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9 Hastings Race & Poverty L.J. 33 (2012)
Don't Get it Twisted: Why Employer Hairstyle Prohibitions are Racially Discriminatory

handle is hein.journals/hasrapo9 and id is 41 raw text is: Don't Get it Twisted: Why Employer Hairstyle Prohibitions are Racially Discriminatory DEVIN D. COLLIER* Introduction Does the way I wear my hair make me a better person? Does the way I wear my hair make me a better friend? Does the way I wear my hair determine my integrity? I am expressing my creativity .. . If I wanna shave it close Or if I wanna rock locks ... If I wanna wear it braided All down my back I don't see what's wrong with that ... 1 The above quote, by soul singer India Arie, captures the discourse this note attempts to advance. This note, however, takes the lyrics one step further and maintains that certain employer hairstyle prohibitions constrain African-American cultural identity * Devin D. Collier, Esq. is a civil rights attorney in Florida. J.D., Florida A&M University College of Law, 2011; B.A., University of West Florida, 2006. Collier.Devin@gmail.com. I extend my sincerest gratitude to Professor Rhonda Reaves at the Florida A&M University College of Law for sharing her tremendous expertise on Antidiscrimination Law in addition to providing enormous support and guidance on this article. Thank you to the faculty at Florida A&M University College of Law and the professors at the 2011 SE/SW People of Color Conference for providing insightful comments and suggestions during presentations at faculty colloquia. Special thanks to Professors Robert H. Abrams, Dr. Jeremy I. Levitt, Jendayi Saada, and Patricia Broussard for their progressive thoughts and endless encouragements. I would also like to thank the staff of the Hastings Race and Poverty Law Journal for their superb editorial assistance and thoughtful observations on this article. Last but not least, I am deeply appreciative of the unwavering support of my wife and daughter, Michelle L. Collier and Mia D. Collier. Any errors are my own. 1. INDIA ARIE, I Am Not My Hair, on TESTIMONY 1: VOL. 1, LIFE & RELATIONSHIP (Motown Records 2006). [33]