Black Female Soldiers Criticize Army's New Hairstyle Rules As Racially Biased

[moonshaz]

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Army is facing criticism for its new appearance and grooming regulations, which some soldiers say unfairly target black women's hair.

Army Regulation 670-1 was released Monday, with rules on tattoos, hairstyles, grooming and uniforms for soldiers

Comments

[meadowphoenix]

I'm not at all surprised that "uniform" means "as close to white people, aka what we're used to, as possible," and that by "professional appearance" they mean "what white people have considered professional."

[countrygirl_914]

In addition, headgear is expected to fit snugly and comfortably, without bulging or distortion from the intended shape of the headgear and without excessive gaps.

Well then why don't you make that the regulation--any hairstyle that interferes with headgear isn't allowed. Boom, done.

[kagehikario]

"Women with these banned hairstyles will need to get rid of them or cover them with wigs or extensions, which can damage hair."

This invalidates the rest of the excuses, doesn't it? :/ How can a WIG fit headgear better than twists?

And what is this about not having short hair?!

[darth_eldritch]

Looks like it can't be cut shorter that 1/4 inch. Because, you know, WoC with short hair, can't have that. Too threatening.

The entire thing is total bullshit. I was in for 6 years and there was never any issues over natural hair.

[tabaqui]

No woman in the Army is authorized to cut her hair that short.

[darth_eldritch]

There used to be no regs against how short a woman can cut their hair.

While I am no expert on Black hair, there's FB comments on one of those links from WoC in service who explain why this is a problem, why it limits them in combination with the other regs. In service I've known WoC who've cut their hair that short, one told me it was part of her hair care.

The majority of white woman do not need to cut their hair that short for low maintenance. 2 or 3 inches and I was good to go. So, yes, I can see that part of the regs as racially motivated, too, especially considering the reactions we've seen over a WoC being fired from a news anchor position because of her short hair. White men didn't like it, they said it made her look too aggressive.

While she is civilian, the idea that her hair is now out of regs by military standards is ridiculous:

[tabaqui]

It's so mind-boggling. If their hat, helmet, gas mask, whatever, fits on their head correctly, and their hair doesn't touch their collar, why should it matter if their hair is in twists or in bigger/more braids? So stupid.

Basically, a fundamental lack of knowledge about the simple fact that some styles simply *will not work* for some hair, and that trying to make women of color groom and style their hair like a white or Latina or Asian woman is *not going to work*.

[tabaqui]

What is a FAAB? I think if you have long hair, chemical relaxers and whatnot might be necessary, or if your hair is really coarse or curly? I have no clue - from what i've read, it's all pretty toxic and damaging and if there were another way, i'd imagine most women would want to do that, instead of dumping chemicals all over their head.

They won't let any woman in the army do a buzzcut - i guess it's too 'masculine' or something? I dunno. But if joined the army, that's what i'd do. Buzz it all off, because fuck dealing with hair at four in the morning out in the mud.

I don't get 'extreme' hairstyle when there's almost no hair there. To me, 'extreme' is a huge mohawk or some kind of super-crazy retro bouffant thing or something. Not...half an inch of hair. If you have a nicely-shaped head, a buzz-cut looks *awesome*.