Why is it that because I'm white, I'm not allowed any sort of cultural expression?

Question

When I worked at a JCPenney in the Lafayette Square Mall in Indianapolis, all the black girls could put neat colors and stuff in their hair (dark blue stripes, magenta stripes, even orange stripes), but I couldn't. I was told that black people can wear those sorts of things, but if a white person wears them, then they're just a punk.

Why is that? Why are black women allowed to express themselves more with their appearance than white women?

It might be a free country, but it's hard to do what you want when you're unemployed. I was told that I could get fired for wearing anything like I saw.

Answer 1

Wow...what a great observation....I used to work at a law firm...I knew enough to bullshit my way through an argument....I was walking into a mall one time when I saw security stop two guys from walking in because they had piercings and a wild fan Mohawk...I handed the security guard my business card and told him if he stopped the guys from entering a mall because of there appearance I would have his ******* job and file a lawsuit against the mall...needless to say he let them in. It's this double standard that we owe something to the minorities when we don't It's like that same mentality that says we have to have a United ***** college fund or a miss Black America pageant...! Why...if were did we would have to answer to a law suit in less than a heartbeat. It's like the illegal alien war that's going on in America right now......THE KEY WORD IS ILLEGAL immigrant...I'm not a racist but I'm tired of having to offer different or SPECIAL PRIVILEGEs TO ANY ONE RACE OR CULTURE OVER ANOTHER... I worked for a company when I was younger that let any of it's employees come to work and express there style in any way they wanted regardless of race , sex or culture...that's rare but I admired that company....I won't shop at a place that doesnt allow people to express there idviduality at all...I used to go to a certain coffe shop until I learned they fired a guy because someone complained about his tatoos...so what...I don't have a single tattoo but it's not my right to tell some one they can't have one... Dallas texas tried to pass a city ordinance against sagging...I fought it....I don't sag but why should I tell another person they can't because I don't like it...as long as it's decent and not vulgar in public...it's not my business...keep looking for the right company ...someday you'll find a place that accepts everyone....I'd suggest calling there corporate office and complaining about policy and different treatment...not only is it wrong...it's illegal.... That's one of the reasons I don't shop JC pennys....shame on them it's 2007...we should progress intead of regressing...get rid of george bush and the oprahs out there and lets combine this big melting pot...I'm not against the importance of denying your culture but honor everyone's not just one group of people

Answer 2

That's just what society has become! If we criticize or even scoff at another race or culture we're labeled bigots because the damn liberals in this country are afraid of "offending" someone; and if you're in the work place they'll send you to sensitivity training! Yet if that kind of thing happens to a white person, they just tell you "you're an adult so grow up and deal with it!"

Take this for example: http://anthonylemons.blogspot.com/2006/12/bus-driver-almost-loses-job-for-wearing.html

All these damn liberals that are so freakin worried about offending someone; should be punched in the face and be sent over to Iran, see how tolerant they'll be towards these liberals! Also send back all the c*cksuckers who complain about things offending them!

Answer 3

Why didn't you take it up with a higher manager and ask why you couldn't do it, but they could? I mean, seriously, the manager saying that you couldn't but they could was racist in itself. The fact that they said a race could do one thing but another couldn't is RACIST, even if your manager was white themself.

I don't think black women can express themselves more with their appearances - I just think your particular situation was messed up. We can all express ourselves as much as we want, whatever race, religion, creed, ethnicity, etc. etc. we are.

Maybe you should have just showed up with your hair in different colors and seen what they said. Who knows - maybe that's what those women did but nobody said anything because they were good employees. Who knows? I would have taken it to a higher power, and if I felt strong enough about it - threatened a lawsuit! But that's a bit much. :P

Answer 4

I don't know that they are "allowed" to express themselves and white women aren't. I will say this--You don't see alot of white women express themselves like that. There are very few white women I know that would dress the way black women I know would. I don't know why that is. I think it's because they don't have the guts. They're afraid somebody is going to stare or something. It's an attitude thing-if you've got it- then dress the wat you want girl! Don't worry about what other people say!

If your boss really told you that **** then that's just it--****!
That was discrimination!

Answer 5

It's not that you'e not allowed, but face it, black women can get away with more than white women. A black woman I work with does all kinds of cool things to her hair, that if i tried, I'd look like an idiot.

They have a unique style. Respect that and find your own.

Answer 6

Jesus CHrist, it's a free country do the h*ll what you wanna do.
once when I visited relatives in Mississippii I braided my hair in a million braids and went to the grocery store. everyone loooked at me. I didn't give a d*mn.
i did it because i felt like it and i liked it too

Answer 7

Do you always care about what other people think? That's called conformity. And you beileve what they tell you? Come on, give me a break.

Answer 8

I would sue JC Penney's, the black girls sure would if it were the other way around!!!

Answer 9

Ask the people who consider everything "racist".

Answer 10

Its called descimination, and its not PC to tell someone of color they look goofy.