Tell Congress To Stop Discrimination Against Natural Black Hair

Sign the Petition : 1,961 Letters and Emails Sent So Far

It has come to my attention that the United States Air Force has a regulation, AFI36-2903 DRESS AND PERSONAL APPEARANCE OF AIR FORCE PERSONNEL, which in part, discriminates against African-American women serving in the Air Force. The code was recently updated to include a bans on a common natural African-American hairstyle, which the Air Force has called "dreadlocks". Female personnel with neat, clean, professional well-kept hair are being forced to choose between cutting their hair and treating it with chemicals to conform with this regulation which I feel unfairly and unnecessarily discriminates against African-Americans. The regulation itself does not define "dreadlocks". This leaves women with hair that is in no means a distraction or a detriment to their duties, subject to disciplinary action.

While it is certainly reasonable that the Air Force require its personnel to wear their hair in a neat and professional manner, blanket regulations against a loosely defined manner of wearing the hair is causing undue hardship on a number of women in the Air Force. There appears to be an ignorance of the needs of African-American hair and what can be done in the way of styling the hair without either cutting it off or subjecting the hair to chemicals. Wearing the hair in a "locked" style is the only way many African-American women can wear their hair, with any length, and without having to chemically treat it or wear a wig. As long as the styles are neat, professional looking, not distracting and not hindering their ability to perform their duty, there is no reason the Air Force should require women to change their hair styles. I think the code was fine before the addition of the ban on "dreadlocks" and the addition of that ban is unnecessary. The code already states that hairstyles cannot be "faddish" and must be professional. Locked hair is not necessarily faddish nor is it necessarily unprofessional.

I would like to request that you look into this regulation and ask the Air Force to reconsider the ban of neat, clean and professional hairstyles worn by African-American women.
Tell Congress To Stop Discrimination Against Natural Black Hair

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People signing the "Tell Congress To Stop Discrimination Against Natural Black Hair" petition

  1. Tue., Jul. 27, 2010 3:04 PM    link Name not displayed | Wilmington, DE

    Its not fear that breads are allowed and locks are not accepted. I have locks and yes, Corporate America has expected the tradition of natural hair. Get with the program please.

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  3. Wed., Jul. 21, 2010 10:48 AM    link Name not displayed | Warner Robins, GA

    As a young, African American woman, who wears natural hair proudly, in the Air Force, I couldn't be more discouraged about my hair! Having to wear weaves, submit to chemicals or struggle everyday to maintain neat hair is...to say the least, overwhelming! If the AF defines "dreadlocks" as the long, thick, matted hair that some people have, that is unfair. That is that individuals decision to let their hair give an unkept appearance. Many African American women, (as well as men, Civilain, of course) have neat and presentable locks. The same way a pony-tail can be thrown up and look a little messy, there are people that do not mind their locks rugged. That same pony-tail can be taken down, slicked back and done neatly. The look is up to the individual. Locks, if the person chooses, can be groomed very well. An Air Force member, of course, has standards to comply with. Who says Locks ARE NOT professional? I do not agree at all with those that say they are not. If the member is aware that she must keep her hair neatly groomed and presentable, I do not believe it would be a problem. It takes courage and commitment to lock your hair in the first place. The pride and contentment that comes along with that beautiful decision is motivation as well to make sure that her hair is always looking nice AND professional. Also, the same way we take pride in putting on our uniform and making sure we are representing a professional military branch, we, Afriacn American women, take pride in our hair! Our apperance PERIOD is important. And haveing natural hair does come with work, and patience. There is no reason to put a ban on the wear of "Dreadlocks", as long as they adhere to the other requirements (such as bulk, length, color, etc). Stop the discrimination against Natural Black Hair. If some of the weaves and other hairstyles are fine, why cant we wear our NATURAL hair with the same honor?

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  5. Wed., Jul. 21, 2010 1:39 AM    link Name not displayed | Wilmington, DE

  6. Tue., Jul. 20, 2010 10:54 PM    link Name not displayed | Birmingham, AL

  7. Mon., Jul. 19, 2010 8:11 PM    link Name not displayed | Atlanta, GA

  8. Sun., Jul. 18, 2010 6:19 PM    link Name not displayed | Cambria Heights, NY

  9. Sat., Jul. 17, 2010 4:40 PM    link Joann H. | Palm Coast, FL

  10. Wed., Jul. 14, 2010 3:10 PM    link Stefania L. | Hahnville, LA

    I am in Army ROTC, have natural hair, and sympathize with those who have to suffer because of their hair. One of the main reasons I decided to go natural is so that I would be able to do my hair myself without having to depends on a stylist. Sure, you can apply you're own relaxer, but using harsh chemicals can end badly when left in the hands of amateurs. Allowing women to wear their locks will provide them with a personally manageable style instead of relying on someone else to do their hair, which will be additional stress to distract them from the job at hand.

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  12. Sun., Jul. 11, 2010 9:23 AM    link Name not displayed | Biloxi, MS

  13. Thu., Jul. 8, 2010 8:39 AM    link carolyn w. | Atlanta, GA

    Denying one to wear their hair in it's natural state speaks to the racism that is imbedded in america. I ask that you review your policy so that it no longer carries the taint of racism it implies.

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  15. Tue., Jul. 6, 2010 7:57 PM    link Name not displayed | Pearland, TX

  16. Sat., Jul. 3, 2010 9:00 PM    link Acasia F. | Sumter, SC

    I am a sophomore in college and am about to begin Air Force ROTC. I have never had chemicals put in my hair it is completely natural. I was considering dreads because my hair is quite thick and straightening cause heat damage and pulling. Please override this ban I have been in ROTC since the 9th grade and I really want to go into the Air Force. I hope that something can be done I am dead set on serving my country.

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  18. Thu., Jul. 1, 2010 10:42 AM    link Name not displayed | Chicago, IL

  19. Thu., Jul. 1, 2010 1:34 AM    link Kayla I. | Orlando, FL

  20. Thu., Jun. 24, 2010 12:08 AM    link Margo . | Los Angeles, CA

  21. Tue., Jun. 22, 2010 2:51 PM    link Ciara D. | Detroit, MI

  22. Tue., Jun. 22, 2010 9:34 AM    link Starritha R. | Newport News, VA

  23. Mon., Jun. 21, 2010 9:55 AM    link Charlinda W. | Charlotte, NC

  24. Sun., Jun. 20, 2010 10:33 PM    link Laela B. | Durham, NC

  25. Mon., Jun. 14, 2010 5:12 PM    link Keanna L. | East Orange, NJ

    I am a junior in High school who is considering joining the Air Force. I really want to do this but the only thing that is stopping me is my locs. Please change this rule. Thank You

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