Braided hairstyles are a part of African American Culture in all their perfect glory. That also goes for Dreads too. Though other races try to wear dreaded styles, they work best with African American textures of hair. With that being understood, imagine my surprise and frustration when I read the Dreadlock Verdict on a case filed on behalf of Chasity Jones, a candidate who applied for a job at an Alabama Call Center with a company named Catastrophe Management Solutions (CMS). Before Jones could finish the final paperwork and drug testing, she was asked about her hairstyle. Were those dreads she was wearing? If they were and she wanted the job, she would have to get rid of them, according to Jeannie Wilson, a white Human Resources Manager because CMS could not hire her in all her glory. The reasoning, “they could get messy. What? Messy, is that even a reason and messy how? I have never been so offended by something in my life. I have heard nappy, kinky, course but messy is new to me. Well what about bedhead? Wilson blamed her remarks on CMS grooming guidelines which clearly stated that hairstyles should reflect a business/professional image and that excessive hairstyles and unusual colors were not allowed! The case verdict was rendered in 2013 but I only recently read about it in Readers Digest. The verdict, case dismissed! The gavel had sounded and even on appeal, the dismissal was upheld by Judge Adalberto Jordan in the United States Court of Appeals for Eleventh Circuit. Federal Law says we are protected under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 from discrimination but Jordan reasoned that it only applies to physical traits that cannot be changed. If texture would have been at issue the verdict may have been different, according to Judge Jordan. Wasn’t texture in fact the very issue? I am still baffled by this and my confusion is founded on what I know about hairstyles I wear now or have worn in the past. I did wear Dreads for a few years and they were well kept. Check out my pictures here. That is why I know Dreads can be neatly managed. Just look at the video above or the one below and you be the judge. Dreads can be pulled back, up and even put in a neat ponytail like white hair. What is the deal?



That’s all. Kudos…


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