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US Army's new grooming standards called racially biased
http://america.aljazeera.com ^ | March 28 2014 | The Stream Team

Posted on 03/29/2014 8:31:21 AM PDT by Mandingo Conservative

The U.S. Army is coming under fire for changes to its appearance and grooming standards, which some say discriminates against black women who wear their hair natural...Within and outside of the Army, women of color have been calling the guidelines racially biased. A White House petition has amassed more than 3,000 signatures to date requesting that the Army reconsider...Unauthorized hairstyles now include twists, dreadlocks, Afros and braids that are more than a quarter-inch thick – styles commonly worn by many African-American women...Army veteran "Tonya" [name has been changed to protect identity], who has dreadlocks...

(Excerpt) Read more at america.aljazeera.com ...


TOPICS: Humor; Military/Veterans; Society
KEYWORDS: africanamerican; army; buzzcut; hair; military; racecard
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To: Mandingo Conservative
The U.S. Army I served is gone.

I know, I'm getting old and out of touch...

5.56mm

41 posted on 03/29/2014 9:57:56 AM PDT by M Kehoe
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To: PghBaldy
We’re past that point. Eric Holder decided (or someone did) we cannot do criminal background checks, as they are potentially discriminatory, or something. I am not kidding.

I work in an industry (firearms related) where criminal checks are required for employement BY FEDERAL LAW. How does that square with Holder?

42 posted on 03/29/2014 10:22:35 AM PDT by Disambiguator
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To: Mandingo Conservative

43 posted on 03/29/2014 10:25:06 AM PDT by VeniVidiVici (Play the 'Knockout Game' with someone owning a 9mm and you get what you deserve)
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To: Mandingo Conservative

Because when deployed during war, maintaining hair that requires attention to keep from becoming unhygenic is a priority.


44 posted on 03/29/2014 10:26:00 AM PDT by Bogey78O (We had a good run. Coulda been great still.)
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To: hattend

The military is a jobs program for leftwingers.


45 posted on 03/29/2014 10:29:31 AM PDT by Bogey78O (We had a good run. Coulda been great still.)
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To: Marie

I get your point and I do agree that female soldiers might be allowed cornrow-style braids regardless of their race, but my branch of the military had zero concern for allowance of a stylish civilian hairstyle that met grooming regulations for males or females. We had whatever haircut the battalion commander had, and he wore a horseshoe high and tight. I walked around with a little rowboat of hair in top of my head.

I’ve got a recommendation for black female soldiers on what sort of electric clippers are good quality, if that helps.


46 posted on 03/29/2014 11:14:08 AM PDT by The KG9 Kid
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To: Mandingo Conservative
I don't care what race,gender or ethnicity you are...adhere to the Army's/Navy's/Air Force's/Marine Corps's grooming standards or get the hell out.You knew there'd be rules...MANY rules...many of which you didn't understand and/or agree with when you went in.You volunteered....you weren't drafted.And now your branch has to change its standards because you're unhappy?

Good luck with,sweetie!

47 posted on 03/29/2014 11:36:23 AM PDT by Gay State Conservative (Stalin Blamed The Kulaks,Obama Blames The Tea Party)
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To: Mandingo Conservative

When I enlisted in 1971 like many young white fellows of the time I had very long hair. It was how we wore it. The US Military did not care. Within minutes of arrival my head was shaved. After basic and schooling you could allow it to grow out a little. Nowhere near what was being worn by civilians. But then I was not a civilian. Afros were the style for blacks during that time period. Did not see any on uniformed soldiers..........
Sad to have to say this to someone in the military but GROW UP!


48 posted on 03/29/2014 11:48:23 AM PDT by SECURE AMERICA (Where can I go to sign up for the American Revolution 2014 and the Crusades 2014?)
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To: thoolou

We’re boned

If you only knew!.........


49 posted on 03/29/2014 11:49:52 AM PDT by SECURE AMERICA (Where can I go to sign up for the American Revolution 2014 and the Crusades 2014?)
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To: Mandingo Conservative

I used to think it was really stupid when the white girls would come to work with their hair in corn rows.


50 posted on 03/29/2014 12:05:59 PM PDT by rfreedom4u (Your feelings don't trump my free speech!)
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To: Mandingo Conservative

literally pussification of the armed forces.

the army is not civillian life.

well, long live the grassroots, local militias. The good ones, anyways.


51 posted on 03/29/2014 12:17:33 PM PDT by Secret Agent Man (Gone Galt; Not averse to Going Bronson.)
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To: Mandingo Conservative

Someone please tell me what the hell is “ethnic hair”? As a Caucasian do I not belong to an ethnicity? So could I call my falling out, turning gray hair an “ethnic hair” if I wanted to? As I am retired now, I guess I am speaking for some who are in the military now and just my be wondering.


52 posted on 03/29/2014 12:46:02 PM PDT by rustyboots
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To: BuffaloJack

Long hair also is a problem as relates to lice, fleas and other vermin. This can be a big issue for fighting troops in the field who do not have opportunities to bathe frequently.


53 posted on 03/29/2014 2:12:35 PM PDT by XRdsRev (New Jersey - Crossroads of the American Revolution)
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To: Gay State Conservative

“You volunteered....you weren’t drafted.”—

I remember early in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan there were some women reservists who didn’t want to be deployed because they had children.

What the hell did they think they were signing up for ?

.


54 posted on 03/29/2014 2:23:05 PM PDT by Mears
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To: jch10; The KG9 Kid

According to the new regs, she won’t be able to do a high and tight anymore. That option is out. This is how ridiculous they are.

She can do braids, but most black women need a weave to make it long enough and weaves are nasty. The glue that’s used is unhealthy and I know that I wouldn’t put that crap on my head. She can do chemical straightening so that she can do ‘white’ hairstyles, but that’s bad for your hair, your scalp, and many say, your health.

If you want natural, healthy hair, you’re stuck with the mini-fro or cornrows (if your hair is thick enough and you don’t have too much space on your scalp).

I understand that this is in response to idiots that go too far, but (as usual) instead of addressing idiots, they put out a sweeping policy that makes no sense.

(And no, I’m not a black woman. I’m a white girl who has black friends and has watched them struggle with their hair for years. It’s a true fight. Personally, I think that natural hair is the prettiest, but you’re not going to have pretty, natural hair with these regs. You won’t be able to maintain your hair in the field with these regs. Are commanders going to give black women four hours a week to rebraid their hair when they’re in combat? Where will they plug in their irons? Will they be allowed to bring a duffle bag of products and will a stylist be available to keep them within the regs?)


55 posted on 03/30/2014 7:37:31 AM PDT by Marie (When are they going to take back Obama's peace prize?)
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