Patting black women’s hair

    It’s well known, especially around these parts, that hair can be a sensitive issue for black women. The TSA agent told her that race wasn’t a factor but that if you have certain kinds of ponytail or bun, you have to get your hair patted.As you might imagine, the TSA denies ordering its workers to single-out Black women for hair pat-downs. But it’s obvious that racial profiling will be at play if screeners’ only directive is to look at “certain kinds” of hair. Screeners need proper training that will prepare them to choose between a possible terrorist suspect and an African-American woman with natural hair, especially since the natural hair trend is only getting bigger. If not, there’s going to be yet another sick bit of societal pressure compelling Black women to run away from their natural hair in favor of straight, simple, Eurocentric styles.