AMERICAN APPAREL: JOB REQUIREMENTS…ABILITY V. HAIR QUALITY

Jun 17, 2010 Featured
Posted by Nikki

A former American Apparel manager sent Gawker a few guidelines she was told to follow when hiring. For black women, she was told, “none of the trashy kind that come in, we don’t want that. We’re not trying to sell our clothes to them. Try to find some of these classy black girls, with nice hair, you know?”

***Before I begin, I find it quite amazing that curl patterns in a black woman’s hair defines it’s quality. Not the ability of it to look well groomed, but the idea of it being not 100% black hair.

If I didn’t know better, I would have believed America was still in the post Jim Crow era; somewhere around the pre Brown v The Board of Education and mid Civil Rights Movement.

Does this alarm me? Not at all.  I am what I would like to believe is a Naturalistic Observation specialist. I see, I study and I learn.  Why did internal documents have to be released for attention to be drawn to the company’s practice?

Look at the ad campaigns and models selected. Do you see an average woman of color? Not the fair skinned, curly hair version; but a lady of medium tone, average size whose hair is relaxed? No. So why on earth would someone expect them to higher those specifications? I wasn’t offended by the trashy comment as in reference to image because no company wants a negative image. However I found it quite appalling that the “not bi-racial” look was equivalent to being trashy.  And I was more so amused than baffled when AA equated their image to vintage and Ralph Lauren. As an RL addict,  I will be the first to say, AA will never meet those standards. Honestly the company is an overpriced Forever 21 and Wet Seal.  The quality is recognizably sub par and the stitching is quite awful.  I love how if a visually thin person wears the clothing, it’s chic or classy. Provocative clothing is sleazy in any size.  Just because a Caucasian throws it on doesn’t make it A OK.

Now that we know the problem how do we fix it?  Lets not be naive to think that these practices are only specific to AA. They are not. Many companies have this requirement.  Whether it is the wait staff at your fine dining restaurant or the manager at your bank.  Blacks especially darker ones have to come with their A- Game and not just succeed but supersede.  I have encountered this. We can change this. Trust and believe AA is not the only hiring company nor are they the only manufacture of clothing. Don’t wear it.  Pull items from a vintage store or wear a piece from Box Kitten or my fave Ralph Lauren.  I love A&F  and Levis. Sharing your thoughts  as a form of support is great, but the way you hurt a  bigot company is to dig in it’s pockets.  Don’t buy from them. Tons of other companies would appreciate your monies.

Tags: american apparel, hair, natural hair, relaxed hair