The US Army is coming under fire for new hair regulations that demand new restrictions from soldiers.
Being classified by some as racially biased, a White House petition has already acquired over 3,000 signatures in an effort to get the new hairstyle sanctions dismissed before they go into official effect.
So what's the uproar about? Army Regulation 670-1 has not technically been released yet to be put into practice, but the document was leaked, revealing PowerPoint slides that showcase how women in the army are to wear their hair going forward. Here are some of the newly proposed rules:
Among the looks that are no longer allowed, prohibited hairstyles now include twists, dreadlocks, Afros and braids that are more than a quarter-inch thick. These are all hairstyles commonly worn by many women of color. Once the new regulations go into effect, women with these styles would have to change them or conceal them with wigs and/or extensions.
Many are sounding off against the new policy, including an army veteran whose name was changed to "Tonya" to protect her real identity. "Tonya" helps to make up more than a third of the armed forces that are comprised of women of color. She says the new policy is unfair and will affect many women who wear their hair natural.
"I don't think they see the health behind it. Getting these extensions, these braids, can put a lot of stress and strain on our hair," "Tonya" said. "When you're in Iraq, these hairstyles serve the purpose to protect you."
In response to the controversy, Sergeant Major of the Army Raymond Chandler issued a statement saying "We've gone through a series of revisions and briefings to try to find something that's reasonable, affordable and feasible within the Army that aligns itself with our professional responsibilities."
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