural style.

Why SHOULD we have to get into hair breakage from perms? What is a company doing telling her to change a natural hair style?

Pink spikes I could understand, but parted in the middle and combed?

Racist Or Not. African type Hair?

Hmmm . . . it sounds suspicious.

I have no doubt that somehow some employers have the idea that "natural" African hair looks unprofessional. But if that's true, then it would be an excuse to fire many blacks. So I doubt it's allowed.

I am virtually certain that this situation has apready been litigated. I would advise this woman to seek out a good lawyer.

Racist Or Not. African type Hair?

Certainly not racist. She reflects that company's image and the employer has every right to ask to have your apperance kept to his satisfactioin. The option here for her is to find another job!

Racist Or Not. African type Hair?

it's not like she has a big ole ghetto syle with pink and glitter and some crazy bee hive !

Sounds like the boss is a bit racist to me!!!

I'd SUE

Racist Or Not. African type Hair?

the only thing would be to prove it...sounds like its crazy its just hair

Racist Or Not. African type Hair?

The only thing an employer can complain about is hair color and only if it's not natural. Pink, green, blue, etc. I'm guessing they can have a go at dreds too because most people don't take care of them properly.

As long as her hair is groomed, doesn't smell, or have any bugs her employer cannot say anything. If they do it is discrimination and she can sue. However, first she should speak to her employer about their attitude towards her hair. If that doesn't work or she mysteriously ends up fired, call a lawyer.

Racist Or Not. African type Hair?

If she can't persuade her boss that her hair is neat, natural in both color and curl, then she should try to set up a meeting among her boss, a respected hair stylist, and herself to determine (1) is there a style that would be acceptable to both her boss and herself, (2) what is it about her hair that her boss finds "unprofessional", (3) is her boss's request for a change reasonable from all points of view, and (4) is this truly a case of unacceptable prejudice?

Racist Or Not. African type Hair?

Let's face it. There are professional hairstyles and there are styles that aren't. Where I live, a typical professional style for a black woman is permed and pulled back, or permed and shoulder chin or shoulder length. Short and natural sounds professional. Also an option is very tidy locks.

There may be a cultural disconnect which makes the employer closed to hairstyles that are not shared by white women- that may be business appropriate. It is racist, but probably not illegally so.

There are many white employees who would not be allowed to have long hair for instance.

There is a dress code for all jobs and hair style goes along with it.

Racist Or Not. African type Hair?

she can sue, but only after getting hired someplace else. buisnesses that rely on clients coming in are very picky with looks, since they want clients feeling that theirs is a professional place with educated and experienced 'executives'.

Racist Or Not. African type Hair?

The answer...to ethnocentrism (and yes...racial discrimination)...is center page:

http://www.discoverb4a.com/7%20hair%20ca...

Racist Or Not. African type Hair?

There have been cases regarding this very issue. I can't think of the specifics of when I heard it, and I will leave the research to you, but I assure you the law is in her favor.

Try looking in overlawyered.com - I bet those cases were discussed there at the time they occurred. Or google until you find it. It is out there, I promise.