Just Me, MocaGyrl

A Muslim wannabe hairstylist is suing a London hair salon owner for discrimination because she wears a headscarf and wouldn’t hire her. The 32 year old salon owner defended herself claiming she’s not racist, but that she operates an urban funky salon. Customers want to see what kind of hair cut they’re going to get, so they should be able to see their stylist’s hair, she said. Any employee wearing a hat would be asked to remove it while at work, she said. The 19 year old applicant defended her abilities by saying she was born in Britian and knows the trendy looks. This is like the last straw for her, because she didn’t get 25 different hairdressing jobs. She’s suing for $30,000+ an unspecified sum - which is more than the salon owner makes in a year. The salon owner can’t afford a lawyer now and she will be fundraising to cover legal costs.

Do you need to see your stylist’s hair? Do you have to like their hair? I’ve never had a cut from anyone wearing a headscarf, but I’ve had cuts from stylists with bad hair. So I wouldn’t reject a stylist in a headscarf. Why? From years & years of female & male stylists of many different backgrounds doing my hair, I’ve long since lost hope. They either don’t know what to do with my hair, or they straighten it because that’s what they know how to work with.

I certainly feel for the 19 year old who is trying to find a job in her field. It would be taking the easy way out for her to just find a job in a Muslim salon (are there many in London?) - but it wouldn’t address the issue at hand, that in this day & age, shouldn’t we be more accepting?

I also can see the point of the young struggling business owner. Business is business, and displaying hair is the #1 priority for a hair salon.

The case will be heard in January.

http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/thestar/access/1380597861.html?dids=1380597861:1380597861&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Nov+10%2C+2007&author=Tim+Stewart&pub=Toronto+Star&edition=&startpage=AA.3&desc=Headscarf+comes+between+woman%2C+job+in+hair+salon%3B+Muslim+applicant+sues+Canadian+shop+owner+in+London%2C+alleging+religious+discrimination