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Topic: Civil Rights?
Jill298's photo
Tue 11/25/08 09:01 AM
When Brenda McElmore showed up to get her hair dyed at a local JCPenney salon in Downey, Calif., she probably didn't expect to hear "no." Unfortunately, that's exactly what happened. According to McElmore, the receptionist at the front desk told her, "We don't do African American hair." McElmore says she was "astonished" to be denied service strictly because of her race.

After writing several letters to JCPenney about the incident, a representative responded with an apology, explaining that the "salon's receptionist did not feel [the salon's employees] had the technical proficiency to perform the service required." McElmore was not satisfied with that answer. "If you only want color -- I'm not asking for a perm or a style or anything else -- it doesn't take a special person or a special skill to do that," she said during a press conference last month .

McElmore recently called upon prominent defense attorney Gloria Allred to represent her in a lawsuit against JCPenney. In the lawsuit, Allred charges that JCPenney violated California's Unruh Civil Rights Act, which prohibits businesses from denying services based on race.

Black Voices contacted Allred's office and was informed by an employee that JCPenny has yet to respond to the lawsuit; they have 30 days to do so.

This incident raises an important question: "Should hairdressers be equipped to do all types of hair regardless of where they work?"People of all races have unique hair textures, but where do we draw the line? McElmore was not going in for what a white stylist may view as a complicated procedure, such as a perm or weave. She was simply trying to get her hair dyed. Most hair dye that is sold in stores is formulated to be used on all hair types. Though special hair dye, shampoos and products are tailored for each "race" or hair texture, it's safe to say that, for the most part, hair dye does not come in a white, black, Hispanic, or Asian category.

On the same token, some may feel that JCPenney was wise to deny McElmore service because they felt there was a good possibility they could have mishandled her hair. If that was the case, they might have ended up being sued for doing McElmore's hair despite their lack of experience her hair type. It could be argued that the salon was truly in a Catch-22 -- either decision could have resulted in a lawsuit.

Incidents like this make you wonder whether or not the hair industry should remain segregated to ensure quality for each race.


Jill298's photo
Tue 11/25/08 09:02 AM
Edited by Jill298 on Tue 11/25/08 09:03 AM
I don't think JCPennys was wrong... I don't see how her civil rights were violated because a stylist decided NOT to fk up her hair! grumble

Firehottie210's photo
Tue 11/25/08 09:13 AM
Thats a tricky situation if you think about it. She actually didnt violate any civil rights legislation in law bc she said african american and if the salon cant do the hair they cant do it.

blacks will sue over anything now a days no lie.

Jill298's photo
Tue 11/25/08 09:14 AM

Thats a tricky situation if you think about it. She actually didnt violate any civil rights legislation in law bc she said african american and if the salon cant do the hair they cant do it.

blacks will sue over anything now a days no lie.
Correction... ANYONE will sue over anything these days grumble

Winx's photo
Tue 11/25/08 09:16 AM

Thats a tricky situation if you think about it. She actually didnt violate any civil rights legislation in law bc she said african american and if the salon cant do the hair they cant do it.

blacks will sue over anything now a days no lie.


Your last sentence is NOT true.

Winx's photo
Tue 11/25/08 09:18 AM

It's my understanding that when one goes to a beauty school, they learn how to deal with all types of hair.

But..I can see if that person has not done it for awhile, they might be uncomfortable doing it again and damaging someone's hair.

I can also see how uncomfortable a person might to be turned down for a service due to one's race. I can't imagine how that would feel.

Giocamo's photo
Tue 11/25/08 09:27 AM

When Brenda McElmore showed up to get her hair dyed at a local JCPenney salon in Downey, Calif., she probably didn't expect to hear "no." Unfortunately, that's exactly what happened. According to McElmore, the receptionist at the front desk told her, "We don't do African American hair." McElmore says she was "astonished" to be denied service strictly because of her race.

After writing several letters to JCPenney about the incident, a representative responded with an apology, explaining that the "salon's receptionist did not feel [the salon's employees] had the technical proficiency to perform the service required." McElmore was not satisfied with that answer. "If you only want color -- I'm not asking for a perm or a style or anything else -- it doesn't take a special person or a special skill to do that," she said during a press conference last month .

McElmore recently called upon prominent defense attorney Gloria Allred to represent her in a lawsuit against JCPenney. In the lawsuit, Allred charges that JCPenney violated California's Unruh Civil Rights Act, which prohibits businesses from denying services based on race.

Black Voices contacted Allred's office and was informed by an employee that JCPenny has yet to respond to the lawsuit; they have 30 days to do so.

This incident raises an important question: "Should hairdressers be equipped to do all types of hair regardless of where they work?"People of all races have unique hair textures, but where do we draw the line? McElmore was not going in for what a white stylist may view as a complicated procedure, such as a perm or weave. She was simply trying to get her hair dyed. Most hair dye that is sold in stores is formulated to be used on all hair types. Though special hair dye, shampoos and products are tailored for each "race" or hair texture, it's safe to say that, for the most part, hair dye does not come in a white, black, Hispanic, or Asian category.

On the same token, some may feel that JCPenney was wise to deny McElmore service because they felt there was a good possibility they could have mishandled her hair. If that was the case, they might have ended up being sued for doing McElmore's hair despite their lack of experience her hair type. It could be argued that the salon was truly in a Catch-22 -- either decision could have resulted in a lawsuit.

Incidents like this make you wonder whether or not the hair industry should remain segregated to ensure quality for each race.




how I long for the 50's...frown

adj4u's photo
Tue 11/25/08 09:37 AM
interesting think i will wait for more responses before i respond to this one

no photo
Tue 11/25/08 09:38 AM
Edited by HockeyChick on Tue 11/25/08 09:41 AM


It's my understanding that when one goes to a beauty school, they learn how to deal with all types of hair.

But..I can see if that person has not done it for awhile, they might be uncomfortable doing it again and damaging someone's hair.

I can also see how uncomfortable a person might to be turned down for a service due to one's race. I can't imagine how that would feel.


I was trained to all types of hair when i went thru beauty school...here's the deal..they could have at least had one of the girls consult with her..i would have been up front and told her while i was trained, my experience was lacking...the customer can make a choice...that way if she chose to let someone f up her hair, she'd have no one to blame but herself...there wouldn't be a law suit, but JC Penney would have been paying for her to get her hair re done somewhere else...rofl

no photo
Tue 11/25/08 09:40 AM


When Brenda McElmore showed up to get her hair dyed at a local JCPenney salon in Downey, Calif., she probably didn't expect to hear "no." Unfortunately, that's exactly what happened. According to McElmore, the receptionist at the front desk told her, "We don't do African American hair." McElmore says she was "astonished" to be denied service strictly because of her race.

After writing several letters to JCPenney about the incident, a representative responded with an apology, explaining that the "salon's receptionist did not feel [the salon's employees] had the technical proficiency to perform the service required." McElmore was not satisfied with that answer. "If you only want color -- I'm not asking for a perm or a style or anything else -- it doesn't take a special person or a special skill to do that," she said during a press conference last month .

McElmore recently called upon prominent defense attorney Gloria Allred to represent her in a lawsuit against JCPenney. In the lawsuit, Allred charges that JCPenney violated California's Unruh Civil Rights Act, which prohibits businesses from denying services based on race.

Black Voices contacted Allred's office and was informed by an employee that JCPenny has yet to respond to the lawsuit; they have 30 days to do so.

This incident raises an important question: "Should hairdressers be equipped to do all types of hair regardless of where they work?"People of all races have unique hair textures, but where do we draw the line? McElmore was not going in for what a white stylist may view as a complicated procedure, such as a perm or weave. She was simply trying to get her hair dyed. Most hair dye that is sold in stores is formulated to be used on all hair types. Though special hair dye, shampoos and products are tailored for each "race" or hair texture, it's safe to say that, for the most part, hair dye does not come in a white, black, Hispanic, or Asian category.

On the same token, some may feel that JCPenney was wise to deny McElmore service because they felt there was a good possibility they could have mishandled her hair. If that was the case, they might have ended up being sued for doing McElmore's hair despite their lack of experience her hair type. It could be argued that the salon was truly in a Catch-22 -- either decision could have resulted in a lawsuit.

Incidents like this make you wonder whether or not the hair industry should remain segregated to ensure quality for each race.




how I long for the 50's...frown


i think you can find a time machine if you look hard enuff...we'll keep a light on for ya...

Winx's photo
Tue 11/25/08 09:46 AM


When Brenda McElmore showed up to get her hair dyed at a local JCPenney salon in Downey, Calif., she probably didn't expect to hear "no." Unfortunately, that's exactly what happened. According to McElmore, the receptionist at the front desk told her, "We don't do African American hair." McElmore says she was "astonished" to be denied service strictly because of her race.

After writing several letters to JCPenney about the incident, a representative responded with an apology, explaining that the "salon's receptionist did not feel [the salon's employees] had the technical proficiency to perform the service required." McElmore was not satisfied with that answer. "If you only want color -- I'm not asking for a perm or a style or anything else -- it doesn't take a special person or a special skill to do that," she said during a press conference last month .

McElmore recently called upon prominent defense attorney Gloria Allred to represent her in a lawsuit against JCPenney. In the lawsuit, Allred charges that JCPenney violated California's Unruh Civil Rights Act, which prohibits businesses from denying services based on race.

Black Voices contacted Allred's office and was informed by an employee that JCPenny has yet to respond to the lawsuit; they have 30 days to do so.

This incident raises an important question: "Should hairdressers be equipped to do all types of hair regardless of where they work?"People of all races have unique hair textures, but where do we draw the line? McElmore was not going in for what a white stylist may view as a complicated procedure, such as a perm or weave. She was simply trying to get her hair dyed. Most hair dye that is sold in stores is formulated to be used on all hair types. Though special hair dye, shampoos and products are tailored for each "race" or hair texture, it's safe to say that, for the most part, hair dye does not come in a white, black, Hispanic, or Asian category.

On the same token, some may feel that JCPenney was wise to deny McElmore service because they felt there was a good possibility they could have mishandled her hair. If that was the case, they might have ended up being sued for doing McElmore's hair despite their lack of experience her hair type. It could be argued that the salon was truly in a Catch-22 -- either decision could have resulted in a lawsuit.

Incidents like this make you wonder whether or not the hair industry should remain segregated to ensure quality for each race.




how I long for the 50's...frown


Why?

Giocamo's photo
Tue 11/25/08 09:46 AM



When Brenda McElmore showed up to get her hair dyed at a local JCPenney salon in Downey, Calif., she probably didn't expect to hear "no." Unfortunately, that's exactly what happened. According to McElmore, the receptionist at the front desk told her, "We don't do African American hair." McElmore says she was "astonished" to be denied service strictly because of her race.

After writing several letters to JCPenney about the incident, a representative responded with an apology, explaining that the "salon's receptionist did not feel [the salon's employees] had the technical proficiency to perform the service required." McElmore was not satisfied with that answer. "If you only want color -- I'm not asking for a perm or a style or anything else -- it doesn't take a special person or a special skill to do that," she said during a press conference last month .

McElmore recently called upon prominent defense attorney Gloria Allred to represent her in a lawsuit against JCPenney. In the lawsuit, Allred charges that JCPenney violated California's Unruh Civil Rights Act, which prohibits businesses from denying services based on race.

Black Voices contacted Allred's office and was informed by an employee that JCPenny has yet to respond to the lawsuit; they have 30 days to do so.

This incident raises an important question: "Should hairdressers be equipped to do all types of hair regardless of where they work?"People of all races have unique hair textures, but where do we draw the line? McElmore was not going in for what a white stylist may view as a complicated procedure, such as a perm or weave. She was simply trying to get her hair dyed. Most hair dye that is sold in stores is formulated to be used on all hair types. Though special hair dye, shampoos and products are tailored for each "race" or hair texture, it's safe to say that, for the most part, hair dye does not come in a white, black, Hispanic, or Asian category.

On the same token, some may feel that JCPenney was wise to deny McElmore service because they felt there was a good possibility they could have mishandled her hair. If that was the case, they might have ended up being sued for doing McElmore's hair despite their lack of experience her hair type. It could be argued that the salon was truly in a Catch-22 -- either decision could have resulted in a lawsuit.

Incidents like this make you wonder whether or not the hair industry should remain segregated to ensure quality for each race.




how I long for the 50's...frown


i think you can find a time machine if you look hard enuff...we'll keep a light on for ya...


lol...ummmm...how'd you know I was afraid of the dark...:laughing:

adj4u's photo
Tue 11/25/08 09:47 AM



It's my understanding that when one goes to a beauty school, they learn how to deal with all types of hair.

But..I can see if that person has not done it for awhile, they might be uncomfortable doing it again and damaging someone's hair.

I can also see how uncomfortable a person might to be turned down for a service due to one's race. I can't imagine how that would feel.


I was trained to all types of hair when i went thru beauty school...here's the deal..they could have at least had one of the girls consult with her..i would have been up front and told her while i was trained, my experience was lacking...the customer can make a choice...that way if she chose to let someone f up her hair, she'd have no one to blame but herself...there wouldn't be a law suit, but JC Penney would have been paying for her to get her hair re done somewhere else...rofl


not if they had her ackowledget he fact in writing

Winx's photo
Tue 11/25/08 09:48 AM



It's my understanding that when one goes to a beauty school, they learn how to deal with all types of hair.

But..I can see if that person has not done it for awhile, they might be uncomfortable doing it again and damaging someone's hair.

I can also see how uncomfortable a person might to be turned down for a service due to one's race. I can't imagine how that would feel.


I was trained to all types of hair when i went thru beauty school...here's the deal..they could have at least had one of the girls consult with her..i would have been up front and told her while i was trained, my experience was lacking...the customer can make a choice...that way if she chose to let someone f up her hair, she'd have no one to blame but herself...there wouldn't be a law suit, but JC Penney would have been paying for her to get her hair re done somewhere else...rofl


That's how it would have turned out if they had burned her hair.:thumbsup:

no photo
Tue 11/25/08 09:48 AM




It's my understanding that when one goes to a beauty school, they learn how to deal with all types of hair.

But..I can see if that person has not done it for awhile, they might be uncomfortable doing it again and damaging someone's hair.

I can also see how uncomfortable a person might to be turned down for a service due to one's race. I can't imagine how that would feel.


I was trained to all types of hair when i went thru beauty school...here's the deal..they could have at least had one of the girls consult with her..i would have been up front and told her while i was trained, my experience was lacking...the customer can make a choice...that way if she chose to let someone f up her hair, she'd have no one to blame but herself...there wouldn't be a law suit, but JC Penney would have been paying for her to get her hair re done somewhere else...rofl


not if they had her ackowledget he fact in writing


good call, but i don't know that any salon has that type of acknowledgment or disclaimer....

hellkitten54's photo
Tue 11/25/08 09:51 AM
If they went ahead and dyed her hair and it screwed up, she would have probably sued for that reason. *shrugs* These days, your damned if you do, damned if you don't.ohwell

hellkitten54's photo
Tue 11/25/08 09:52 AM
BTW, isn't that kind of lawsuit more suitable for judge judy?:tongue:

Ruth34611's photo
Tue 11/25/08 09:52 AM
REALLY tough situation. It sounds like the girl at the counter did not handle the situation very well. I think both the employee and the customer could be a little more understanding and I think the lawsuit is a bunch of bs.

Jill298's photo
Tue 11/25/08 10:04 AM
This can't be the first time an African American went into a JCPenny's salon....
I agree, the girl at the counter could have handled it differently. However, I think the lawsuit is BS and I'm very disappointed in Gloria Alred for taking this one up. I think they had every rite to refuse her service if they knew they couldn't give her what she wanted, without damaging her hair. I personally wouldn't choose an African American salon to go get my hair done and be pissed when they don't know what to do with it.

noblenan's photo
Tue 11/25/08 10:40 AM



It's my understanding that when one goes to a beauty school, they learn how to deal with all types of hair.

But..I can see if that person has not done it for awhile, they might be uncomfortable doing it again and damaging someone's hair.

I can also see how uncomfortable a person might to be turned down for a service due to one's race. I can't imagine how that would feel.


I was trained to all types of hair when i went thru beauty school...here's the deal..they could have at least had one of the girls consult with her..i would have been up front and told her while i was trained, my experience was lacking...the customer can make a choice...that way if she chose to let someone f up her hair, she'd have no one to blame but herself...there wouldn't be a law suit, but JC Penney would have been paying for her to get her hair re done somewhere else...rofl


It sounds like the handling of the situation was poorly at best! slaphead

glasses

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