Unbelievable! JC Penny tells customer "We Don't Do African-American Hair"

[indifferenthues]

Hair Apparent - JCPenney: "We Don't Do African-American Hair"

Posted Nov 21st 2008 4:50PM by Hayat Mohamed in BlackVoices.com

When Brenda McElmore showed up to get her hair dyed at a local JCPenney salon in Downey, Calif., she probably didn't expect to hear "no." Unfortunately, that's exactly what happened. According to McElmore, the receptionist

Comments

Good News!

[anonymous]

I can't tell you how many times that's happened to me! From Sam's to Supercuts, even for the smallest trim or dye they just won't do it. I've always thought it way illegal that stores could hire stylists who can only work "white hair". Some might be upset if whites started coming to get braided tho, but I think it's for the best if everyone can do each other's hair right? Who doesn't want to be able to work Michelle's weave? Just kiddin, sure Obamas got good real hair, LOL.

Re: Good News!

[indifferenthues]

I've always thought it way illegal that stores could hire stylists who can only work "white hair".

They don't. All hair-dressers are required by law to be knowledgeable about working on all kinds of hair.

I know it is sometimes made into a joke ("Beauty School Dropout" from Grease et. al.) but Cosmetology which is licensed by the state is actually a very serious profession. It's not just how does the haircut look, there are endless courses on health (skin, nails, scalp, etc.), hygiene and cleanliness (things are to be kept sterile the same way things in a doctor's office are); chemistry (that's a big one . . . perms, straightening, hair-dye, facials, make-up, et. al.) not to mention all the business classes.

Then you have to pass a day long written test followed by your practicals. After that people who are serious go on to take specialization classes and people go back for refreshers and to keep up with the new developments in the field, (especially since state require you to keep current and to renew you license every