Officer Thomas Strain, a white police officer in the 35th District of Philadelphia, was put on desk duty this month because he came to work with cornrows. According to reports, Strain was ordered to get a haircut because the braids violated department standards yet dozens of black officers wear cornrows.
Police policy requires officers to have “clean, properly trimmed and combed hair” that doesn’t prevent them from wearing their uniform hat “in a military-manner”. Although Strain was told to get a haircut, he was not formally disciplined.
WOW! Discrimination I tell you! I can’t help but smile at this for some reason though. :0
LLLMMMMAAAAOOOOO
i’d rather not comment on this
It’s discrimination since the black officers are allowed to wear cornrows. The department probably thought he did it for the wrong intentions or that it would cause a stir in the streets with blacks.
Let the damn man wear his cornrows.
See, there’s discrimination all across the board. Why does it look like synthetic hair was added though? HILARIOUS!!!
hell naw..i dont know what to say about this
Is it really that serious? Leave the man and his cornrows alone.
so what? white people kill me. ah the joy in burdening yourself for fun. kick rocks.
I don’t think it’s discrimination. What if he decides to wear a blonde wig or skirt to work? Why not allow men officers to wear lip stick or high heels? Is it discrimination to tell a woman officer that she can’t shave her head and grow a beard? Why not show up for work wearing a Indian Turban? Let everyone get a tatoo on their face like Mike Tyson.
The cornrow has a significance to black people. There’s a clear line between rules and traditions. We shouldn’t cross the lines just to offend or challenge others. Bo Dereck was labeled a “10″ when she braided her hair in cornrows. She was far from it in my opinion.
People need to stay in their lanes. Don’t hate or discriminate, but certaintly we shouldn’t imitate. That white officer know he was wrong. What’s next, white people showing up to work wearing dashikis and afro-wigs?
If it’s against policy, then I don’t have a problem with it. However, if other races are able to have this same hair style, then it’s clearly gonna be a legal issue here.
im not surprised and this is Philadelphia so who could be shocked to hear this they dont want to see white men with cornrows and no matter what job you have cornrows could only get you so far if you want to be taken seriously cut the cornrows
I wasn’t aware that ANY police officer was allowed to wear cornrows…Anyway, this all smells like a set-up to me. I don’t trust this white cop. White people are too quick to yell reverse racism. I say..not so fast.
@ Meat
That’s discrimination all day! It is possible for white people to be victims of discrimination. It may not be as common, or liked; however it does happen.
wat lol, this is so funny and yet so wrong, this is discrimmination, that man should file a lawsuit
That shit ain’t funny…there’s discrimination all around and us Black folk its only wrong when its US that are the victims.
That’s better than white people with [ dirty ] dreads.
At least his cornrows are neat…
@ Meat. You probally don’t understand about discrimination?
There are no lanes and no hair style is exclusive to one single ethnic background. People are just that, people, and everyone is different in the way we dress it up.
@ Meat….I agree. Im a teacher. And there’s no wayyyyy in hell I cud dye my hair blonde and come to work…HOWEVER, a white man cud dye his blonde all day long and nothing is said to him. Im not sayin cornrolls are limited to AA, but like @ MEAT said…stay in yo lane when it comes to your job
I’m sorry, did they draw blood tests to discern who’s black who’s not?
Discrimination.
@Meat…please go somewhere with that ignorance. AFRICAN AMERICANS are not the only people in this world that are discriminated against. That is wrong for him not be able to wear his hair in braids. any race can rock braids, and sweetie so called “blacks” are not the only culture with Kinky/Afro hair. Your saying dont hate or discriminate BUT, thats exactly what your doing.
Of course an OFFICER should not wear a skirt or lipstick because number one that isnt apart of there uniform, number two make-up should not be of importance as well. Now if a woman chose to shave her head and grow facial hair thats her personal buisness and she should not be judged by her personal appearance.
I dont know who told you that BRAIDS are only for BLACKS but they must of have been ignorant as well. Braids date all the way back to the EGYPTIANS that styled there hair in braids all the time and they were not of African descent. As a young AFRICAN AMERICAN sister I am very proud and wise enough to know not to never apply myself to the stereotypes and “TRADITIONS” that soceity has placed amongst human beings. There is NO RULE ANYWHERE that states Braids are only for BLACK PEOPLE…thats almost as foolish as saying Ignorance is only applied to Black ppl.
That is how US as nation of people become seperated from each other. When we allow this world to identify whom we are as individuals regardless of our backgrounds or skintone.
I say he should sue the hell out of that department for discrimination.
They stopped him from wearing those cornrows because the white man is telling his brother that there is a time for play and there is a time to be serious. The white man knows that this man is only wearing cornrows because he has listened to too much hip hop, slept with too many whorish black women, and watched too much NBA basketball. In other words, he can play make believe and dress up in his spare time, but the police department is one of the main fronts of oppression and a certain image must be upheld. A white man with a “black look” will lead to confusion in their ranks. The black police officers normally imitiate the racism against blacks that they see the white officers exhibit, in hopes of gaining master’s approval. If they see master trying to be a black man, the wrong message is sent. With the white man, everything is psychological. Everything, lol.
Let the man wear his damn cornrows. At least they’re tight unlike some brothers whose do’s aint lookin quite so good.
I’d sue that department, if I were him. Pisstake…
xoxo
He should be able to wear his hair however he feels, it has nothing to do with his work ethic?
When @MEAT said “stay in your lane” I believe he or she is referring to what appears natural or professional due to your race or ethinicity. I TOTALLY see where some of you are coming from with the discrimination…but I can understand why he was pulled.
@AMYWINEHOUSEFAN
The Egyptians were of so-called African, Hamitic descent. They were black. The white man teaches that they were not black for numerous reasons. Also, America didn’t “become separate”. It started out separate and now is trying to act as if it wants everyone to come together, through the use of a delusional mentality (of which you obviously believe).
wow @ judah… why they gotta be whorish black women? i see where you are going with your statement though. maybe the white men at his job are trying to maintain their status and appearance by differentiating themselves from the black cops? maybe the white guy was trying to make some sort of “black face” statement and others took offense to it and that’s why the office took action? in any event, they cannot say he can’t do something if they allow others to do it. that is not fair. everyone should follow the same rules. i personally think that any man willing to risk their life for others should be able to wear their hair any damn way they want whether they are white or black.
PERSONALLY, I WOULDNT CONDONE ANY CERTAIN GROUP OF MALES TO WEAR CORNROWS OR DREDLOCKS IN A PROFESSIONAL SETTING PERIOD, BUT THATS JUST ME. ALTHOUGH IM TOTALLY AWARE THAT THOSE HAIRSTYLES CAN BE INDEED NEED AND ATTRACTIVE ON A MAN (IM A SUCKER FOR DREDS, LOL) UNFORTUNATELY WE LIVE IN A WORLD WHERE PEOPLE DO JUDGE U BY UR APPEARANCE, ESPECIALLY IN CORPORATE AMERICA, I SEE IT EVERYDAY. FIRST IMPRESSIONS ARE EVRYTHING.
NEED=NEAT
let the man wear his cornrows..geez!
LMAO!
No ,,, fool’s it’s Not discriminate , he’s out of place ,, I have never seen a Black cop doing that ,, he’s full of it .
You know it kind of makes me think about a topic posted on CL a while back about how our African American sisters get discriminated against for wanting to wear there natural hair to work. Like with the Afro’s, Dreads, Braids so forth..any image that basically screams power or ethnicty….which I believe Afros and so forth to me has some form of a powerful statement. But, I do not think that this man was trying to look a certain culture. I do not believe in such foolishness. Theres no such thing as a white look or a black look. God gave us all the freedom to look and be whom we please. But to also be thankful of how he made us. Now my question is…..
Should white ppl discriminate against Black women that chooses to wear there natural hair in a so called white womans style? Meaning with Chemically relaxed her or Indian/Caucasin weaves?? Should they not hire a black woman because they feel she is trying to look so called “white”?
But see, the difference in that is society is teachin US (AFRICAN AMERICANS) Thats its okay to look WHITE but never ok to look BLACK. smh.
*lol* Typo..I meant to say Chemically relaxed *Hair*..not *Her*…lol
20. AMYWINEHOUSEFAN, you seem a little conflicted about Egypt and African geology. And, you still didn’t prove the point that Thomas Strain’s action were inappropriate. You need to go to rehab and check out all the people who flipped. Is it okay for Thomas to wear an afro-wig to work? What about him getting implants under his uniform? Or, botox to make his lips look bigger? I know, Thomas could dye his skin like milk chocolate or honey! He should have a right to recreate himself in the likeness of the people he loves and admires. And, if he hears other black officers use the n-word…he should be allowed to use it too. And, while we’re at it, shouldn’t he be allowed to go into the lady’s room and rest on that lounge chair. After all, we don’t want a double standard.
You and @17 Richard don’t understand…the majority shouldn’t be allow to start taking pot-shots at the minority. The irony of this discussion is that the less we talk about it…the sooner it will go away.
I don’t care for that kind of hair style in the workplace on anyone. But if it’s allowed for once race of people, it should be allowed for all. I think Martin Luther King would agree.
@ AMYWINEHOUSEFAN, I AINT TRYNA BE RUDE BUT FOR ALL THAT INTELLIGENT TALKING, YOUR ACTUALLY QUITE SIMPLE! EGYPT IS IN AFRICA, GO READ A BOOK/MAP PLEASE SMDH
32. AMYWINEHOUSEFAN said: “society is teachin US (AFRICAN AMERICANS)”. That statement makes you sound fake…like you’re not black at all. You wouldn’t be the first white person to come on CL and pretend to be black. That would make you just as bogus as Thomas Strain. If you are scamming, come clean, and we could have a much deeper conversation. Then, I could tell you some things that will add years and richness to your life.
Philly is one of the most racist cities that I have ever seen. So, I’m sure that Thomas put a lot of thought into his performance, before he stepped on center stage. There will always be those who seek attention at the expense of others. Philly has a murder everyday, but young Thomas felt the need to distract from those who protect and serve. A crime has been committed. Thomas had the means and opportunity, but what was his motive for showing up at work…mimicking his black co-workers?
What’s next, Thomas? You come to work wearing a turban? Keep that up and you’ll be driving a taxi cab rather than a squad car.
dear AMYWINEHOUSEFAN…
Egypt is in Africa. It is thus African. sooooo you’re wrong.
@CANDI…yea thats true mama, but that doesnt mean its Right. Dig it ma, corporate America manily consist of “white” people…which is why we most certainly need more ethncity within “the coporate America.” To them any style that isnt of what they believe is attractive or acceptable which isnt AFROS DREADS BRAIDS TWIST ANY style that basically may relate to ppl such as us, or latinos or basically anybody that isnt white…is the wrong kind of image. And thats how our heritage and whom we are as indiviuals gets robbed and replaced. if we continue to allow this world to control what we look like and how we are to present ourselves then how will we ever be able to face whom we are as individuals?? if nobody takes a stand against it…it will forever persist…..Yes its most certainly a way to carry yourself in your job place but when it comes to changing your hairstyle that isnt overly dramatic or to the fact that is literally blocking focus of your career then I dont see any problem with a sister rocking her buisness suit carryin her briefcase with a full blowned out Afro, or a white man thats doing his job wearing a precisely neat uniform and wearing his hair braided to the back??
Now who was complainin when in the 18th century Colonial “white” men (like Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin) where rocking long pure white wigs with BIG Pimpin curls or long BRAIDS with bows and crap?? LMAO…nobody…and I found that atrocitous…lol
I’m with # 3
All though I see where this is going..
I honestly don’t believe they would allow him to work if he came in with a spiked mo-hawk dyed orange. If they want their workers to look professional and they don’t believe that is..oh well. Black people WILL ALWAYS think someone or something is racist so it doesn’t matter.
@Lee
I said whorish because any black woman that would lay down with a white man is a whore. This society promotes whoredom though. They call it “women’s lib” or “feminism”. This is why most of the black women that would comment on a thread like this will stick up for the white man. They’ve been well-trained; and quite honestly, if they’re not actual whores, they tend to be spiritual whores with no respect for their own peoples suffering or history.
@AMYWINEHOUSE
God did not allow us to be or do whatever we want. The scriptures don’t state that. I notice that many people confuse the white man’s Declaration of Independence and his Constitution with the Word of God. Very revealing. I notice it especially in so-called “pro-black” black women, lol. Whether anyone wants to acknowledge it or not, there are looks and clothing that are indicative and peculiar to certain races. A black man can wear a kimono if he wants to, but everyone knows that the kimono is Japanese in origin. It’s confusion, and again, the main pushers of the equality doctrine are black people because blacks don’t know a damn thing about their own history.
anyone who is fool enough to wear them tight azz braids that give you headaches so bad you can’t sleep is a FOOL and should be fired.
AND anyone wearing the nasty matted hair, can’t be combed, dreadlocks should be denied a job and be fired. GOOD HYGIENE MEANS COMBING YOUR HAIR EVERY DAY.
@AMYWINEHOUSEFAN, I HEAR U. BUT SEE THIS ISSUE IS BIGGER THAN U AND ME AND I DONT WORRY ABOUT THINGS I CANT CONTROL. ITS ALL A GAME, PLAY SMART OR MISS OUT.
Maybe I’m ignorant, but I thought ALL male officers had to have regular clean cuts. I still wonder why he decided to wear them to work…kind of makes me feel like he did it to prove some kind of point, not sure what it’d be but its still a curious move.
wow, thats messed up… if he got in trouble, all the black officers should get in trouble too. smh.
CR lawsuit, dumb on the departments part, you cannot hold one cop (white) one to a standard you do not hold others to, chaching goes the piggy bank.
Honestly, (I have lived in Brooklyn NY all my life since a baby) & I have not seen black officers out here wearing corn rolls. 9 times out of 10 I see them wearing a blad head or its cut really low, close to the head. & I live around 2 precints & a Fire station. I have never seen black officers or even fire fighters wearing their hair in corn rolls.
Amd as for the WHITE officers this is the first time I have ever saw a white officer (in photo) wearing corn rows. (looks funny to me..Boe Derick immediately comes to mind) LOL. But I can believe that it is procedure/policy not to wear their hair in corn rows (any officer) because I have never saw an office wearing them in his head around where I live or have lived and I am 32 years old now.
CORRECTION OFFICERS on the other hand I have seen them (black) sporting corn rows. Plenty of times. over the years. But the police NYPD & FDNY—never seen it.
JUDAH equals self-loathing asshole. You came from a black woman, dummy, stop hating us because you are only hating yourself. Do you ever say anything positive about black women? Shit, so tired of your tyrannical b.s. which you only display behind screens. You are the worst kind of negro. You are the kind of negro that envelops self-loathing through your pseudo intellectual diatribe. STFU already and go lay on a couch and tell someone who cares to uncover why you hate your mother for not wanting you which is the reason you hate and continue to berate and lash out at black women.
wow i cant believe amywhinehousefan thinks egypt is not of africa. WOW!!!!!!
tell me you didnt graduate high school.
So Judah I heard you commenting about white women before do that make you bias
I say, tell every last one of them black and white to cut that shit off.
@49 R U SERIOUS
You know what, I really can’t understand why a black man would so openly put down a black woman who has suffered for so many years at the hands of almost every man since we have been put on this earth. It’s really not our fault that we have to be strong, look at what we have to work with.
I feel you Sista!
it is discrimation i saw people of all diffeent types (not all different types) but i saw whites light skin and mix ppl with braids its not just for blacks
@42 what is you talking about what if a a black man and white women go toogether or anyother race got with someone who is a diifferent race then them
What in the hell? This is just dumb!
@R U Serious
People who have the lack of understanding that you have pay me a compliment when you disagree with me. I’m speaking on a societal level and you, being the spiritual whore that you are, are speaking on a materialistic level. This is why you cannot comprehend. Anyone can pursue and receive monetary damages in this society. That is not the issue. The issue is; what was the purpose, agenda, and motivation of the cop who put cornrows in his hair (being fully aware of the connotations), and the police department for prohibiting him from wearing them. That is real conversation. Any clown can deduce that he can win a discrimination lawsuit.
Let me also say that you really need to analyze why you’re so angry at what I said about some black women. The only answer can be: 1)You’re one of those women (which I’m sure you are, lol) 2)The truth hurts. That’s up to you to grapple with within that marble that you believe is a mind lol. I already had to remind “AMYWINEHOUSE” that the Egyptians were black Africans. Let me remind you of something that you should know. A MAN and a woman make a baby. The Lord gives the baby a spirit. That is how a person is created. Remember that? Ya’ll kill me with that “You came out a woman muf*cka!”, lmao. Yes I did, and before I was in that woman, I, like all humans, was within the sperm of a man, lmao. I hope that this isn’t too complex for you, smh.
@MISSY POO
I’m not familiar with what you’re talking about. I’m not concerned with the cavewoman in any way, shape, or form. I think that black women are overly fascinated by, and overly concerned with white people in general and the white woman in particular.
@KIDDO
Lmao, now when the white man cuts off all those programs for you and stops giving you jobs that you don’t deserve and can’t do because his economy is in the tank, we’ll see how “strong” you are.
This police officer probably did it because the black cops did. For some God for saken reason, this idiot has taken it upon himself to go out of his way to get corn rolls bc he is upset because a few black cops wear the hair do. Whatever! Suspend him.
@ JUDAH
So when or if the white man does that, who are we going to lean on, your asses! I think not!
You need some serious Help!
48. Tianni, Now that you mention it, I have never seen an officer with cornrows…which makes this whole story more suspect. I’ve never seen a correction officer with cornrows.
Also Sistas,
It is a waste of time to try and reason with someone who calls black women out of their names just for the sake of starting an argument. He thrives on saying shocking things against black women. When he’s ignored, he usually goes away, so don’t trip on all his raci$t and $exist comments. He obviously has a big problem with his mother. Why would anyone have such a harsh opinion and make such nasty statement about other people? By ignoring him, he will get more belligerent for a while, but eventually, he will back off. He needs serious help and responding to him only fuels the flames.