MP Olivier Serva introduced a bill to “recognize and punish hair discrimination” in the professional environment, but also at school or on the street.
Regardless, hair discrimination is still very much present in different sections of society. At work, at school, on the street… the color, hairstyle, length of our hair can become the subject of ridicule, remarks and even exclusion. The situation is often minimized, as evidenced by the reactions to the bill presented by Olivier Servay, deputy of the Libertés, Indépendants, Outre-Mer et Territoires (Liot) group. The text with the aim of “recognizing and punishing hair discrimination”, as the newspaper recalls, was actually ridiculed especially by other parliamentary groups. Set free .
Delay in France
But what exactly does this bill contain? “The goal is to enrich Article 225-1 of the Criminal Code, which mentions physical discrimination, by adding the mention of hair discrimination based on the length, cut, size and color of the hair,” explained the deputy. Western France in the interview given on May 5. In the introduction of his project published on the website of the National Assembly, he reminds that France lags behind its neighbors in this matter. “Hair style and texture discrimination are widely discussed issues in the United States and the United Kingdom, the latter largely ignored in France.”
Olivier Serva also discusses the case of the Air France steward who was fired for wearing braids. “The company’s internal regulations stated that women could have hair longer than their neck, but not men. Steward won her case not for hair discrimination, but for gender discrimination. From this decision, I discovered a hole in the legislative racket,” the deputy continues in the columns of the regional daily.
In his project, Olivier Serva also cites a joint study by Dove and LinkedIn “In the United States, where ethnic surveys are allowed: 2/3 of women of Afro heritage change their hairstyle before a job interview. Their hair is 2.5 times more likely to be perceived as unprofessional. Until the example of Michelle Obama, who confided to Ellen DeGeneres on November 15, 2022 that she forced herself to straighten her hair during the eight years of her husband’s presidency.
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The deputy also clarifies that this problem goes far beyond the concept of discrimination and is a public health problem. “A person who cannot wear their natural hair in a professional or school setting will have to either hide their hair or transform it with chemicals. However, a recent 2022 National Institutes of Health (NIH) study shows that the risk of developing uterine cancer is much higher in women who use hair products to straighten their hair than in those who do not. 4.05% against 1.64. %: Another study conducted by Boston Epidemiology researchers and publishedAmerican Journal of Epidemiology 2012 established a link between the use of these products and fibroids.” But for a politician, this law doesn’t just apply to curly or curly hair, citing a 2009 study in the UK which explained that one in three blonde women had dyed themselves brunette to look smarter to their employer. An elected official from Guadeloupe also mentions the case of bald or even red hair. “It’s not just a black, white or bald issue. It applies to everyone,” he explains Set free.
Finally, the politician also emphasizes the issue of self-esteem and self-confidence. On this occasion, he quotes sociologist Juliette Smeralda, who affirms that “body image is the basis of self-esteem” and that “relaxing changes body image and appearance. We flatten the hair that deserves to live, we kill it, and we also make the skin ugly.”
Conference dedicated to the topic
To support his bill, the MP organized a conference on November 16, bringing together hairdressers, doctors, influencers, journalists and hair brands.
On his Instagram page, he shared a summary video where he wrote: “Hair non-discrimination is a fundamental value that promotes the idea that everyone should be free to express their individuality through their hair without fear of prejudice or discrimination. Recognizing and respecting the diversity of hair styles helps create an inclusive society where everyone’s uniqueness is celebrated and not judged. By embracing the natural beauty of all hair textures and shapes, we’re building a world where true individuality is free to flourish, unfettered by outdated stereotypes.”
We will meet in December, when the National Assembly can put the bill on the agenda.
Source: Le Figaro
