American Apparel does not want to hire blacks with straight hair

[NikStarrr]

I don't see an issue. Just like others stated before. They have a certain "hipster" clientele, and more of the black "hipsters" tend to have natural hair. How can you sell the clothes if you don't look the part?

I hate AA, by the way. The quality sux, IMO.

 

[Southernbella.]

So does this make Natural Haired People Proud? Or Does it Make Relaxed-Straight Haired People Mad?

Or Both?

No because they may not be partial to my type of natural hair.

 

[SignatureBeauty]

No because they may not be partial to my type of natural hair.

You Right, I didn't think of that! Good Point!

 

[SelahOco]

What do the sales people who shop there generally look like? Are they similar in shape, age, hair style, etc.?

 

[JaszyFaye]

Old man stops playing, slams the piano and exclaims, "Oh, time to go."

Oh no's!! I just saw this, I wasn't trying to snap. My words were just taken out of context

 

[TCatt86]

What do the sales people who shop there generally look like? Are they similar in shape, age, hair style, etc.?

The couple of times I've shopped in AA they sales people have a certain look, white, thin, with tattoos. And probably a funky haircut and/or color.

 

[Kneechay]

I'm not being biased at all here, but I fail to see where there is an issue. They want black people with natural hair to represent their brand as opposed to straightened hair. So what? It's not that they are prohibiting anyone from purchasing from them, so what's the problem? For years companies like A&F, JCrew, Armani Exchange and even Carol's Daughter (who uses mainly black women that have a certain look they want to represent their brand), why? Because these people as employees also function as advertising and models to the style the company wants to portray.

 

[ManeVixen]

I don't see an issue. Just like others stated before. They have a certain "hipster" clientele, and more of the black "hipsters" tend to have natural hair. How can you sell the clothes if you don't look the part?

I hate AA, by the way. The quality sux, IMO.

I agree you are suppose to look the part when you work in a retail store. I was hired at American Apparel and I dont have the hipster look (atleast not all the time). I just don't think this is a big deal. Oh and I did have straight hair during the interview

 

[SelahOco]

Oh no's!! I just saw this, I wasn't trying to snap. My words were just taken out of context

Don't mind me , I was teasing Bint more than you.

 

[drappedup]

I don't think it's a big deal. I feel like sometimes people are looking for minuscule reasons to be overly offended. I'm sure they're not hiring any white people dressed as goths either. It just doesn't fit the "style" of the store. And, no, I am not a fan of American Apparel. I've never even been to one in person, and the few times I've browsed there website I ended up LOLing @ how expensive some of the obviously cheap quality clothes were. I just don't see the big deal. The sales person at a store is the representative. It's just like a place not hiring because you have a tattoo. Maybe they feel it doesn't fit with the style of the store?

And I don't see the problem with them not selling plus size either. There are plus size stores that sell plus size. I actually like that they are not "giving in" and still sticking to the original style of the store. Wish I could say that about Forever21 who seems to be designing their clothes for whomever they think the money will come in. Still, though, not a fan of AA whatsoever.

 

[Hairsofab]

I have a problem with it. I do think it is a racial thing. They specifically don't want blacks with straight hair. I doubt they have requirements that whites or non-blacks must have straight or curly hair. If there aren't hair texture restrictions for others, I don't see how this can possibly be fair. If the situation was reversed, I think more would take issue with it.

 

[~Sparklingflame~]

Personally I dont have a problem with it.

I dont have jugs so I couldnt get hired at Hooters. Im sure you have to be a full C or D to get a job there. Am I gonna get up in arms when I take my itty bitties up in there to get a job and once denied, scream discrimination b/c they dont want my A cups? No. Once they let me know that big tiddy girls is who they want, then hey, I can go to the bar that hires itty bitties like me.

 

[nubiennze]

It's not that they are prohibiting anyone from purchasing from them, so what's the problem?

This:

none of the trashy kind that come in, we don't want that. we're not trying to sell our clothes to them. try to find some of these classy black girls, with nice hair, you know?

The sentiment is just as good as, albeit more legal than, prohibition. The problem is that I don't want to force them to take my trashy black dollars if they don't want them. As a consumer, I can appreciate being informed.

 

[Esq.2B]

So, do they hire white girls w/ straight hair? Or does their hair have to be 'textured' too?

 

[LadyPaniolo]

I don't personally care. There is way too much stuff being done to black folks, stuff that REALLY matters, like redlining in the housing industry. So AA wants black ladies w/natural hair in the store... ok. Next year it'll be they want cornrows or weaves or braids or whatever. We have to always be a certain way to be acceptable for them but frankly it just doesn't really matter in the long run. There are bigger challenges facing Black America than one store with crappy clothes that wants chicks with afros.

 

[Stiletto_Diva]

I don't see what the uproar is either. For years black people have been told that their hair isn't polished or professional if it is not straightened. What did a lot of black folks do? They conformed and straightened their hair. Now that a company is saying they only want to hire blacks that are natural there is all of a sudden a problem? I don't see why.

As for natural hair being a fad, it may be for some. It definitely is not for me though.

 

[imaccami]

This thread is so interesting.

I think if it were natural hair being discriminated against there would be a lot more anger. Seems hypocritical to be angry when one hair style is discriminated against and ambivalent when it occurs to another. Seems like the phrase divide and conquer applies here. How about we stand up for both natural and straight until we reach a place where both are equally accepted and black women don't have to deal with so much meaning being attached to their hairstyle.

Otherwise, it's pretty hard to be sympathetic when people are called nappy headed when those same people shrug their shoulders when black girls with straight hair are called trashy.

 

[Bosslady1]

In NY, The girls have straight hair. To each, his own.

 

[belldandy]

Hmmm so now it is okay to discriminate against black people. There is always a black tax.
What if you are black and your hair is naturally straight?
I guess people won't be upset until they start only hiring black people with certain complexions? Then there will be a problem?

Well I guess since WE allow stuff like this to happen, then we should not complain either :/ Similar stuff going on with Abercrombie. Oh wells...

 

[Aviah]

Funny, There's a new store I'm working at over here that wanted a photo with the job application. I knew the afro thing was in for blacks (for whatever reason) I played on that and now have a job (obviously not for those reasons only).... Not sure what its all about but like another person said- its also about the look in some of these stores. Natural hair seems to be the fad and all the rage right now. We will see what becomes of it. If that's what they're looking for then hey. But trashy because their hair is straight? I dunno about that one... I just refuse to get mad over someone else's opinion that I will never meet, never know and has a stupid misconception of me for however long I wish to wear my hair straight for...
(and my hair is flat ironed right now)

 

[belldandy]

Also, in these times, it can be kind of hard to get a job. As black women should we have to worry about how a company views our damn HAIR. Seems like neat and clean hair should suffice as a PROFESSIONAL look!

It just is upsetting how people can get more up in arms about their darn hair type than clear cut discrimination. LOL!

 

[SleekandBouncy]

So out of curiosity I went browsing and I've drawn some interesting conclusions which makes me doubt or rather question the application of what's noted in the OP.
Not only are many of the melinated models sporting straight hair, but those with curly hair aren't kinkier than 2C. Even more interesting the models sporting straight hair have a look or hair texture/length which will lead most people to believe straight hair is either "authentic" (natural) or easily achieved. In other words, not models who may have done "black girl things" to straighten their hair. Preferred is the blowdryer and a round brush to the relaxer and/or a flat iron and some greez.
It seems they have no issue straightening their melinated model's hair nor do I observe any natural 3b-4cs true black hipster looking models. I think this may have less to do with a preference for textured black hair and a black hipster look and more to do with avoiding a certain look.

These are the main models of color on their site.

 

[ZeeontheGrow]

I know a few folks that work or have worked at AA -- one a store manager. I've heard many stories about Dov and "sexist, judgmental, and discriminatory" definately fits the description. While it is true AA workers have to have a certain look.. I don't see anything wrong with hiring someone based on that, especially when it comes to working retail. It's not just the hair, but the overall appearance. AA workers even have to wear AA clothing while working.. so they are in a sense "models". I guess natural hair is part of the look. and Natural hair does seem to be "in" this season ((whoa nelly! not meaning you ladies here, but in the fashion world))
Now, I don't think "nice hair" necessarily means natural, and "trashy" means the BW with relaxed hair. One friend that works there is relaxed, with 1/2 her head shaved off (that seems to be in too). and I'm pretty sure the girl with the crusty dookie braids didn't make the cut...



BTW, I am relaxed, and shop at AA sometimes (when I can take advantage of my friend's 40% discount -- what the clothes is really worth)
Oh.. and I think AA sells plus size clothing now..

 

[Nayna]

I'm just annoyed with the wording. Where does it say straight hair is trashy? If anything it's referring to the type of person coming in, not the hair. I especially don't see how they would think straight hair is trashy seeing as they hire straight haired black women all the time and feature them in their ads.

“Another former AA manager says that she received the following instructions as to what kind of black girls she should try to hire during the company’s open calls:
“none of the trashy kind that come in, we don’t want that. we’re not trying to sell our clothes to them. try to find some of these classy black girls, with nice hair, you know?”

I'm not for nor against them but I'm not getting all up in arms if they want not so straight hair in their ads.

 

[naijamerican]

This thread is so interesting.

I think if it were natural hair being discriminated against there would be a lot more anger. Seems hypocritical to be angry when one hair style is discriminated against and ambivalent when it occurs to another. Seems like the phrase divide and conquer applies here. How about we stand up for both natural and straight until we reach a place where both are equally accepted and black women don't have to deal with so much meaning being attached to their hairstyle.

Otherwise, it's pretty hard to be sympathetic when people are called nappy headed when those same people shrug their shoulders when black girls with straight hair are called trashy.

I agree with your first paragraph and other aspects of my post will address why. However, I totally and completely disagree with the bolded. It's not hard to be sympathetic to those called nappy headed even if they are, in your words, the same who shrug their shoulders when Black women with straight hair are deemed trashy. Until we embrace the wide diversity of textures observed among Black women and relinquish Eurocentric standards of beauty, straight hair will always be privileged and natural hair - our default hair, for crying out loud - will always have negative associations/connotations. I have never heard someone with straight Black hair made fun of. Yet the "nappy-headed ***" phrase is tossed about with abandon anytime someone wants to insult a Black woman. In fact, even if a Black woman's hair is straight, someone will still call her such because that term connotes undesirability, uncouthness, etc. I unequivocally disagree with your last sentence.

As for the first sentence, yes, I agree. I believe that if American Apparel had a policy against natural hair, this thread would be twice as long and the Black Panthers and militants among us would have called for a boycott. This post has gone on long enough so I'll try to make my arguments as concise as possible:

1. Sleek hit the nail on the head: the issue here is not so much their preference and the association of "natural" hair as being more authentic (although, given that it's what grows out of our heads, it is in actuality the more authentic version of our hair than its chemical manipulations ). The issue is that a company is enacting policy that circumscribes Black women's freedom to wear their hair the way they want to. This isn't exactly a victory for natural hair.

2. I distinctly remember stating this in a thread a long time ago, and I'm not surprised to see that it's starting to happen: natural hair become associated with Blacks of higher socioeconomic position. Thus, there's a level of class bias being interwoven in this construction of natural hair as being "classy" and straight hair being "trashy."

3. Perhaps the reason that the straight hair is considered "trashy" is because of the condition that the women working there are leaving it in. We need only take a walk down the street and see how some Black women wear relaxed hair to know that a level of ignorance persists regarding how to properly take care of, and style, relaxed hair.

That's all, sorry it's so long.

 

[aileendq]

I love American Apparel clothes, and honestly, I think that when you work in a clothing store you are the "model" for the type of clothes being sold, and the management has the right to hire you based on your appearance, whatever that may be.

ABSOLUTELY NOT (said with all due respect). When it comes to things that cannot be changed (like, hair or skin color, etc.) it is discriminatory to not hire or fire someone based on what their preconceived notions of what that gender, race, etc. should be.

If he isn't telling the white girls to stop perming or straightening THEIR hair, then, yes, it's discrimination.

As an aside, I spent 5 years as an investigator for a civil rights agency (government).

 

[EccentricRed]

i'm sure that's the same for any brand. i think american apparel is into the whole indie thing. tons of hipsters shop there and the black hipsters i see tend to have natural hair (this is just from my experience). i guess i'm not too surprised

Yeah, I would agree with that. What is so whack is that American Apparel has pieces that I would wear! It is VERY much a part of my style. I do remember looking at the girls that work in the one that I stop by when I'm visiting my brother. They were all rather slender, not too curvy and rather "indie" in style. I didn't think anything of it until I saw the post.

I really don't know what to say about this. If they were hiring regular workers to sell their clothes I would want to call it discrimination. But when you are having auditions/try-outs, it is almost as if the worker is playing a duel role as a model & salesperson. Bananas...

 

[ZeeontheGrow]

cute siggy EccentricRed

 

[belldandy]

If hiring practices are being based on hair, then that is wrong.

And you guys need to realize, no matter how blacks look or wear there hair, there is always going to be something that racist companies or employers use as an excuse as to why they are not hiring certain "types" of Black people. So all this talk about it being okay because the store has to maintain a certain look is baloney.

Straight hair is out now, the natural look is in now eh?

What about natural blondes being hired or something of that nature when it comes to white girls?

 

[EccentricRed]

cute siggy EccentricRed

Thanks! I try! :Blush2: