hair racism...locs or not....

[MaMaBuddha]

hey my people...

i was reading this internet article called "Rastafarian Officer Fights for Dreadlocks" here are a few excepts...

A Rastafarian police officer recently taken off Baltimore`s streets because of his dreadlocks may soon be fighting in court to walk his beat.
A six-year veteran of the force, Antoine Chambers was reassigned from his beat as a uniformed officer to desk duty after telling police officials that he would not obey a new division regulation barring officers from wearing dreadlocks, cornrows and braids

Chambers argued that cutting his dreadlocks would violate his religious beliefs as a Rastafarian, who grow their hair long and believe their long locks are supported by the Bible.

"They wanted me to cut off my locks completely," says Chambers. "I told my supervisor that the policy violated my religious and spiritual beliefs and that I would not obey a policy just because the department wanted everyone to look the same.

Chambers argues that his dreadlocks are well-kept and that he told his supervisors that they were not noticeable underneath his police cap. The Baltimore Police Department cannot prove that there is any compelling reason that Chambers dreadlocks would prevent him from doing his job effectively.

In addition, Sullivan argues that the policy is racist.

"Of course, we recognize that people other than African-Americans wear this hairstyle," Sullivan said. "But it is most commonly associated with African-Americans. I have no doubt in my mind, no doubt at all, that if this was a Jewish officer asking for his right to wear a yarmulke on the job the department would honor his religious right. This case is no different. A Rastafarian officer`s religious right to wear his dreadlocks is no different than a Jewish officers right to wear his yarmulke.....


http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/frown.gif now of course this got me to thinking about corporate america. the stiff suit, short hair cut and the so-call proper sway of speaking.

none of that applies to me. i am a beautiful african american woman with locs(i find nothing dreadful about locs) , piercings and tattoos for years and years, my parents have always told me think i must conform to the white man's corporate world because that is the only way i was going to get a good paying job. and for years i thought this way and then one day i woke up and said i've had enough. i am going to be me and make me happy.

there has been several times that i haven't gotten a job because of my hair, i am sure. and i must say i find that ridiculous because my hair has nothing to do with my performance. But the way of the world today "THE OLDER WHITE MAN'S" that is not appropriate in the corporate environment.

the funny thing is i even get rude and mean comments from my own race, i am not making with a race topic.

i currently work in a corporate atmosphere and even when i walked in the door i demanded respect and i let them know that i was well qualified. my hair and everything else had nothing to do with anything.

as i write this is...this article related to hair...but i want YOU..my fellow greeks and interests to let me know in what other ways you feel you have been discriminated against, ex...skin color, facial hair, piercings, tattoos...etc...


tell me what you think.....


peace and love and shay-butta



------------------
"the ORIGINAL soror from the dirtiest part of the south"
(cheese grits, hogmahs and fatback)

MaMaBuddha
Delta Alpha/Epsilon Tau
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Innnnnncorporated.
Spring 94
the 24th Diva of Perfection

Alpha Phi Omega, Fraternity, Incorporated
Alpha Gamma Gamma
Fall '98

Order of Eastern Star
Prince Hall Affilated
Prince Hall #27

[preppie]

This has absolutely nothing to do with greek life........

[thatgirl]

Originally posted by preppie:
This has absolutely nothing to do with greek life........

So what. We have absolutely nothing better to do than to post on a message board. Lighten up, preppie.

Hey MaMaBuddha. I see you're keeping it rolling as usual. I saw this article on blackplanet, too. We just have too many battles to fight. What good reason could they possibly have for asking that man to cut his hair? It's not like he works in fast food! He's a police officer. They need as many good people as they can get. And you know that the 'no braids or dreads' rule only applies to ONE type of people. Hmm.. Some people never cease to amaze me.

Oh, and doesn't shea butter work miracles?! I love that stuff.

[This message has been edited by thatgirl (edited July 25, 2000).]

[preppie]

It just doesn't look that great to people who might actually come here looking for info on Greek life.

[Corbin Dallas]

Originally posted by thatgirl:
What good reason could they possibly have for asking that man to cut his hair? It's not like he works in fast food! He's a police officer. They need as many good people as they can get. And you know that the 'no braids or dreads' rule only applies to ONE type of people. Hmm.. Some people never cease to amaze me.

Without knowing how long these dreads are, I'd say it's the same reason they don't allow long hair whatever that reason is. yes, it does only apply to one type of people, the type that think their hair looks good in dreadlocks. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

------------------
Steve Corbin
Lambda Chi Alpha
Theta Kappa Chapter
Rose-Hulman Inst. of Tech.

[thatgirl]

Originally posted by preppie:
It just doesn't look that great to people who might actually come here looking for info on Greek life.

You know what? I'm sure that we aren't the only two people who have viewed this topic. The people who felt the same as you do probably just exited and found something that interested them more. It's no big deal. This is America, and there is more going on than Greek business, whether we like it or not.

[preppie]

Exactly that girl, and there are other sites that are devoted to such topics.

[Guy]

There's nothing wrong with wearing dreadlocks to do your job. Bob Marley had dreadlocks, and he's regarded as the greatest reggae artist of all time!

[Corbin Dallas]

Bob Marley was also in a profession where the wilder you look, the better. That's not the case when it comes to police officers. They want someone who is aesthetically pleasing that people feel safe patrolling their streets. Not that it's right, but a lot of people might find it unnerving to see someone with dreadlocks, long hair, a mohawk, tattoos all over their body, multiple body piercings, or what have you in a police uniform.

------------------
Steve Corbin
Lambda Chi Alpha
Theta Kappa Chapter
Rose-Hulman Inst. of Tech.

[Kitten 22]

I will say this, that if Rastafarian is his chosen religion, doesn't he have a right to practice it freely. The Constitution does guarantee freedom of religion. Does anyone think that his right to wear dreadlocks is protected under this law?

[thatgirl]

Originally posted by MaMaBuddha:
Chambers argues that his dreadlocks are well-kept and that he told his supervisors that they were not noticeable underneath his police cap. The Baltimore Police Department cannot prove that there is any compelling reason that Chambers dreadlocks would prevent him from doing his job effectively.


Doesn't that just say it all? Forget about aesthetically pleasing. It seems to me that people think that conformity is the only way that we can coexist. It's not. But I see that some people are still threatened by the sheer presence of a black man. Some things never change.

[thatgirl]

Originally posted by preppie:
Exactly that girl, and there are other sites that are devoted to such topics.
Get over it. The TOPIC should have told you enough. If you didn't want to read about it, then why did you come in? Geez. Run and tell one of the moderators if you think it's that doggone bad.

[Wynna]

So locs are wild and compared to mohawks? I wear my hair in locs and it really gets to me that when we choose not to wear our hair straightened and permed but in it's naturally coiled state, then we're wild. I understand that police and military officers are supposed to wear their hair short, but the man said that his boss told him to cut them off completely. Why?? Why can't he wear locs at all?

It makes me so upset that some believe, in order for African Americans to make it in this world, they must assimilate and conform to the White "majority." That's bull. It is not my intention to make this a race issue, but my hair is beautiful and will be beautiful whether I am in a reggae band or in corporate America.

Originally posted by Corbin Dallas:
Bob Marley was also in a profession where the wilder you look, the better. That's not the case when it comes to police officers. They want someone who is aesthetically pleasing that people feel safe patrolling their streets. Not that it's right, but a lot of people might find it unnerving to see someone with dreadlocks, long hair, a mohawk, tattoos all over their body, multiple body piercings, or what have you in a police uniform.

[Wynna]

Hey, I just noticed I graduated to Senior status!

[tickledpink]

I also work in a corporate atmosphere & I have seen coworkers as well as supervisors that have locs & braids and I think they look very professional (as for me -- I'm going with cornrows as soon as I can find a good braider). As far as the policeman is concerned, I am torn. I happen to think that well kept locs are very aesthetically pleasing. However, I can understand why the police force would want to be uniformed as far as hairstyle is concerned, and I do not believe it is a race issue. If they were to change their policy, then that would open the door for more than just locs (i.e. people with multicolored hairdo's, 1/2 shaved heads, pierced noses...). Yes, someone with locs can look very professional, and having locs does not impact one's ability to perform a job, but at what point would the line be drawn in permitting other hairstyles? I understand that this brother is saying that this is part of his religion, but someone else may be able to present the same argument.

[etienneSAI]

interesting topic (good to talk about something NOT related to greek life sometimes...hee hee. i'm with thatgirl when i say...chill the hell DOWN, preppie...)

i've actually been discriminated against for my piercings. it's not THAT bad...i have seven in my ears and one in my navel. my hair is red, but i have brighter red streaks in it (chemically, not naturally, unfortunately). i've had employers tell me i'd get fired if i didn't remove my earrings or dye my hair to a "natural" color. i can't help it if i want to look this way, right?! i work at victoria's secret where our dress code is all black. this i have no problem with. they've been good about my appearance except for NAIL POLISH! they think it's not professional to wear nail polish on the job! (can't deal with that, man...) i could see if i was working in food service adn it could chip off into someone's food *that makes me sick just thinking about it* but this is retail...calssy retail at that. and if i want to wear glittery nail polish the color of pond scum, i should be allowed to! hey, it matched my outfit....

etienne
sigma alpha iota-the hartt school of music...for now...

------------------
"red is the color of music and has been since the very earliest of times. the caps of faeries and musicians are well-nigh always red."~*~w.b.yeats

"I think that happiness is when you can let yourself feel every emotion you want at any time instead of being a lying little fuck." - Tori Amos

[Asia2000]

The man I am dating now wears his hear in locs. I love them. I help him take care of them, keep them fresh for him - I love it. (Hey, he learned to eat with chopsticks, we learn and we compromise and it's beautiful . . .)

Anyway, I've been with him watching him struggle to find a "real" job. Without going into too much detail, we pretty much knew that several times he was denied a position because of his "wild" hair. His locs are very well kept (with my help) - I understand if someone didn't keep them up at all -- any hairstyle unkempt is not pleasant.

I am sure much of it was racist, but there were times when other Blacks didn't hire him. I think it is also a part of conformity - just the brainwashing we all undergo going through public school and through society in general.

His poor mother pleads with him to cut them off so he can conform and join the professional working world.

This is one reason I really commend up and coming young businesses. Some, not all, have such open and new policies and visionaries. They appreciate and respect things like locs or piercings or what not. I wonder, though, if it will ever change. Tattoos have been around for a minute and barely hold any taboo anymore. Damn near every American has one, from corporate executive to local hood rat. But you will still find it rare for a company to allow it's employees to show them while on the clock.

[Corbin Dallas]

I personally have no problem with locks. I like the look of them, as long as they are well kept. All I'm saying is if they let him keep them, then what's to keep another police officer from growing his hair long, or something else, then just claiming it's part of his religion? I don't know what this police departments other rules are on hair, but maybe they added the locks, cornrows and braids rule as an extension (no pun intended) of rules against long hair or whatever.

------------------
Steve Corbin
Lambda Chi Alpha
Theta Kappa Chapter
Rose-Hulman Inst. of Tech.

[The Original Ape]

Originally posted by preppie:
This has absolutely nothing to do with greek life........

I beg to differ with you, Preppie. As we promote ourselves as leaders, we maintain that only by taking up issues of our people...and this is definetly an issue facing our people. You should know that we are shut out for one reason or another, but each of these reasons relate to our skin complexion or our culture. We should do all we can do to change the world's perception of us by showing our worth and standing up for our rights.

------------------

[33girl]

I read an article a looong time ago about dress codes and the people who hate them. It said that if a rule is applied equally to everyone, you can’t fight it – for example, Disney has rules against coloring your hair and even regarding what size earrings you wear! But since it applies to everyone it isn’t discrimination. However, I believe it said something about cornrows and dreads being exempt since they are largely particular to one race and to ban them would be discriminating.

Personally, I would MUCH rather see an officer with dreads than a mullet (aka the Billy Ray Cyrus/redneck haircut). If they are kept clean & tied back (and since the officer says they can’t even be seen under his cap) what is the difference?

[MaMaBuddha]

hey people...i am bad for a new day...

first of all preppie....you must be from the other side....so you don't understand!!!

keep it moving!!!!

[Bob]

Originally posted by 33girl:

Personally, I would MUCH rather see an officer with dreads than a mullet (aka the Billy Ray Cyrus/redneck haircut).

No kidding. Dreadlocks can look good on the right person. Mullets look dumb no matter what.

[MaMaBuddha]

people please do not refer to them as Dreadlocs http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/mad.gif there is nothing dreadful about this hair style.

america is ironically suppose to be the land of the free and the home of the brave....the free part i don't know about. we are still trapped in the white corporate america.

[Corbin Dallas]

Out of curiosity, where does the term dreadlocks come from?

And you couldn't outlaw mullets because that only applies to inbred white folks. Has anyone ever seen http://www.mulletsgalore.com It is one of the funniest sites I've ever seen!

------------------
Steve Corbin
Lambda Chi Alpha
Theta Kappa Chapter
Rose-Hulman Inst. of Tech.

[This message has been edited by Corbin Dallas (edited July 26, 2000).]

[Sexy Mocha]

I think people should be able to wear their hair however they please as long as its kept neat. I have come across both men and women with some of the most beautiful dreads...correction..locks I have ever seen and on the flip side of the coin, I have seen awful looking, unkempt locks that indeed may come off as inappropriate for some professions..or anyplace for that matter.

[MaMaBuddha]

All the days of the vow of the separation there shall no razor come upon his head until the days are fulfilled for which he
separated himself to the Lord, he shall be holy, and shall let the locks of the hair of his head grow. (Numbers 6:5)

booooooya-kaaaaaaaa!!!!


Samson is the classic example of this relation. Samson's mother was visited by Jah and told:

For, lo thou shall conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come on his head: for the child shall be a nazarite unto God
from the womb: and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hands of the Philistines. (Judges 13:5)


i respect everyone's opinion on the hair issue and for those that don't feel like this was important in Greek Life....Get over it and keep it moving! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/cool.gif

this is something that does effect us everyday. at one time it was the color of our skin, now it is the texture of our hair, what next...how big our feet are? http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/rolleyes.gif

[Corbin Dallas]

I sure hope foot size never comes into play, I'd be screwed! I just got a new pair of sneaks, and they were bigger than the last, size 15!

On the hair issue again. I think it's interesting how some religions or sects of religions condemn long hair, when Jesus is always portrayed as having long hair. of course he's also always portrayed as a white man too, but I'll not get into that.

------------------
Steve Corbin
Lambda Chi Alpha
Theta Kappa Chapter
Rose-Hulman Inst. of Tech.

[DELTABRAT]

I feel that people should be allowed to waer their hair any way they damn well please.

Thank you Soror MaMaBuddha for schooling folks up in here.

As a person who had locks for 6 years they are very liberating and they definitely send a message of not only empowerment but that of pride in our African culture. I had since cut me locks (I now rock the bomb ass bald head...well..not BALD but think Me'shelle N'Degeocello (no she IS BALD)...forget it...Sinead O'Connor). My reasons for doing so was basically because I felt that the "energy" that had been absorbed by my locks ( other people's energy, was negative (I twisted my hair when it was shoulder length and therefore there was already 19 years worth of "energy" already in my hair). I WILL grow locs again, but I think I will be older and wiser about my life decisions at that junction in my life and thus not be compelled to shave them off, again.

OKAY, why did this become a biography about me and my locks. Probably because I miss them dearly (I still have them in a wooden box I got from Trinidad & Tobago) http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/frown.gif

Okay, but yeah, the man should be able to wear his hair however, as long as they are neat. Quiet as it's kept, though ,TRUE Rastas tend to have less neat locks than those who wear them as a fashion statement. We've all seen Rastas and they have one HUGE dread or several dreads that have locked into one big one.



[This message has been edited by DELTABRAT (edited July 26, 2000).]

[Black Diamond]

Being a Sister who has Locks, I feel they should leave him alone. Now I can understand if they require him to keep them a certain length, because being someone in uniform he may have those restirctions, but to make him cut them off?.......HELL NO!. I am a professional and I PROUDLY wear my Locks. We CANNOT let others dictate to how or which stlye we wear our hair. Some feel it is not appropiate to have anything other than straight hair. WRONG! As long as it is neat and not a hazzard to your profession or the people you serve...Let people be and let them wear their hair as they choose!

That's just my $19.08


Black Diamond
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.
Ladies of Distinction!
Spr. 91

[Sexy Mocha]

Well said Black Diamond! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

[Paragon1922]

Man...I've gotten add my 22 cents to this topic.

First of all, I think that as long as he kept his locks under his hat, then there should be NO problem. I can see if his hairstyle actually inhibited him from doing his job, but if it doesn't, then the department needs to stop trippin'.

Nice, well-kept, long, full locks are beautiful and not WILD. Isn't there something wrong with society when black people can't just rock their twists, afros, cornrows, braids, bantu knots, and locks without being looked at funny by other people (it's especially tragic when other black people have the nerve to look at them crazy, but that's a whole diffent topic...) and being discriminated against?

I have had my hair natural now for about six years, and how I wear it is completely dependent on my mood when I wake up in the morning...my ultimate goal is to grow it so long that when I turn my head, I'll be able to hit people in the head with it (j/k). So if someone doesn't want to give me a job or fires me because of my hair, I wouldn't have wanted to work for such a dsicriminatory, narrow-minded institution anyway. I know that I have enough skill, intelligence, and amibition to find a much better opportunity for my professional growth.

Peace, and mad love to those fine, nubian men rockin' them locks!!! (you know you look good...lol)

Paragon #3
Spr. 2000
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. -Eta Chapter

[Poplife]

I am also a young black women who wears a natural style. At first I used to straighten it for job interviews, but now I don't even worry about it. I'm tired of people's narrow-minded idea of professionalism. Besides, like many people have been saying as long as it's groomed then it's all good.

A locked coworker was discussing his hair with me, and we discovered we both are very attached to it in a spiritual way. I can't describe it..but I'm sure those of you who dared to "give your hair back" know what I mean.

Anywho, things like this happen all the time...in the greek system, on the job, with the family (my mom wanted me to keep perming soooo badly). But I love my hair a lot more than other people's approval.

[AlphaChiGirl]

Yuck. Mullets...I can go on forever about how much I hate them. I'm from North Florida (affectionately known as the Redneck Riviera), and I see them ALL THE TIME! I don't see them in Rhode Island (where I go to school)...but I see them here! Men, women, children, black, white, Asian...all looking like Billy Ray Cyrus.

However...the topic at hand...locks. I feel as if they're hygenic, tucked under the hat, and don't interfere with his duties in anyway, he should be allowed to have them. Same goes if there was a mullet-wearing cop.

[MaMaBuddha]

many people continue to face resistance because of similar myths surrounding the hairstyle -- that people with locks are Rastafarians or from Jamaica, that they are dirty and don't wash their hair, or that they smoke marijuana. Based on these and other stereotypes, people with locks continue to face discrimination and would sometimes call them dreadful...

It is very commonplace to see Rastas with locs. It is important to keep in mind, however, that not all Rastas have locks, and not all locsmen are Rastas. It is just a common characteristic among Rastas, symbolizing deep devotion to the Holy God. Rastas view locks as having biblical origin. In the Old Testament, there are many references to "locs."

Another reason that Rastas wear locs is that locks are a semi-permanent symbol signifying their devotion to Jah. Locks take time to grow, and one can't just change their hairstyle without shaving all of his hair. Therefore, it is a symbol of a commitment.

[tickledpink]

Has anyone ever seen http://www.mulletsgalore.com It is one of the funniest sites I've ever seen!

[/QUOTE]

***lol***. Corbin, thanks for the site. I didn't know what a "mullet" was.



[This message has been edited by tickledpink (edited July 27, 2000).]

[MaMaBuddha]

Dread means threat or danger and it has to do with the fact that the first Rastafarians lived as outcasts and people were afraid of them. Another explanation is that the wearer of the locks is in fear.

[Corbin Dallas]

Back on the original topic, I think as long as they are kept under his hat it shouldn't matter, I assume in such a case this would mean they are fairly short. However, if they have a rule about length of hair, whether it can touch your ears, shoulders, back or whatever, and if these locks are that long, they SHOULD be cut off, trimmed, shortened, or whatever you can do with them.

------------------
Steve Corbin
Lambda Chi Alpha
Theta Kappa Chapter
Rose-Hulman Inst. of Tech.

[Caramelattsu]

First of all-To those who say that this is not important to Greek life, it is. If a fraternity or sorority discrimates against hair, tatoos, and piercing that would be very important.

Secondly-Here at Bellsouth, ther are many men, and a couple of women, wear their hair natrally. Locked up, cornrolled and braided. I think it's beatiful. But it is wrong for corporations to discriminate against people who wear their hair the way that God gave it to them. And for many African-Americans it is our heritage to braid, loc and cornroll our hair.
And there are many other races where the men grow their hair long. I don't think anyone, esp. males, should HAVE to cut their hair to please corporate America.

------------------
Reach for the Moon, because even if you miss, you will still be among the stars!
-unknown

[This message has been edited by Caramelattsu (edited July 26, 2000).]

[Asia2000]

Ok, I am all for banning that mullet hairstyle!!

I agree with you, MamaBuddha, with dropping the word "dread" -- they're only dreadful when not well kept -- as is any hairstyle.

[etienneSAI]

okay okay okay....while we're fresh talking about locks and mullets, PLEASE let me say my peace about mullets!

here in south jersey, we have many varieties of the mullet, my best friend and i actually distribute POINTS to worthy mullet-wearers. the best (and one that should be banned unted all costs) is the spiked mullet: spiked up top, very long and curly in the back worn on a man (or woman, for that matter) with a muscle t-shirt and a beer belly.

whew...i HAD to get that out of my system. as for locks, i think they're goregous. a sister of mine liz dated a man named dwayne with the most beautiful locks. i loved dwayne for it (and for the fact that he said i had nice lips, but that's different...) if i could grow locks and make it look good, i would...

etienne

oh, and mama buddah, i thought your "keep it moving" comment was just about hilarious!

------------------
"red is the color of music and has been since the very earliest of times. the caps of faeries and musicians are well-nigh always red."~*~w.b.yeats

"I think that happiness is when you can let yourself feel every emotion you want at any time instead of being a lying little fuck." - Tori Amos

[girlietoo]

Hellooooo,
i see this situation as nothing more than a safety concern. living in nyc there is no way that police officers can have hair in the way. whether it is tied back or left down it is not permitted by the police dept. one is aware of these rules and regulations before they graduate from the academy so if there is such a problem then do not do it!!
i work in corporate america in nyc and the environment that i work in allows dreds, pink hair, basically anything fashionable. in some of these small towns in the us maybe this type of nonconformism is not accepted, but in nyc hell yeah!!

[thatgirl]

girlietoo, what are you talking about. You sound like a fool. NYC is one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world! It makes no sense to deny this man the right to practice freedom of religion. And while you brought up the pink hair thing, let me make this crystal clear:

It's NOT the same thing
A man being allowed to wear his hair in it's NATURAL state is not to be compared to a person who deliberately dyes or chemically treats their hair in order to stand out. This should not be compared to body piercings either. You choose to pierce your body. You choose to tattoo your body. These are changes that are made by you. I'm not saying that there's anything wrong with that. I'm just saying that it's not fair to make it akin to what this man was doing. In essence, the police department is telling him NOT to be natural. There is something terribly wrong with that. He's not trying to make a statement, he's simply trying to live his life as the man that God created him, the way that God created him.

[This message has been edited by thatgirl (edited July 27, 2000).]

[Sexy Mocha]

I didn't know what a mullet was either until I went into the official mullet website http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif
If we're gonna be fair, let's be fair...people with mullets have the same right to wear their hair anyway they choose, as does people with locs, perms, mohawks, pink hair etc...WHY anyone would want to wear a mullet hairdo is beyond me though!

[Diarra]

Ok. people don' t hurt me http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif, but let's play the devil' s advocate. Someone mentionned that the guy's dread locs were an expression of his religion. Well from what I understand this country is supposed to be laic so I could see somehow why in a PUBLIC insistution, the demonstration of one's religious beliefs could not be allowed. Another person mentionned, that if a Jewish was coming to work with his religious " hat" nothing might be said to him... well we all know what happened when a school wanted to displaced the ten commandement in front of their main gate... ...
Anyway I understand that someone would want to wear their hair naturally, (well I am too), it is fine for corporate america but when you work for the government there are certain regulations that you have to abide to because they are inherent to the "constitution of this country as far as religion considerations". That was just a thought!
Have a blessed day all.

[MaMaBuddha]

^5 to my soror Deltabrat and my sistafriends thatgirl and Black Diamond.


it brings joyous tears to my ears to see all...those who are natural!!!

Soror DeltaBrat..let me find out you are sporting the baldy...that is so fly (remember that word?)

http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/tongue.gif

[DELTABRAT]

Soror Buddha:

Thanks Soror.

The bald head is tight (to me at least)...you know some brothahs can'[t handle it though. I have been called "Sir" hella times and it pisses me off but I can understand the mistake..I simply turn around and flash my breasts http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

Now it's in but I cut it way before it was and people were REALLY tripping at first. Now it's "in style" so it's okay.

Thanks again.

PEACE

[Lovealious]

Originally posted by thatgirl:
Doesn't that just say it all? Forget about aesthetically pleasing. It seems to me that people think that conformity is the only way that we can coexist. It's not. But I see that some people are still threatened by the sheer presence of a black man. Some things never change.



thatgirl... i totally agree... why is it that Black people have to conform only to have people of other race covet those things we are told we should give up. As a member of a predominatly African-American/Latino community I would feel much more comfortable approaching an African-American police officer with dreds than i would approcaching a blond hair blue-eyed police officer. We need to have police officers in 'our' communities that look like us and can relate to us and or struggles. If an Orthodox male Jew wanted to become a cop would they make
make him cut off his extra long side-burns(i don't mean to diss anyone but I don't know what you call those pigtails)? I work in a fortune 500 company.. the week i started is the week i started growing my locs... I sometimes wonder if I will be penalized because of my choice in the style in which i wear my hair... But if someone does say something to me about cutting or combing my hair I will just ask for them to send there request in writing because that is blatant discrimination and I will sue there butt!

One


[This message has been edited by Lovealious (edited July 27, 2000).]

[Wynna]

It does my heart good to know that there are so many people on this board wearing locs. We should start a loc club! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

[Asia2000]

Originally posted by thatgirl:
And while you brought up the pink hair thing, let me make this crystal clear:
It's NOT the same thing
A man being allowed to wear his hair in it's NATURAL state is not to be compared to a person who deliberately dyes or chemically treats their hair in order to stand out.
[]

While i totally agree with you as far as locs and dying being totally different, locs aren't the only way to wear one's hair naturally. There are shorter, nautral hairstyles that aren't locs. Plus, it's not necessary to wear them that long. BEFORE ANYONE ATTACKS THAT STATEMENT: I UNDERSTAND IN HIS PARTICULAR CASE THAT RELIGION PLAYED A ROLE IN THE LENGTH. I am only responding to the arguement highlighted above. Believe me, I agree with the majority on this one about him keeping his locs so long as they are well kept and neat -- I was just wondering about your (well, everyone's) response to that particular arguement. "White" hair naturally grows long, but in many situations men are required to cut it off short, along with facial hair, which is also natural. Any thoughts? (No flames please)

[MaMaBuddha]

girlietoo...check this out...

Rastas relate locks to the Nazarite vow described in the earlier parts of the Old Testament.

All the days of the vow of the separation there shall no razor come upon his head until the days are fulfilled for which he
separated himself to the Lord, he shall be holy, and shall let the locks of the hair of his head grow. (Numbers 6:5)

Samson is the classic example of this relation. Samson's mother was visited by Jah and told:

For, lo thou shall conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come on his head: for the child shall be a nazarite unto God
from the womb: and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hands of the Philistines. (Judges 13:5)

As he grew, Samson possessed extraordinary strength. He then married Delilah, and because she would not believe him when he spoke about the reason for his locks,

...she made him to sleep upon her knee; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his
head; and she began to afflict him, and his strength went from him. (Judges 16:19)

From this verse, one can see how Rastas have determined that lockd are part of the holy Nazarite vow, as Samson has seven locks. One can also see the mytical relation to locks as a source of incredible strength and power. Even after his head had been shaved by his deceitful wife Delilah and had only a small amount of hair, he was able to topple the two pillars of the house and destroy the Philistines.

Samson has become a sort of hero for Rastas as upholding strength and righteousness, as well as having natty locks. Many Rastas take the Nazarite vow, swearing not to cut (kill) hair, and many include abstaining from combing in this vow.

Rastas are also advocates of living naturally, and letting your hair take its natural course is another part of what is called Ital (Vital).

[Discogoddess]

Asia2000:

From the information we've been given about this situation, the new hair regulations apply to locs, braids and cornrows, REGARDLESS OF LENGTH. So I don't see how other employment policies regulating one's length of hair apply in this situation. From the information given, it seems to me that the length of said locs, braids or cornrows isn't the issue-it's the very existence of these styles on an officer's head. That's the problem with the regulation, in my view. It shows bias against styles that are most commonly worn by people of African descent, whose natural hair can very easily be done in those styles. If this were only about hair length, I don't think I would have such a problem with the blatant ugliness of the new rule.

DG

[girlietoo]

Thatgirl, ohh no you didn't. I am not a fool nor do I sound like one. I am merely addressing the previous comments regarding the complete "white man's corporate america" and how such diversity in dress is unacceptable. That is simply not true! I am completely aware of the "diversity" in New York City so there is no need to talk to me like I am this clueless individual. Why don't you think before you comment. thanks!
All I was saying was that the dreds get in the way because they are can be long, but I also know that they vary in length. Therefore, if the length of the dreds are short then I see no problem in having them. Also, could someone please clarify what the religious meaning behind the dreds are??Thanks!!

[girlietoo]

gracias!!

[Eli]

Several points of interest...

thatgirl

You stated,
"That only applies to one group of people." I know some white people with dreadlocks. So what you say cannot be true. This is a discussion forum, to debate, not to chide others for having a opinion that varies from our own. Please be a little more kind in your responses.

As for the cop... as long as the dreadlocks dont interefere with his job, he should be able to keep him.

There is only one person (white or black, i wont say because IT DOES NOT MATTER) but if I were an employer, I would have a problem with his hair, because it looks unprofessional hanging below his ass. And that is not limited to dreadlocks, if I owned a company, all hair could not go past sholder length male/female/black/white.

Easy E

[This message has been edited by Eli (edited August 10, 2000).]

[This message has been edited by Eli (edited August 10, 2000).]