new thread
I ran across this article and wanted to share it and before some of you job seekers ever think of cutting off your gorgeous manes you might want to read this!
Not something I would recommend at all.
Long story made short -- IT DOES NOT WORK!!!!!
If a place wants short hair, they want short hair. I go to a private religious high school, and I wore a high collared jacket (ski jacket liner -- it got a bit hot, but definitely not uncomfortable), and I tried to negotiate hiding my hair under the jacket. They still made me cut it off -- nobody else had any idea that I had long hair other than my pictures on Facebook -- and those were made private.
This is a civil right and no one can force you to cut your hair.
I don't care what school it is!
it really amazes me how many people seem to have forgotten their rights and allow fascists to dictate to them how their hair should look among other things.
stand up for your rights!
there is an organization called
The American Civil Liberties Union.
if you contact them perhaps you can do something for you.
if not, then it's time to start another revolt.
DO NOT under any circumstances cut your hair short for an employer or for a school!! let them suspend you first and then take them to court!
these rules were thrown out in the late 1960s and hearing about their resurrection is quite alarming!
it is time to start fighting back against those who deny you your rights!!
don't let Fascism overrun your country!! fight back!!!
For the most part, employers can insist on any silly hair rules they want. Exceptions are limited, but check the law in your jurisdiction.
Generally, public schools cannot make hair length rules. An exception is Texas.
Private schools generally can make hair length rules. California is likely an exception, due to the Unruh Civil Rights Act, and court interpretations that it applies to private schools and to hair length. It does not apply to employment, though. Thus, a business or school can make hair rules for employees such as sales people and teachers, but not customers, such as shoppers and students.
Few hair length cases have arisen before higher courts, so outcomes are not certain when litigated. By the time school cases get to a higher court, the student will often have already graduated, and courts will duck such cases by saying they are "moot" (no longer in controversy). This contributes to there being a lack of firm law in this area.
Keep in mind the ACLU's mission is to protect citizens from mistreatment by governments. Thus, they are not apt to take an interest in cases involving private schools.
What I've said applies just to hair. Stricter clothing rules are tolerated by courts because clothing is readily changed back and forth as you enter and leave the activity.
Clothing rules are more often overturned where they restrict freedom of speech and hair rules are sometimes overturned where freedom of religion is involved. These arguments are tough to make if the school is religious, since one of the rules in such a school is usually that you have to adhere to their religion, and by implication that means not yours.
What I've said above applies to the U.S. In other countries, YMMV.
If you sense a problem, (1) immediately talk to an attorney (don't rely on advice you find on the Internet like this), and (2) document everything as to time, place, who said what, etc.
And (3), most importantly, if you sense physical assault or danger (and this covers forced hair cutting or any other physical touching of you), trust your instinct. Never allow yourself to be lured to an unsafe place. Any place that is private, such as an office, or anywhere after hours, is unsafe. Be aware of a common ploy to insist it is "for your privacy". It is not. It is for theirs. If they harp on privacy, waive your right to privacy, and don't accept "no" on that for an answer. Openness in public view is your friend. Go nowhere unless you bring along enough people supportive of you that you feel safe. No threat of charging you with any other rule infractions they cook up is worth sacrificing your physical safety over.
Bill
I live in California. Tell that to my school, and they'll scoff at you.
Not going to bother, since I'm out of the school anyways in a year (lower than shoulders), wearing a ski liner every day isn't suspicious because a lot of other people do that every day, and that I'm only going to be at school for one or two classes per day, and I already selected teachers that are known for not enforcing dress codes.
I honestly don't mind. and I could circumvent it by wearing that ski liner every day.
You think that my school only monitors you within what happens at campus? From my school handbook: Other serious problems such as immorality, sexual promiscuity, and drug and alcohol abuse may result in immediate expulsion or required withdrawal from the school whether they occur on or away from campus." Along with that, gay bashing is commonplace, and people get the illusion of a perfect campus.
A handful of students have maintained long hair for some time -- one of them dressed up androgynously with a military trench coat and puffed up his chest pockets, and he played along with the office calling him female. Another one's a basketball player with cornrows, but he never got his hair as long as mine.
I'm not going to bother. I've already figured out how to flout the rules, and I'm going to continue doing so. If they can't even get rid of the cheating epidemic while cracking down on their best male student because of such a petty matter like hair length, then they obviously have their own problems.
A few days ago, I remember going to the student parking lot to try to hitch a ride from a friend. I went to her car, and then I saw a guy with a barber's razor coming around and giving someone else a buzz, running out of his car. He offered me a haircut, and I declined. Then, another one of his friends came and asked me if I wanted something other than that (insert, well, word here) haircut, and I still declined. I watched the whole thing casually, and afterwards, I pulled out my phone and called my dad to pick me up, drifting out of the parking lot afterwards -- my bag weighed 8 kg (18 pounds) that day and I was more than eager to sit down at a bench.
I figured that most of my teachers really didn't mind that I had long hair -- I figured from what the administration told me that it was from a coach from an extracurricular activity who was absolutely obsessed with team image. Needless to say, I quit because I simply was fed up with the new rules that were slapped on -- and that they always brushed me aside while I was inside.
Then, scoff at them back if you decide you do want to fight it. Don't ramp it up, just reflect back at them whatever demeanor they throw at you. For example, take them no more serious than they take you. The pissing match will go on a lot less longer, though, if you have an attorney doing your pissing.
The real question in any battle is how much is it worth to you, and how much is it worth to them. Both sides always lose some in a fight. You don't care how much they lose. The bottom line to you is whether, if you don't fight it, you stand to lose more than if you do. No man can, or should, come out with both fists flying at every slight that comes his way. As a hippie would say, "That is not cool, so chill, man." Life's road comes with some bumps along the way.
One only has so much energy, so many cards to play, so play them where they count. If you're going to fight, fight the good fight, but it's also totally cool to not let something get under your skin if it's not that important to you. If you're cool with going onward the way you have been, and it sounds like you're headed in that direction, that is fine, too. It's a sign of maturity to be able to make these choices.
We all wish you luck with how it all plays out for you in the end.
Bill
Why aren't you willing to get more involved? this is a civil right that is clearly being violated. as a matter of fact anyone on this board with knowledge of this should already be involved!
how do you think other minority groups such as blacks, Hispanics, and gays got their rights? sitting on their asses waiting for Government to get involved?
no, it starts with a grass roots effort and you guys should back this kid up and write that school. any of you who reside in California should stage a public protest! this is a clear outrage.
if you're gonna whine about having to get a haircut because a school administrator(in this case) or your boss tells you to and you do absolutely nothing you have no right to complain.
coming on this board and bitching and moaning won't change school or work policies.
get involved and do something about it! get organized at the grass roots level and reach out to others.
the more of you guys that get involved and stage protests the quicker this type of sex discrimination is going to end.
take to the streets and protest if you want change, but if you do nothing it's YOUR own fault and you have no right to complain!
sorry, if it sounds a bit like I'm attacking but sometimes people have to get kicked in the seat of the pants before they have the full realization that something is wrong.
Awesome that you want to volunteer! And that you have experienced the 1960s!
Be sure the e-mail address you've been posting with is often checked for mail, so when people write you for help, you'll be right there for them.
Bill
I know where you're coming from and agree with you to a certain
extent. That having been said though I'll warn you it won't be
easy. I started growing my hair long in 1964, had lots
of run-ins with TPTB at school, lots of employers over the years,
as well as parents and relatiives. The run-ins with TPTB at school continued right up to graduation. That ended finally when i went to college. I also had lots of run-ins with employers over the years and found it best to just walk away from the employer if they want you to cut your hair. My skills ae such that i can find work elsewhere that is more accomodating to my needs (like keeping my long hair.)
i've now been working for the same company for 26 years now.
it pays well, I'm able to keep my hair long, and I can wear what I want to for clothes.
I read my mother the riot act a number of years ago about this
being my house and my income, so if she didn't like my hair
then she can leave.
As ar as relatives go i'm now one of the older ones, i'm now
the eccentric uncle with the long hair. The relatives who
complained about my hair have since passed away.
So yeah if you want long hair you have to stand up for your rights. But be forewarned though you won't win every battle
and sometimes it is better to walk away (like to find a better job atmosphere.)