JC Penny refused to do black woman's hair

[Spin]

I think we are looking at it from that particular customer's eyes. Most of us on this board would not just roll up into some random place requesting chemical services. This particular lady was bald around the sides so she probably doesn't always go with stylists that care about the hair being healthy. JCP is like McDonald's. You expect similar services/products no matter what location you visit. It's not like this is in the back woods. Are there no black people in LA now? They said they don't do AA hair period. It didn't matter if she just wanted a roller set. Have much specialized training does that require?

 

[scoobygirl]

This is very interesting. The JCPenney's in my area has about the same number of white clients as black clients. They also have a good mix of black stylist, white stylist and other ethnicities. I go there to get my hair done all the time. They do very good business and my stylist is always booked. That's crazy how different the attitudes are from city to city.

 

[MissNina]

I'm torn on this one. One hand, they did her a favor b/c her hair woulda been CHOPPED and SCREWED erplexed

Other hand, I think they could have told her in a more professional manner. A lot of times it's not what you say but how you say it. I feel it was totally inappropriate for them to tell her they don't do African-American hair. That is discriminatory and they should be sued b/c that statement does violate civil rights. How it SHOULD HAVE been said was:

"I'm sorry ma'am but there's no one on staff currently that is knowledgeable about African-American hair. We apologize for the inconvenience blahblahblah, we just don't want to cause potential damage to your hair as we know every ethnicity has different needs. If you'd like, our receptionist can help you find a salon that can better service you."

Ugh, don't these people have customer service training? Communication skills are so rare nowadays

 

[MonPetite]

I'm torn on this one. One hand, they did her a favor b/c her hair woulda been CHOPPED and SCREWED erplexed

Other hand, I think they could have told her in a more professional manner. A lot of times it's not what you say but how you say it. I feel it was totally inappropriate for them to tell her they don't do African-American hair. That is discriminatory and they should be sued b/c that statement does violate civil rights. How it SHOULD HAVE been said was:

"I'm sorry ma'am but there's no one on staff currently that is knowledgeable about African-American hair. We apologize for the inconvenience blahblahblah, we just don't want to cause potential damage to your hair as we know every ethnicity has different needs. If you'd like, our receptionist can help you find a salon that can better service you."

Ugh, don't these people have customer service training? Communication skills are so rare nowadays

CO-SIGNING.

 

[stepfun83]

The same thing happened to me when I was in San Antonio. I forgot the name of the mall, but I went to 3 different salons in this mall and they all told me that they cannot do relaxers or that their one person that can do relaxers was off from work. I felt so shame that day.

 

[Hot Chocolate-LB]

http://www.ktla.com/landing_topstor...sed-Service-Beca=1&blockID=116887&feedID=1198

I had to cuss a couple of people out at 2 different JC Penny's myself. All were black but that's another story

I havent even read the story and want to tell you it is truly a blessing to who ever was refused because they have made it a science how they jack up their services at JC Penny. There was a thread on KISS and I've even witnessed it personally at how much they overcharged and did a mysteriously horrible job even when the service is being done by a woman of color.

 

[cocosweet]

I'm torn on this one. One hand, they did her a favor b/c her hair woulda been CHOPPED and SCREWED erplexed

Other hand, I think they could have told her in a more professional manner. A lot of times it's not what you say but how you say it. I feel it was totally inappropriate for them to tell her they don't do African-American hair. That is discriminatory and they should be sued b/c that statement does violate civil rights. How it SHOULD HAVE been said was:

"I'm sorry ma'am but there's no one on staff currently that is knowledgeable about African-American hair. We apologize for the inconvenience blahblahblah, we just don't want to cause potential damage to your hair as we know every ethnicity has different needs. If you'd like, our receptionist can help you find a salon that can better service you."

Ugh, don't these people have customer service training? Communication skills are so rare nowadays

Yes. Yes. Yes to this entire post.

 

[LongCurlyLocks]

Damn, no JCP for me...Between this story and y'alls comments I'm scurred...

And I was considering too. Sheeit...not now

 

[SaNyjh]

I don't think it is unreasonable to expect a large national chain like JC Penneys to have at least a few people who can do ethnic hair. Its not like they said come back when so and so is here, they just said go somewhere else. It sounds like their hiring practices are biased if they don't have one person that is capable of doing black hair on staff.

EXACTLY . It is bias and border line racist if not racist. You never know who is going to walk through the doors of your salon so they should be prepared. Especially a big chain like Pennys. I think she should sue, if not for nothing but to get JP to open their eyes and practice better customer service all the way around.

 

[HappyHairDreams]

Honestly, I prefer for a hairdresser to admit that they don't know **** about doing my hair, than to take my money and damage my hair like so many others have for years.

 

[CocoBunny]

EXACTLY . It is bias and border line racist if not racist. You never know who is going to walk through the doors of your salon so they should be prepared. Especially a big chain like Pennys. I think she should sue, if not for nothing but to get JP to open their eyes and practice better customer service all the way around.

I totally disagree how is it racist if you say you don't know how to do ethnic hair? If they don't know they just don't know. I only WISH that some of the stylist I have gone to (AA and non) would have let me know up front they didn't know what the heck they were doing or turned down my business. The damage that can be done by some one who "thinks" they know how to deal with ethnic hair is far worse than the annoyance having to find someone who actually DOES know how to deal with ethnic hair.

 

[MochaSilk]

I've been quiet for most of the year, but I have to respond and say this - There is one JCP that does do ethnic hair. Northeast Mall in Hurst, TX. This is the suburbs, in a predominantly caucasian neighborhood. My husband works there, and my dad has been going there for years. Even though my husband is white, he does ethnic/highly textured hair. He even flatironed mine a few hours ago with stove irons... and I'm 15 weeks post.

He's had several sistas in his chair in the last few months and they've all been happy with the results. He does my SIL's hair, cuts my brother's hair and colors my mom's. He isn't the only one in the salon that does ethnic hair. There are also a few AA stylists there.

Keeping in line with the topic, I agree that I'd rather be told someone isn't capable of doing my hair. HOW it's conveyed makes all the difference in the world, though. DH turned away a caucasian client today. She colored & bleached her hair 2x in 2 days. She was upset, but he told her that she'd be more upset if she had to leave her hair behind in a sink from being burnt off.

I just wanted to let you know not to hate on JCP as a whole. It has to do with each branch's management. DH's manager is awesome and realized early on that the area was becoming more diverse. It'd be nice to see more salon owners wake up to this fact.

 

[TwistedRoots]

I had to read that KKK comment about 5 times before I realized that person was serious. WOW!

GIRL!! I was like whaaadda minute... GTFOH!!! People know they fool...but umm black people in KKK... My people my people


As for the topic at hand... Most places like that don't care to highlight/ dye already chemically processed hair...whether it be perm/ relax. That **** needs to go some where

 

[mistee11]

I don't think it is unreasonable to expect a large national chain like JC Penneys to have at least a few people who can do ethnic hair. Its not like they said come back when so and so is here, they just said go somewhere else. It sounds like their hiring practices are biased if they don't have one person that is capable of doing black hair on staff.

I've been going to the JC Penney's Styling Salon here for the past 4 years and I noticed that there was always three or four black stylists on any given day there to style hair. They did black, white, male, kids anyone. But I also happened to notice a couple of the white stylists where you would never see anyone black sitting in their chairs (plus they would never speak to any of the black patrons)... I peeped that too. JC Penney's had been sued years back (I'm thinking it was during the early 90s) about refusing to do black women's hair in these neck o' da woods, but they shaped up and hired some black women to do usins hair. I've also noticed that they can't seem to keep too many of usins around doing hair because they don't treat us right employees or patrons! We have to keep callin em to the carpet! I don't think that woman was looking for easy money at all! Folks always tryna get away with sneaky poo racism but that was blatant!

 

[Solitude]

Where have I been, 'cause I didn't even know JCPenney had a salon!

But, no, this was not racist, IMO. They just didn't know how to do her hair. No big deal.

 

[cookie1]

I would rather someone tell me the truth also, if they didnt' feel comfortable in my hair. I would like for them to do so in a respectful way but, don't touch my hair if you don't know what you're doing. I live in Iowa and there isn't many black beauticians but, mine happen to work in JCPenny so, that's where I go to get my hair done. The only problem is my beautician have to fight to get good products (Mizani) and they don't let her order a variety of products but, that's my only complaint.

 

[NikStarrr]

I agree with some PPs who say they would rather be told they aren't able or don't really have much experience with ethnic hair--than to attempt to "do" it and fcuk it all up, or damage it some kind of way. Most salons have a particular "type" of hair that they cater too....this is no different.

 

[kbragg]

I just watched a video of this online....when the woman took off her wig I was like If she did that at the salon I'd be scared to death to touch her hair I would try my best not to look like this and sound professional though

 

[lexi84]

she look a mess they should have helped her out...nah i'm jp that's messed up.

 

[SignatureBeauty]

I am in Texas and My JC Penny Salon does AA Hair as well, and have a Several AA Hairdressers and I Live in a Perdomintaley White City.

 

[msdeevee]

I didn't read the story or the comments cause that kind of ignorance burns me up and I think about it too long.

I just wanted to say I woulda never went to no JCP anyway to get my hair done.

As most of us are very careful about who does our hair.

Secondly, she was prolly saved a couple of years of aggravation from the fall out, remember when O went to that white salon and they put that caucasian perm in her hair and left it in too long and she lost all her hair?

It's sad but racism and hatred will be with us 'til the end of time.

 

[MissNina]

This was my first time watching the vid and Good Lord, her hair was jacked erplexed I wonder if it's cause she goes to salons that don't specialize in African-American hair (like that JCPenny) and they just don't tell her! Hmmm...makes you wonder.

On second hand, I think they should've did it. They couldn't have possibly made it that much worse than what it was

No, no I'm jk

 

[HoneyDew]

This was my first time watching the vid and Good Lord, her hair was jacked erplexed I wonder if it's cause she goes to salons that don't specialize in African-American hair (like that JCPenny) and they just don't tell her! Hmmm...makes you wonder.

On second hand, I think they should've did it. They couldn't have possibly made it that much worse than what it was

No, no I'm jk

I am just so mad at you.

 

[skatergurljubulee]

I'm not surprised. But I don't think it's because of her race. Our hair is always considered "difficult" no matter what way we wear it. We're the only race with this much variety and that's great because it makes us special! I've had salons tell me that they can try to do my hair ( they always sound soooo unsure that it's a bit scary). I always laugh and say no thanks. I don't need someone experimenting with my hair. I'd rather have them tell me we don't do your hair then say yes and I leave bald headed.
This is interesting because I got the best cut and style of my life from a JCPenny stylist and he was white too! Then again, he was gay,from NY and he was serious about hair and his clients. I have a different (rarely visited) stylist now since he moved back to NY.

 

[dcprdiva]

Maybe it's just me but I don't get the big deal. I always ask if there are stylists who can do AA hair. If they can't do it, get over it and go elsewhere.

 

[trj1922]

Maybe it's just me but I don't get the big deal. I always ask if there are stylists who can do AA hair. If they can't do it, get over it and go elsewhere.

Yeah, while it is annoying that in a multi-ethnic nation in the year 2008, we still don't take a more global approach to hair styling (and everything else for that matter), any Black woman with a teaspoon full of sense knows the deal. Everybody can't do your hair. PERIOD.

It is better to have them refuse than mess your hair pretending because they don't want to be viewed as racist. Because I know folks will lie to avoid being seen as racist, I ALWAYS ask first if I'm getting my hair done at a place that clearly does not specialize in AA hair. It breaks the tension and allows them to fess up. I have usually been pleasantly surprised, even with my hair natural, that SOMEONE in the shop can do it. If not, I keep it moving and don't look back.

Black folk still have real problems to worry about. Why do we waste our time with mess like this?

 

[Hairsofab]

this lady is old enough to know the deal. Its silly trying to feign ignorance on this sort of thing. Btw, I remember when I was young and stupid, I went to a JC Penney near where I lived, that only had white stylists, and asked if they had anyone who did relaxers. They said one lady did. This lady was white and had "black" kids supposedly so she was supposed to be their black hair expert. She did my hair and it was the first and only time I had a relaxer burn. A patch of my hair in the front came out and has never grown back in right since. And this happened 15 years ago. This is the last time I've had a white person do my hair. I just don't trust when a white salon says they can do black hair ever and would never go to one again. So as far as this lady is concerned, I think she should have taken what that lady says as a warning and found a stylist who can do her hair.

 

[Crackers Phinn]

Both me and my mother get our hair done at JC Penny's and I love our stylist. My avatar pic is at the JCPenny salon.

I'm not going to side with JCPenny on this because the employees should have been able to refer her to another location that did have someone on staff who could have done her hair.

Personally, if they would have told me that they couldn't do my hair I would have thanked them and left. I don't want anybody in my head 'experimenting'.

 

[LongiLox]

Thats not new. Please. That happened to me at a Salon in Brooklyn, NY. It was near my job and I wanted a color and a roller set. My white co-worker scheduled for me cause we usually got our beauty services done the same days. When I got there the girl ummed and ahhhhhed and then told me she could not do my hair cause they don't know how to do black hair. I was about to cuss her out, but then I looked at what they were doing for 70 bucks and marched my butt to rite aid and got some dark and lovely. I could have filed suit. They are out of business now.

Lynching is not new either....

 

[supagyrl0302]

This is very interesting. The JCPenney's in my area has about the same number of white clients as black clients. They also have a good mix of black stylist, white stylist and other ethnicities. I go there to get my hair done all the time. They do very good business and my stylist is always booked. That's crazy how different the attitudes are from city to city.

Thanks Scoobygirl I was going 2 say the same. My regular stylist works @ Penny's so that's where I go. The clientele is mixed my stylist personally has a mixed clientele and the and the services offered r same. She washes, weaves, dyes whatever black or white. I like it therei don't have the typical unprofessional nonsense I experienced at predominantly AA salons.