Imagine strutting into a job sporting a new hairdo and be turned to walk right back out. Well that’s what happened to Farryn Johnson after getting blonde highlights in her dark brown up-do.
In August, Johnson decided it was time for a change. The change she was looking for was not a new job, but a new look. However, she was fired from her job at Hooters because her image was not up to par with the employee image standards. She was told that white employees were allowed to get highlights but black were not.
“They specifically said black women don’t have blond in their hair so you need to take it out,” Johnson stated.
People who think race will determine hair color are completely out of their minds. If the person can pull it off, so be it! Let the person do whatever they want to their image because it’s their decision and not anyone else’s.
“I would be really upset because I wouldn’t understand what the color of my hair has to do with how good I am at the job,” says junior Jodi Enfield.
That makes total sense. Why would hair color determine work quality? Someone with pink hair may just be a better worker over someone with brown hair. Hair color has nothing to do with work ethic. If Johnson was a terrible employee, never showed up on time, and was rude to customers, then it would make sense to fire her. But, the fact that someone was as racist as to fire an African American for blonde highlights is incredibly disappointing.
Throughout the years, there have been many brave men and women fighting to end discrimination. Whether it be religion or race, someone has fought to get rid of it. Now, it seems like we are taking a step back and worrying about hair color.
Johnson is taking them to court which is a completely understandable thing to do. Racism is frowned upon and the fact that people are going to let Hooters get away with this is unacceptable.