Army's ban on dreadlocks, other styles seen as offensive to some African-Americans

CNN ^ | 8 Apr 2014 | Halimah Abdullah

[mandaladon]

Washington (CNN) -- The U.S. Army's new ban on many types of ethnic hairstyles has African-American women who wear their coifs in dreadlocks, braids and cornrows in a twist.

The Army's regulations stipulate such guidance as hair "must be of uniform dimension, small in diameter (approximately ¼ inch), show no more than 1/8 (inch) of the scalp between the braids." Dreadlocks "against the scalp or free-hanging" are banned. "Unkempt" or "matted" braids and cornrows are also considered dreadlocks and "are not authorized," according to the regulations that were updated this month.

It's that type of language, words like "unkempt" and "matted," that read to some African Americans, as code for racial bias.

"These new changes are racially biased and the lack of regard for ethnic hair is apparent," Sgt. Jasmine Jacobs of the Georgia National Guard wrote in a White House petition she started in late March asking the Obama administration to reconsider the policy. Currently, the petition has more than 13,000 signatures. White House petition

"We feel let down," Jacobs told the Army Times. "I think, at the end of the day, a lot of people don't understand the complexities of natural hair. A lot of people, instead of educating themselves, they think dreadlocks and they think Bob Marley, or they see women with really big Afros and they think that's the only thing we can do with our hair."

[Pikachu_Dad]

So now “unkempt” and “matted,” is rascist?

[Senator_Blutarski]

The last time I checked military service in the USA was on a volunteer basis. If you don't like it, don't sign up. If you don't like it, don't re-enlist.

We need to end this crap before we destroy the military.

[PLMerite]

“If you aren’t going to follow rules, what the hell are you doing in the army?”

Hookups and money for skool.

[minnesota_bound]

You would end up with this....Private Headkrack



or this.... Sgt Lenny Kravitz

[heartwood]

I don’t see dreadlocks as more of a threat to the mask seal than any other long hair. “No dreadlocks” really only applies to women as men aren’t allowed hair that long at all.

So - the ladies in combat positions - are they going to have to keep their hair cut above their ears just like the men?

And those who aren’t in combat positions - male, female, or other, can they all let their hair grow out and just, you know, toss it?

[CorporateStepsister]

You’re right; this is why I’m beginning to believe that Presidents should no longer be Commander-In-Chief of the armed forces. Only the highest ranking general in the US military, someone with substantial experience.