African-American Hair Braiders Want Easing Of State Licensing Rules

MeowMix

New Member
July 20, 2012 from N3
Some African-American hair stylists are objecting to an Oregon licensing rule that means they can't braid hair without taking a two-year course. And they’re asking state lawmakers to take up the cause.

Amber Starks wants to put her braiding skills to work as a volunteer for African-American children in foster care. The Oregon Department of Human Services embraced the idea. But the Portland woman soon found that even a volunteer needs to get a cosmetology license.

Starks says traditional African-American hair-braiding doesn't use the chemical and heat treatments that are taught in cosmetology school.

"I feel like the braiders and the other natural hair-stylists would be willing to compromise and take some kind of safety training," Starks says. "But we just kind of feel that it's excessive to have to attend 1,700 hours of schooling for something that often isn't taught in school."

Starks says two Democratic state lawmakers have agreed to seek a compromise during next year's legislative session. At the other end of the spectrum, the libertarian think-tank Cascade Policy Institute has taken up the cause.

For now, Starks is still braiding hair professionally across the river in Vancouver, Washington. That state relaxed its hair-braiding rules several years ago.

Wow, she's trying to give back and has to go for over 1000 hours training? ....Just wrong.
 
That state and others need to get with the program or create something that is connected to braiding skills.
 
cutenss said:
They wouldn't be doing that, if braiding was a non-black entity.

It may be a black entity that want it...

They are licensed in Florida. Black stylist led the charge.

This past session the Republican led legislature were going to dereg it but guess who complained? Black stylists and the Dems.

Regulation makes them feel better about charging high prices and protects business for places that don't braid because they know street and home braiders wont get the license.
 
I think home braiders are going to continue to braid at home. I think 100 hours would be enough for a license.

These additional fee's are not benefiting the consumer or the braider. For profit school will charge outrageous amounts for the license. Most of the people who braid are Africans. 97% qualify for Pell grants. Tax payers end of paying for the course.

Most of the braiders will continue to braid from their home to save on booth rent and commission. Braider is still considered unemployed and eligible for other benefits. Consumer paying the same amount or more because braider is licensed.

Everyone loses except the state and the school.
 
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