Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


27

White Philly Cop Busted Down to Desk for Cornrows

Hair didn't look 'professional,' though several black officers wear cornrows

Share

(Newser) – A white Philadelphia police officer with cornrows was ordered by a black superior to cut his hair and was temporarily busted down to desk duty because of the braids, reports the Philadelphia Daily News. Thomas Strain was ordered to cut his hair to look more "professional," even though dozens of black officers on the Philly force wear their hair in cornrows. Strain cut his hair and refused to comment on the incident. But a fellow officer complained that it was "absolutely discriminatory."

A white Philly cops was ordered to cut his cornrows.
A white Philly cops was ordered to cut his cornrows.   (©Marco Gomes)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

It was above his collar. It's not like he shaved a Nazi sign or something anti-black or anti-Hispanic on his head. It's just cornrows. I don't know what the problem is. - Anonymous Philly police officer

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.20.09
The Health-Care Wars Have Just Begun
11.19.09
Sarah Palin Deserves Some More Attention
27 comments
VIEWING:
 
riffran
Sep 22, 09 5:58 AM CDT
if other cops can he should be able to do so..reverse discrimination... Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+18
IN RESPONSE:
Unaffiliated
Sep 22, 09 7:38 AM CDT
I don't recognize "reverse" discrimination. Nothing "reverse" about it. It's plain and simple discrimination, applying different standards to someone because of something superficial like skin color.
Vote up! Vote down!
+26
jagerhans
Sep 22, 09 7:39 AM CDT
this time the white guy proved to be a good disciplined officer but i don't see the point in silencing the whole affair. discrimination must be fought, no matter the direction, and the issue is not a mere haircut but making a stand over an unjustified abuse of position. the worst, most stupid thing that the black community can do is perpetuating racism. THIS is just what white supremacists and mad right wingers are waiting for AND DESPERATELY HOPING, an excuse to yell: SEE ? WE WERE RIGHT ! THOSE GODDAM ****** WANT TO ENLAVE US ! etc. and guess who will take the blame in first person? right, him. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+11
fiestygirl
Sep 22, 09 7:45 AM CDT
Discrimination is discrimination. Why is it called this when it is black on white racism/discrimination? It is almost as if it takes the edge off the actual nature of what is happening. There are many blacks who hate whites yet it is justified by the history of this country. All races have been enslaved and freed and enslaved again. Let the man have his cornrows. Personally I would consider it a crime of fashion but that would only be a social misdemeanor. There's nothing on the books for bad hair choices is there? Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+15
fiestygirl
Sep 22, 09 7:50 AM CDT
One more thing...is there a lawyer on this one yet? :P Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+5

View all 27 comments »

LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

1 Story

(Newser) - The suburban Philadelphia swim club at the center of a racism controversy will ask the day campers it disinvited to return, the local ABC affiliate reports. "We are very very sorry that this had to happen," the club president tells WPVI-TV. He had sparked the incident by saying... More »

MORE ABOUT:
federal courts • discrimination • children • Pennsylvania • race relations • Philadelphia • racism • civil rights • swimming pool • racial discrimination • summer camp • Valley Swim Club • Creative Steps Day Camp

1 Story


US 
TwitterFollow @NewserUS on Twitter

 
discrimination • Philadelphia • discipline • black • police state • white men • cornrows • police officer

from our news partners