Image: Mindaugas Kulbis/Associated Press
The United States Department of Defense will review new hairstyle regulations for all branches of service after female African-American soldiers and members of the Congressional Black Caucus called new U.S. Army hair rules "racially biased" when the new policy was instituted in late March.
"During the next three months, each service will review their hairstyle policies as they pertain to African-American women to ensure standards are fair and respectful of our diverse force, while also meeting our military service's requirements," Rear Adm. John Kirby, the Pentagon's press secretary, said Tuesday in a statement, echoing an order by Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel.
The new rules banned and further regulated natural hairstyles primarily worn by African-American women in an attempt to homogenize the appearance of American soldiers, according to The Washington Post. The U.S. Army cracked down on the width of braids, and banned both twists and dreadlocks, The New York Times reported.
Within five days after the military instituted the new regulations, 17,000 people had signed a White House petition asking for the policy to be reviewed, according to The Times. There are 26,700 African-American women on active duty in the army.
The 16 female members of the Congressional Black Caucus wrote a letter to Hagel earlier this month that asked for the rules to be revamped. The letter called the army's regulations "discriminatory," and said the policy displayed a lack of "cultural sensitivity."
On Tuesday, Hagel showed he was listening.
"After [Hagel] gets these reviews, after a thorough review of the service recommendations, he will make whatever appropriate adjustments to DoD policy [that] are necessary," Kirby said.
Congresswoman Marcia Fudge (D-Oh.), who chairs the Congressional Black Caucus, released an appreciative statement following the announcement.
"I want to thank Secretary Hagel for his thoughtful response to the concerns of members of the Congressional Black Caucus and to many women of color currently serving in our Armed Forces," she said. "Secretary Hagel has committed to a careful review of each service's language and grooming policies to ensure both are clear of offensive language and are respectful of the diversity within our armed forces." Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.
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