"Army bans natural hairstyles worn by black women" by Nia-Malika Henderson and Bethonie Butler | Washington Post April 05, 2014
A new Army regulation that bans an array of natural hairstyles has sparked some backlash, with black women arguing that the rule has a racial and cultural component.
Released on Monday, Army Regulation 670-1, includes multiple rules that specifically address hairstyles such as cornrows, twists, and braids that are worn by black women. Among the unauthorized styles are dreadlocks and twists, which have been banned since 2005, and braids must be small in diameter.
Army officials told the Army Times that the revisions were approved after a focus group and a survey of hundreds of senior enlisted women reviewed the changes and that it is premature to discuss the new regulations, which sought to clarify some rules that were already in place.
The move has prompted a White House petition that has gathered more than 10,000 signatures and asks that the Army reconsider the ban.
Related: Globe Erases Petition Signatures
You can sign up but they are not listening.
Maybe you could petition Liz Warren?
Black women are increasingly wearing natural hairstyles and forgoing potentially damaging chemical straightening. Typically, natural hairstyles are often easier to maintain than processed hair.
In an interview with USA Today, Sergeant Jasmine Jacobs, who started the White House petition and wears her hair in two twists, said she is ‘‘kind of at a loss now with what to do with my hair.’’
The regulation ‘‘is necessary to maintain uniformity within a military population,’’ said Army spokesman Troy A. Rolan Sr.
‘‘Many hairstyles are acceptable, as long as they are neat and conservative,” he said.
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I'm just glad the rape crisis has been resolved.
