Black Female Hairstyle | “Offensive” Hair Regulations for Black Women - Styleite | Blog Black Hairstyles

Black Female Hairstyle | “Offensive” <b>Hair</b> Regulations for <b>Black Women</b> - Styleite | Blog Black Hairstyles

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“Offensive” <b>Hair</b> Regulations for <b>Black Women</b> - Styleite Posted: 30 Apr 2014 09:37 AM PDT The Army finally has to pay attention to one third of its population. The military announced yesterday that it will review AR 670-1, their grooming regulations that servicewomen have been calling discriminatory. The regulations disallow twists, "dreadlocks", and cornrows larger than a quarter of an inch in diameter, which isn't practical for some hair types that women of color have. Blatant racism masquerading as safety is something we've seen countless institutions strive for. We presume these mandates come on the authority of superior intelligence from the Department of Defense, made of people clueless about hairdos. This demeaning-looking shot (above) from the regulations was the one that circulated the internet, and was only one photo of a series depicting other demographics and other hair offenses. But those weren't the unreasonable ones, which is why people have been petitioning the unauthorized hairstyles. The female members of the Congressional Black Caucus recently wrote a letter to the Department of Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel encouraging him to reconsider the updates to the regulation. It explains to the Army why they need basic training in how to speak to people. …the use of words like "unkempt" and "matted" when referring to traditional hairstyles worn by women of color are offensive and biased. The assumption that individuals wearing these hairstyles cannot maintain them in a way that meets the professionalism of Army standards indicates a lack of cultural sensitivity conducive to creating a tolerant environment of minorities. In other words, wake up, you sound disgusting. Many African American women put forth great effort in ensuring their hair is maintained in a way that allows them to be acknowledged for their ability and commitment to the tasks and challenges before them, rather than their appearance. We urge you to consider the direction in which the updated regulation will ultimately lead the Armed Forces. This will have to end in less offensive grooming regulations. [Curly Nikki] Related Links: Blogger Gives U.S. Army a Much-Needed Schooling On African American Hair Belgian Designer's Runway Demands Fashion "Stop Racism" Are We Being Too PC About Katy Perry's Accidental Racism?

<b>Black female</b> troops accuse Army of banning natural <b>hair styles</b> | The <b>...</b> Posted: 03 Apr 2014 06:59 AM PDT Black female troops accuse Army of banning natural hair styles A petition to the White House calling on the U.S. Army to reconsider its grooming policy, which many Black female soldiers are calling biased, has garnered thousands of signatures. The Army Times reports that of the signatures collected, thousands are from soldiers who are unhappy with the Army's new grooming standards. At issue are the Army's changes to Army Regulation 670-1, which bans twists and multiple braids larger than a quarter in diameter. Locs are not allowed at all and cornrows are strictly regulated. According to Army spokesman Paul Prince, locs and twists have always been banned, so the U.S. Army's new guidelines just provide soldiers with guidance. The regulations also show pictures of banned hairstyles, many of which are of Black women. "I've been in the military six years, I've had my hair natural four years, and it's never been out of regulation. It's never interfered with my head gear," Sgt. Jasmine Jacobs, of the Georgia National Guard, who wears her hair in two twists, told the Army Times. Jacobs says because of the new regulations, she's "at a loss" over what to do with her hair. Her sentiment makes sense because the Army's current regulations, by banning both locs and twists, are banning Black women from wearing most natural hairstyles. With these regulations in place, the only natural style available to women of color are a short afro or fade. "Most Black women, their hair doesn't grow straight down, it grows out," said Jacobs, who started the White House petition. "I'm disappointed to see the Army, rather than inform themselves on how black people wear their hair, they've white-washed it all." "Females with natural hair take strides to style their natural hair in a professional manner when necessary; however, changes to AR 670-1 offer little to no options for females with natural hair," wrote Jacobs in the White House petition. For now, Jacobs says she'll wear a wig because she refuses to relax her hair.

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