Don't Get it Twisted: Why Employer Hairstyle Prohibitions are Racially Discriminatory
![handle is hein.journals/hasrapo9 and id is 41 raw text is: Don't Get it Twisted:
Why Employer Hairstyle Prohibitions are
Racially Discriminatory
DEVIN D. COLLIER*
Introduction
Does the way I wear my hair make me a better person?
Does the way I wear my hair make me a better friend?
Does the way I wear my hair determine my integrity?
I am expressing my creativity .. .
If I wanna shave it close
Or if I wanna rock locks ...
If I wanna wear it braided
All down my back
I don't see what's wrong with that ... 1
The above quote, by soul singer India Arie, captures the
discourse this note attempts to advance. This note, however, takes
the lyrics one step further and maintains that certain employer
hairstyle prohibitions constrain African-American cultural identity
* Devin D. Collier, Esq. is a civil rights attorney in Florida. J.D., Florida A&M
University College of Law, 2011; B.A., University of West Florida, 2006.
Collier.Devin@gmail.com. I extend my sincerest gratitude to Professor Rhonda Reaves at
the Florida A&M University College of Law for sharing her tremendous expertise on
Antidiscrimination Law in addition to providing enormous support and guidance on
this article. Thank you to the faculty at Florida A&M University College of Law and the
professors at the 2011 SE/SW People of Color Conference for providing insightful
comments and suggestions during presentations at faculty colloquia. Special thanks to
Professors Robert H. Abrams, Dr. Jeremy I. Levitt, Jendayi Saada, and Patricia Broussard
for their progressive thoughts and endless encouragements. I would also like to thank
the staff of the Hastings Race and Poverty Law Journal for their superb editorial assistance
and thoughtful observations on this article. Last but not least, I am deeply appreciative
of the unwavering support of my wife and daughter, Michelle L. Collier and Mia D.
Collier. Any errors are my own.
1. INDIA ARIE, I Am Not My Hair, on TESTIMONY 1: VOL. 1, LIFE & RELATIONSHIP
(Motown Records 2006).
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Don't Get it Twisted: Why Employer Hairstyle Prohibitions are Racially Discriminatory
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