The Ed.
Well-Known Member
Ashley Weatherford, Washington DC resident and black woman, has discovered that she is being charged more for her visits to the hair salon than her white counterparts. After visiting no less than twelve salons, she finally settled on one that only charged her an extra $20 to do her 'ethnic' hair.
"The salon didnt call it this, but it was effectively a black-hair fee and, though I resented it, I needed to pay the piper each time." What choice did she have? The salon advertised that it specialised in natural, or black hair care and her stylist, Amanda (who is incidentally DC's black-hair darling) could cut, dry and flat iron Weatherford's hair in under an hour. So, if that's the case, why the extra charge?
Weatherford said, "When I first looked at the website for Amandas salon, the cost of a haircut was listed at $49 palatable for a cash-strapped millennial. The bottom line of the price list has an asterisk and a vague reference to an additional "relaxed/natural hair" charge, but because my hair isnt relaxed, I didnt think that was speaking to me. And because Im a little defiant, I neglected to call the salon for the relaxed/natural hair pricing ahead of my first appointment. I reasoned that all hair is natural, unless it isnt.
"So when I paid $82, not including tip a $33 premium from the advertised price on my initial visit, I was shocked. What do you say when an acclaimed business tells you that the hair that you were born with is too difficult? That the curly and coil-y legacy, gifted to you by your parents, is a burden to the professionals trained to treat it? That you ought to be financially penalized for this?"
It's a fair point and one that black women across America are dealing with everyday. There's no doubt that some hair will take longer to cut, dry and style, but this is balanced out with the 'easy' short styles that are done in much less time. Also, what about those women who aren't black with masses of unruly, curly, wiry hair? They exist too. Are they being charged this extra premium? It's a grey and very murky area and one that needs looking at.
It shocks me that this is happening and reminds me of the salon in London that charged larger women more for waxing. Is this happening in UK salons too? Do Australian salons have the same policy?
Until then geek on!
The Ed.
"The salon didnt call it this, but it was effectively a black-hair fee and, though I resented it, I needed to pay the piper each time." What choice did she have? The salon advertised that it specialised in natural, or black hair care and her stylist, Amanda (who is incidentally DC's black-hair darling) could cut, dry and flat iron Weatherford's hair in under an hour. So, if that's the case, why the extra charge?
Weatherford said, "When I first looked at the website for Amandas salon, the cost of a haircut was listed at $49 palatable for a cash-strapped millennial. The bottom line of the price list has an asterisk and a vague reference to an additional "relaxed/natural hair" charge, but because my hair isnt relaxed, I didnt think that was speaking to me. And because Im a little defiant, I neglected to call the salon for the relaxed/natural hair pricing ahead of my first appointment. I reasoned that all hair is natural, unless it isnt.
"So when I paid $82, not including tip a $33 premium from the advertised price on my initial visit, I was shocked. What do you say when an acclaimed business tells you that the hair that you were born with is too difficult? That the curly and coil-y legacy, gifted to you by your parents, is a burden to the professionals trained to treat it? That you ought to be financially penalized for this?"
It's a fair point and one that black women across America are dealing with everyday. There's no doubt that some hair will take longer to cut, dry and style, but this is balanced out with the 'easy' short styles that are done in much less time. Also, what about those women who aren't black with masses of unruly, curly, wiry hair? They exist too. Are they being charged this extra premium? It's a grey and very murky area and one that needs looking at.
It shocks me that this is happening and reminds me of the salon in London that charged larger women more for waxing. Is this happening in UK salons too? Do Australian salons have the same policy?
Until then geek on!
The Ed.