WHY IS IT THAT 26 inches of Peruvian Remy would be perfectly acceptable in most aspects of our society but locks would not?
I take issue with the recent events surrounding the restriction of locks in the Royal Barbados Police Force and reinforce my question again: Why is it that 26 inches of Peruvian Remy would be perfectly acceptable in most aspects of our society but locks would not?
It shocks me that in the year of our Lord 2015, Barbadians are debating whether or not locks should be allowed. And this even as anti-discriminatory laws are being introduced globally.
The natural hair movement is growing daily. As we peruse Instagram and other social networking sites, more women are choosing to be “naturalistas” and more products, technologies and treatments are available for natural black hair. Growing up, naturally curly and straight hair were always viewed as superior qualities among the black community. Some of us couldn’t wait to get a permanent wave (Jheri curls), texturiser or perm. Black people have constantly struggled with the fact that many of us view the kink as a curse.
With this new police rule, what message are we communicating to the nation’s young black girls? If they aspire to be members of the Royal Barbados Police Force, should they immediately rule out locks as a hairstyle? One can only assume that natural twists and braids will eventually be an issue and foresee that this is simply a step away from the Afro being an issue as well.
From a legal perspective, there is the issue of constructive dismissal. Simply put, if an employer’s actions or policies signify that a person is unable to continue on her or his job, this may count as constructive dismissal. Barbados does not have the capital or resources to be compensating victims via litigation for such instances and our law courts should be put to more pressing matters.
There is no disrespect in these pronouncements. However, there is national concern and disappointment in the Rastafarian reference. Although rare, why are we presuming that a Rastafarian would not want to be a member of the RBPF? Are we to assume or narrowly assess that the wearing of locks is or should only be reserved for practising Rastafarians?
God forbid, we say that all persons who straighten their hair (like me) practise Egyptology like the first women to invent hair-straightening.
Perhaps all Rastafarians wear locks and those who go bald simply exit the religion and move onto something else. Such generalisations are disappointing.
In a world of evolving perspectives and views, at times we as a society are still too judgemental and grossly narrow-minded. It really should not matter whether someone is a practising Rastafarian.
The issue at hand is the fact that anyone over the age of 18 should have the freedom of expression to wear his or her hair in whatever style he or she wishes to, once the style is clean and tidy and does not disrespect the proper fitting of the uniform – choir boys, straightened hair, curly hair . . . the list goes on.
Toni Thorne is a young entrepreneur and World Economic Forum Global Shaper who loves global youth culture, a great debate and living in Paradise.
