Centuries of Bias: Hair Discrimination Cases from the 1971 until now

octobre 07, 2024 Mireille Liong

As far back as we know, one of the earliest publicized instances of hair discrimination in America occurred in 1971 with Melba Tolliver, a news reporter for WABC-TV. Tolliver wore an Afro while covering the wedding of President Nixon’s daughter, and the backlash she faced from her employer to change her natural hair or be removed from her assignment laid bare a harsh reality: embracing natural Black hair was considered unprofessional and unacceptable.

A few years later, in 1976, the legal landscape began to shift with the landmark case Jenkins v. Blue Cross Mutual Hospital Insurance, Inc. Beverly Jenkins was denied a promotion solely because of her Afro hairstyle, and her legal victory helped set a precedent that racial identity and natural hair were intertwined. However, before these cases came to light, hair discrimination was pervasive and normalized across all areas of society, largely going unchallenged.

Fast forward to today, and the battle against hair discrimination remains ongoing. From workplaces to schools to the entertainment industry, Black people are still being penalized for wearing their natural hair. This blog compiles 169 hair discrimination cases spanning from 2016 to 2024, each one a testament to the systemic nature of this problem.

But this is just the beginning, and we need your help.
If you know of any other cases of hair discrimination—whether they occurred in a workplace, at school, or in other settings—please share them with us. Our goal is to build the most comprehensive record of hair discrimination cases, to shed light on this widespread issue, and to continue the fight for equal hair rights.

Click the link below to submit any cases that aren't listed here, and together, we can ensure that every story is heard and no case is overlooked.

News Story	City	Countrty	Date
Judge dismisses most claims in federal lawsuit filed by Black Texas student punished over hairstyle	Galveston	USA	8/6/2024
Ex-Flight Attendant Who Quit Her Job Because of Stress Caused By Being Asked to Change Her Hairstyle Loses Discrimination Lawsuit	London	UK	7/30/2024
An Illinois man alleges he was fired by a Des Moines company for not cutting his dreadlocks	Des Moines	USA	7/15/2024
Houchens Food Group to Pay $40,000 in EEOC Religious Discrimination Lawsuit	INDIANAPOLIS	USA	6/28/2024
N.J. influencer Samiyah Gaddy sues Ebin New York for alleged racial discrimination and harassment	New York	USA	6/13/2024
Ye Sued for Allegedly Discriminating Against Black Staff, Demanding Employee Cut Off His Locs	Simi Valley	USA	4/26/2024
Coils & Kinks KKKarma: Medical Supply Company Ordered To Pay $50K To Black Employee Fired Over ‘Unprofessional’ Natural Hair		USA	4/12/2024
American Screening settles EEOC case of racial hair discrimination	Shreveport	USA	4/10/2024
CT NAACP: Enfield ShopRite employee faced discrimination because of hair color	Connecticut	USA	3/13/2024
Referees Accused Of Discrimination After Black Basketball Player Barred From Game Due To Hair Beads	Maplewood	USA	1/25/2024
A Black actor was denied a wig for a major Broadway tour. She’s now suing for racial discrimination		USA	1/18/2024
I Went Up Against the Texas Legal System's Anti-Trans Hair Policy — And Won	Texas	USA	1/10/2024
Maryland Twisters Get Rocked by Discrimination Allegation Surrounding a 7-Year-Old Cheerleader Over Hair Policy Upheaval	Maryland	USA	12/19/2023
https://rollingout.com/2023/12/07/cop-says-city-misled-him-to-cut-locs/	Atlanta	USA	12/7/2023
Michigan hair salon charged with discrimination over social media posts	Traverse	USA	11/16/2023
A Black New Jersey police officer has filed a lawsuit alleging that she was discriminated against for wearing a particular hairstyle.	New Jersey	USA	11/15/2023
Black 7-Year-Old Kicked Off Cheer Team After Fight Over Her Hair (msn.com)	Maryland	USA	11/10/2023
Maplewood cop with traditional African hairstyle sues for hair discrimination	Maplewood	USA	11/9/2023
Duke Revises Policy to Prevent Race-Based Hair Discrimination			9/26/2023
Black student in Texas suspended twice for hairstyle despite state ban on racial discrimination	Mont Belvieu	USA	9/18/2023
Black student suspended from Barbers Hill High School in Texas because his dreadlocks fell below his earlobes as his mom blasts 'prejudice toward Black culture' - in the same week the state outlawed racial discrimination based on hair (msn.com)	Houston	USA	8/31/2023
Cheer coach resigns after parents say CMS cheer safety policy banning braids, wigs is discriminatory	Charlotte	USA	8/19/2023
Discrimination \| Fast-food worker with blonde braids sent home for having 'unnatural' hair	Harrisburg	USA	8/15/2023
No free-for-all - Judges rule there must be limits on freedom of expression in dreadlocks case	St Catherine	Jamaica	7/31/2023
They Asked Me To Cut My 6-Year-Old Son's Hair. I Taught Them About Native Cultural Erasure. (yahoo.com)	North Carolina	USA	7/27/2023
A black schoolgirl spent two days in isolation because of an "inappropriate hairstyle", her mum said.	Walsall	UK	7/6/2023
SA study calls for more culturally sensitive school policies amid reports of hair discrimination		South Africa	6/22/2023
Louisiana Slidell lawsuit child hair style	Slidell	USA	6/20/2023
Testimony of Janai S. Nelson Associate Director-Counsel NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. Before the United State House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security Hearing on Perspectives on TSA’s Policies to Prevent Unlawful Policing		USA	6/4/2023
Bozoma Saint John’s Latest Partnership Takes On Hair Discrimination In The Workplace		USA	5/24/2023
Queen Charlotte' star Golda Rosheuvel said she 'cried' after hairstylists made her feel seen. Here are 17 Black celebrities who faced hair discrimination on set.			5/15/2023
Queen Charlotte' star Golda Rosheuvel said she 'cried' after hairstylists made her feel seen. Here are 17 Black celebrities who faced hair discrimination on set.	Hollywood	USA	5/14/2023
Cam Newton Believes His Dreadlocks Are The Reason Why He's Not Signed To The NFL: 'I'm Not Changing'	Atlanta	USA	5/10/2023
Fired over dreadlocks, an Alabama woman sued and won $800,000	Alabama	USA	4/23/2023
Ritz job applicant informed of afro hair ban says hotel apology ‘disingenuous’	London	UK	4/12/2023
After asking Native American boy to cut his hair, Leland school accused of discrimination	San Jose	USA	3/21/2023
This young lady, high school aged came in & interviewed. Afterwards, Shannon says… “I know it’s a trend, but natural hair isn’t professional for an interview. I could see if she already had the job or for everyday wear, but she shouldn’t wear it to an interview.” The other lady sitting with her agreed.	Raleigh	USA	3/16/2023
Black women struggle to fight hair discrimination in corporate America	COLUMBUS	USA	3/2/2023
‘My hair is not my character’: Teens ask San Antonio council to ban natural hair discrimination	San Antonio	USA	3/2/2023
You need representation': Durham student advocates to end hair-based discrimination	Durham	USA	3/1/2023
Native moms who sued school after hair cutting support bill seeking to protect students’ religious, cultural freedom		USA	2/26/2023
Applicant’s refusal to cut dreadlocks was protected by Title VII, EEOC says	Kentucky	USA	1/10/2023
Tatum ISD hair discrimination lawsuit in federal court			10/20/2022
Family calls O'Gorman High School dress code 'culturally biased' (argusleader.com)	Sioux Falls	USA	8/29/2022
How Nathalie Emmanuel Fought Hair Discrimination On Set		USA	8/17/2022
How Nathalie Emmanuel Fought Hair Discrimination On Set			8/17/2022
Black women embrace wearing ‘natural’ hair at work	Delaware	USA	8/8/2022
Mass. just banned hair discrimination. These twins helped pave the way.	Boston	USA	7/29/2022
Hong Kong teen challenging school policy on long hair for boys lodges complaint to equality watchdog, citing ‘gender dysphoria’	Hong Kong	China	7/20/2022
Perspective \| My granddaughter could still face discrimination for her natural hair			5/10/2022
Targeted hair discrimination at East Bernard school, says mother	East Bernard	USA	5/7/2022
Another Black Texas Student Faces Hair Discrimination	Needville	USA	5/2/2022
Texas high school policy banning braided or twisted hair has stopped a teen from attending school, his mom says	Houston	USA	4/29/2022
Texas high school policy banning braided or twisted hair has stopped a teen from attending school, his mom says	Houston	USA	4/29/2022
A youth soccer player was ejected from a Bucks County game for wearing hair beads	Philadelphia	USA	4/29/2022
6 Kids Speak Out Against Hair Discrimination	New York	USA	4/22/2022
"Why Are You Contouring My Nose?" Black Canadian Actors Share Their Experiences with Hair and Makeup Discrimination		Canada	3/26/2022
CNN Settles Racial Discrimination Lawsuit Filed by Black Manager of Hair and Makeup Department	Washington	USA	3/17/2022
Black Women on Body Discrimination, From Colorism to Natural Hair Discrimination			12/15/2021
Basketball Australia apologizes for hair rule Tiffany Mitchell called out	Melbourne	Australia	12/14/2021
San Diego man sues employer for discrimination over natural hair style	San Diego	USA	12/6/2021
7 TIMES A BLACK PERSON WAS DISCRIMINATED AGAINST BECAUSE OF THEIR NATURAL HAIR	Texas	USA	12/6/2021
A Black job applicant is suing over hair discrimination, but the company says it was a misunderstanding	San Diego	USA	12/4/2021
A Black job applicant is suing over hair discrimination, but the company says it was a misunderstanding	Florida	USA	12/4/2021
Black woman fired for wearing natural hair instead of a wig, Louisiana lawsuit says	Shreveport	USA	10/28/2021
American Screening Sued by EEOC for Race Discrimination \| U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission	Shreveport	USA	10/27/2021
ACLU sues Magnolia ISD over male students' hair length policy	MAGNOLIA	USA	10/22/2021
Hair discrimination should be designated as a form of racism, campaigners and MPs say		UK	10/20/2021
Michigan Man Alleges Racial Discrimination in $1 Million Lawsuit Against School Whose Employee Cut Daughter's Hair	Michigan	USA	9/18/2021
US man files $1m lawsuit after Michigan teacher cuts child's hair	Michigan	USA	9/16/2021
A Lawsuit Alleges That an Albuquerque Middle School Discriminated Against a Black Student Due to Her Hair	Albuquerque	USA	8/1/2021
Rockville Catholic school’s hairstyle policies face scrutiny for racial discrimination	Rockville	USA	7/8/2021
Family accuses school head of discrimination over hair braids	Larnaca	Cyprus	6/28/2021
How a dreadlocked student sparked a movement for Black hair politics	Ghana	West Africa	6/9/2021
Rooted: 3 North Texas men with loc'd hairstyle were told 'cut your hair to get the job'	Dallas	USA	5/27/2021
Black lawmaker wearing her hair natural fights for right of all Black women to do the same		USA	5/17/2021
Black high school softball player told to remove beads cuts hair (usatoday.com)	Durham	England	5/13/2021
Umps tell Black NC softball player to cut her hair during a game. ‘It was humiliating’	North carolina	USA	5/12/2021
After Suspending an 11-Year-Old Black Boy for Wearing Braids, Texas School District Faces Lawsuit	Troy	USA	4/19/2021
After West Side School Forces 4-Year-Old To Remove His Braids, Parents Ask: Why Are We Policing Black Children’s Hair?	Chicago	USA	3/18/2021
This family fought a West Side school’s ban on Black hair styles — and now Illinois could ban hair discrimination	Chicago	USA	3/17/2021
Japan Hair Controversy Highlights Harmful School Policies	Osaka	Japan	2/22/2021
Halo Collective: It’s time to end hair discrimination in British schools	South London	UK	12/17/2020
16-Year-Old Black Student With Natural Hair Asked By School To 'Get Her Hair Done			12/6/2020
Join Us In The Fight To Eradicate Hair Discrimination		UK	11/23/2020
Judge Rules Banning Dreadlocks In The Workplace Is Not Discrimination	Mobile	USA	10/26/2020
Texas school district's dreadlocks ban discriminatory, federal court rules	Houston	USA	8/18/2020
As a Black woman, I faced hair discrimination on my second day in the Navy		USA	7/2/2020
Ruby Williams: No child with afro hair should suffer like me	London	UK	2/10/2020
Pupil repeatedly sent home from school over afro hair wins £8,500 payout	London	UK	2/7/2020
U.K. boy Farouk James can't find school that will allow his long, natural hair; mother fights hair discrimination policy	London	UK	1/28/2020
NJ bans hair discrimination after wrestler forced to cut dreadlocks or forfeit his match	Buena	USA	12/20/2019
Catholic schools are still cracking down on braids and cornrows despite anti-discrimination laws	New York	USA	12/2/2019
CROWNing Glory: New York City Just Resolved Its First Hair Discrimination Case—and a Celebrity Stylist Is Going to Pay	New York	USA	11/12/2019
Mother-Daughter Duo Demand Dominican Government Ban Hair Discrimination In Schools: Exclusive	Santo Domingo	Dominican Republic	4/3/2019
Mother of boy ordered to cut dreadlocks accuses school of racial discrimination	London	UK	2/27/2019
When hair breaks rules: Some black children are getting in trouble for natural hairstyles	Florida	USA	2/23/2019
Boys should be allowed to have long hair at school - Victoria Uni law professor Dr Dean Knight	Auckland	New Zealand	1/31/2019
Father sues school for sending home his dreadlocks-wearing daughter		Kenya	1/10/2019
DAD TAKES LEGAL ACTION AGAINST SCHOOL THAT BANNED SON'S DREADLOCKS	Apopka	USA	11/30/2018
London school that told boy to cut off dreadlocks backs down	London	UK	9/13/2018
Tokyo Vanity Can Rest Easy after Judge Temporarily Blocks Niece’s School from Enforcing Natural Hair Policy	Los Angeles	USA	8/26/2018
‘Unnatural’ hair causes Black girl to be expelled from Catholic school	Terrytown	USA	8/22/2018
Florida school receiving death threats after turning away 6-year-old with dreadlocks	Florida	USA	8/16/2018
Sydney barber who refused to cut girls hair settles discrimination case	Sydney	Australia	7/11/2018
I’ve learned to embrace my afro with confidence but employers are still discriminating against black hair	London	UK	7/8/2018
Temp Agency Says No Dreadlocks, Braids And Beards In 'Discriminatory' Policy	Birmingham	UK	7/3/2018
A black woman lost a job offer because she wouldn't cut her dreadlocks. Now she wants to go to the Supreme Court.	US	USA	4/18/2018
A Visual History of Iconic Black Hairstyles			2/28/2018
Destiny Tompkins Files $1 Million Discrimination Lawsuit Against Banana Republic After Ex-Store Manager Called Her Braids 'Too Urban'	New York	USA	10/9/2017
This Morning viewers furious at 'racist' school who banned boy with dreadlocks leaving his mother in tears			9/15/2017
Mother says North Texas school district's ban on son's long hair is gender discrimination	Joshua	USA	8/23/2017
Meet The Army Sergeant Who Fought The Army's Ban On Braids			8/17/2017
When Black Hair Violates The Dress Code			7/17/2017
Las Vegas Reporter Receives Racist Hate Mail Saying Her Hair Isn't Properly Cleaned			5/26/2017
COOK V. MYSTIC VALLEY REGIONAL CHARTER SCHOOL	Massachusetts	USA	5/21/2017
2 Black Students Question School Discipline For Hair Extensions	Malden	USA	5/16/2017
School hair furore shows basic misunderstanding of anti-discrimination law	Bentleigh	Austrailia	3/31/2017
Waitress Sent Home From Work for Wearing Her Natural Hair in a Bun		Canada	3/28/2017
Sisterlocks struggle: Stylists want fewer restrictions to braid hair	Washington	USA	3/20/2017
Black Women Speak About Natural Hair Bias in the Workplace		USA	2/24/2017
Natural hair in the workplace sparks legal debate in the black community			11/17/2016
U.S. Court Rules Dreadlock Ban During Hiring Process Is Legal			9/22/2016
South African students protest against school’s alleged racist hair policy	Pretoria	South Africa	9/1/2016
Texas mother accuses high school of racial discrimination after coach 'bans cheer squad's only black member from performing over her braided hair'	Baytown	USA	8/31/2016
Natural Hair Is "Extreme, Distracting" According to a Louisiana High School's Dress Code			8/4/2016
Wear a weave at work - your afro hair is unprofessional'	London	UK	5/15/2016
Black worker claims Zara discriminated against her braid hairstyle	Toronto	Canada	4/11/2016
Uniform board decision updates hair regulations			12/14/2015
Black Woman Loses Job Offer Because She Refused to Take Out Her Braids		USA	11/25/2015
Former Hooters Waitress Awarded $250,000 in Racial Discrimination Case	Baltimore	USA	4/8/2015
Young black Montrealer claims she’s losing work over her hair - Montreal \| Globalnews.ca	Montreal	Canada	3/17/2015
Rastafarian Student Reportedly Punished At School Over Dreadlocks			8/26/2014
Army’s Ban on Some Popular Hairstyles Raises Ire of Black Female Soldiers			4/20/2014
Hair Makes the Man: Federal Appellate Court Says Short-Hair Requirement for Male Athletes Is Sex Discrimination	Greensburg	USA	3/18/2014
Lawsuit: Prison guard harassed over Rastafarian dreadlocks, beard	North Kern	USA	2/14/2014
NFL Reporter Pam Oliver on Her Career & Mean Tweets			2/1/2014
11 Examples Highlighting the War Against Natural Black Hair			1/11/2014
Dreadlock Drawback: Baltimore School Backs Off Controversial Hair Policy			12/3/2013
African-American Girl Faces Expulsion Over Natural Hair			11/27/2013
Vanessa VanDyke Could Be Expelled After Having Her Hair Mocked			11/26/2013
Vanessa VanDyke Could Be Expelled After Having Her Hair Mocked			11/26/2013
Bullied 12-year-old girl is threatened with expulsion from school for refusing to cut her natural afro hair			11/26/2013
Company Policy Requires Missouri Woman To Cut Her Dreadlocks To Keep Her Job			10/24/2013
Hundreds of women suing after hair loss, blaming 30-day smoothing kit			10/17/2013
Mobile Catastrophic Insurance Claims Company Sued by EEOC for Race Discrimination over Hair Policy			9/30/2013
Oklahoma school changes policy on dreadlocks			9/11/2013
School that barred 7-year-old's dreadlocks changes dress-code policy			9/10/2013
Tulsa school sends girl home because 'dreadlocks' and 'afros' are too distracting			9/4/2013
Comedian criticized for slamming nappy hair			9/4/2013
Ohio School Apologizes After Attempting To Ban 'Afro-Puffs' And 'Twisted Braids'			6/25/2013
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/hampton-university-cornrows-dreadlock-ban_n_1826349			8/26/2012
Hampton University's Cornrows And Dreadlock Ban: Is It Right?			8/26/2012
ACLU of Virginia Asks Prison to Rescind Racially Discriminatory Hairstyle Policy			6/19/2012
Six Flags: Stop Discriminating Against People With Dreadlocks			6/1/2012
Lawrence Transportation Systems To Pay $30,000 To Settle EEOC Religious Discrimination Lawsuit Moving Company Denied Qualified Applicant Religious Accommodation			8/16/2011
School's refusal to let boy wear cornrow braids is ruled racial discrimination	London	UK	6/17/2011
Taylor family settles lawsuit with Auburn City Schools	Auburn	USA	12/21/2010
Women Denied Work at Park Because of Dreadlocks			4/23/2010
Dreadlock Discrimination By Jewel C. Smith Jun 28, 2009 - 10:13:30 PM		USA	6/28/2009
ACLU Files Racial Discrimination Lawsuit Against Virginia Beach Nightspot Over Hair Policy			1/18/2007
At Six Flags, the Don'ts of Dos			6/17/2006
ACLU Says Louisiana Dress Code Denies Rastafarian Children the Right to an Education			9/18/2000
Tatum, a restaurant cashier at the Hyatt hotel, was fired for wearing her hair in braids	Washington	USA	9/23/1987
Rogers v. American Airlines, Inc., 527 F. Supp. 229 (S.D.N.Y. 1981)	New York	USA	12/1/1981
" Jenkins v. Blue Cross Mutual Hospital Insurance Inc: This case involved a claim of hair discrimination in the workplace"		USA	9/1/1975
OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNSEL FISCAL YEAR 2009 ANNUAL REPORT			7/1/1905
Religious Discrimination
Is Six Flags Racist Against Dreadlocks?