A Hairy Bias
"The boy who came in after me looked just like me [...] the only difference? He had short hair."
By Kennon Redding
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to this Commentary!
Youth Radio's Kennon Redding shares his experience with job discrimination. He says a prospective employer discriminated against him because of his long hair. Kennon reflects on why the employer didn't like his shoulder length braids, and why he's not backing down in favor of a new hairstyle. (October 21 on WABE)
I’ll never forget the day I walked into a store for a job application and the manager told me they were not hiring... It was no big deal, until I heard a guy walk in after me and ask the same thing. The manager gave him an application and said they were looking to hire someone!
The boy who came in after me looked just like me – we both had on white t-shirts, the same shorts and the same low-top Air Force One shoes. He was even the same complexion...the only difference? He had short hair. My hair flows down to my shoulders and it is mostly braided.
Deciding who I am based on my hairstyle is unfair. I wish people would take time to look at my personality and my qualifications instead.
I guess people might think I’m a thug with this hairstyle.
I am never going to cut my hair for anyone. So, I know it may take me a long time to get a job. I’m willing to wait until someone respects me for me.
- Youth Radio Atlanta is produced in cooperation with WABE and funded in part by The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation.
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