Officials facial hair and hair style

[tomegun]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

This is one of those areas of life where I've had to learn my analytical brain is simply incapable of grasping it. I can rationalize anything, explain anything, and understand most anything at least at a basic level. I just don't get racism, nor do I have an easy time seeing it when it's there.

I spent last week TDY with a white colleague married to a black man, and I have to admit I was surprised to hear her say they still get sideways looks. Surprised because I just don't think that way. I shouldn't have been, though, because I know that while I'm not alone in the way I was raised (a mixed marriage to my father would have been marrying a Republican), those with "other" views are still there. I also realize that my own double takes (out of pure surprise) could easily be misunderstood.

Snaqs, if I remember right you are one of the fortunate military men to be called an Airmen correct? You see things differently because of who you work side by side with although I will say it (racism) still exists in the military.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by tomegun

Snaqs, if I remember right you are one of the fortunate military men to be called an Airmen correct? You see things differently because of who you work side by side with although I will say it (racism) still exists in the military.

You are correct, and my particular AFSC seems to include a greater mix than most. I will also agree that it's still there. I recall some extremely bigoted NCOs when I was younger; the type you'd really only see expressing their prejudices in private at a small Guard unit in the midwest (or so I thought at the time). Such expressions are now unheard of. Whether that's because the views are less prevalent or just less acceptable, it's a good thing.

Unfortunately, racism will need to die off since most racists aren't going to be convinced they're idiots.

[tomegun]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

You are correct, and my particular AFSC seems to include a greater mix than most. I will also agree that it's still there. I recall some extremely bigoted NCOs when I was younger; the type you'd really only see expressing their prejudices in private at a small Guard unit in the midwest (or so I thought at the time). Such expressions are now unheard of. Whether that's because the views are less prevalent or just less acceptable, it's a good thing.

Unfortunately, racism will need to die off since most racists aren't going to be convinced they're idiots.

I know what you mean. I ended my career as a MTL at Keesler. It was nice to be around so many young people from so many different areas around the country.

At first I was accused of favoring the black Airmen, then I was accused of favoring the white Airmen and then they finally realized I was equal opportunity when it came to discipline/punishment. That was my favorite job and the most hours I ever worked.

[DLH17]

Originally Posted by tomegun

I know what you mean. I ended my career as a MTL at Keesler. It was nice to be around so many young people from so many different areas around the country.

At first I was accused of favoring the black Airmen, then I was accused of favoring the white Airmen and then they finally realized I was equal opportunity when it came to discipline/punishment. That was my favorite job and the most hours I ever worked.

No wonder you're so good at whippin' my butt on this forum. I don't have a chance in heck against you military boys. Try to go a little easier on this lowly civilian.

[amusedofficial]

The officials are independent contractors, who in most cases are employed for games by public schools and public school leagues, or by private schools, including colleges, that receive federal funds. The assignor is the agent for the schools in finding and hiring offficials, and sometimes in paying them, althrough with the school's funds. Thus the schools can be responsible for the actions of the agent.

It has been widely held that federal discrimination laws do not apply to independent contractors. However, section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act of 1991 provides that that law covers "the enjoyment of all benefits, privileges, terms, and condition of the contractual relationship."

Consider certain facts:

First, virtually all schools take federal money, directly or indirectly, even if it's just for school lunches. As a result, they fall under the federal Civil Rights acts.

Second, some manner of grooming is ethnically oriented and some manner of grooming is age oriented. You don't see many white guys with cornrows' or dreadlocks. In some cultures, certain manners of grooming are considered normal, attractive or even expected.

Third, while being an independent contractor may shield the employer against specific equal employment opportunity laws, the independent contractor is entitled to be free from unlawful discrimination in enjoying the full benefit of the independent contractor relationship. Therefore, discrimination that is based on ethnicity, and for which there is no bone fide occupational reason, may be actionable.

When assignors threaten a loss of employment opportunity based on culturally-differentiated grooming styles, or perhaps even on age-differentiated grooming styles, they could expose themselves and the public schools (or publicly-aided private schools) for which they assign to litigation.

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by amusedofficial

Consider certain facts:

When assignors threaten a loss of employment opportunity based on culturally-differentiated grooming styles, or perhaps even on age-differentiated grooming styles, they could expose themselves and the public schools (or publicly-aided private schools) for which they assign to litigation.

Consider other facts.

A lot of assignors represent associations. And those associations make up their own rules, not the assignors. And those rules are made by it's members. They get to vote on and approve the rules and regulations that they're governed by. And assignors then have to follow the direction that they're given. That's the way that our association works.

Personally, I could care less if one of my guys/gals wore cornrows. As long as they're neat, clean and presentable, I'm a happy l'il feller. And if somebody ever complained about cornrows, I'd have to take that complaint to our members and let them decide how to proceed.

Assignors are employed by somebody. And assignors usually have to follow the direction of those "somebodys" as a condition of employment.

I also doubt that anyone assigning a college conference has the stroke to impose his own beliefs on his officiating crew. The conference will set the guidelines, usually in conjunction with NCAA norms. And if the conference says it's OK for their officials to wear cornrows, then the officials will be allowed to wear cornrows. It's no difference than officials with beards.

[Mark Padgett]

Originally Posted by Jurassic Referee

Personally, I could care less if one of my guys/gals wore cornrows.

I agree. But if they wear broccoli rows - YUCCHH!

BTW - I think you mean you couldn't care less.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by DLH17

No wonder you're so good at whippin' my butt on this forum. I don't have a chance in heck against you military boys. Try to go a little easier on this lowly civilian.

And another one right here Military dude that is.

Even though I am a lowly civilian now working at a military base.

[DLH17]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

And another one right here Military dude that is.

You servicemen...errrr....servicepersons are everywhere! Thank goodness.

[Texas Aggie]

You don't know if it is a racial thing

What I stated -- that people of all races are *****ing about grooming standards -- was clearly in the category of not being racial.

[JRutledge]

Actually it is cultural for African-American/Black men to have facial hair. In other words it is hard to find Black males that have no facial hair. That does not mean everyone has it, but most do. And a great example of this was in my church we had Men's Day services a couple of weeks ago. There are pictures of the Men's Choir which almost had 70 or 80 men. Most had facial hair of some kind. And these are people that are very professional and work in multiple facets of life. I think that is an underlining reason it is accepted for most to have some facial hair. That being said, I do not wear a goatee for basketball. I have in the past, but was asked to remove it so I did. My schedule has gotten better since I have done that.

Peace

[bradfordwilkins]

I actually was told by someone with regards to a corporate environment, not refereeing, that said people are less likely to trust someone w/ facial hair - there was some study or something in a business journal about it.

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by tomegun

Snaqs, if I remember right you are one of the fortunate military men to be called an Airmen correct?

"Airmen"?

What's worse? Being racist or sexist? Shouldn't that be "Airperson"?

What do they call wimmen airmen?

Sounds like we definitely need to have a poll on this one.



And anybody that thinks the above is serious because I didn't write it in freaking blue font needs to give their head a shake also.

[DLH17]

Originally Posted by Jurassic Referee

"Airmen"?

What's worse? Being racist or sexist? Shouldn't that be "Airperson"?

What do they call wimmen airmen?

Sounds like we definitely need to have a poll on this one.



And anybody that thinks the above is serious because I didn't write it in freaking blue font needs to give their head a shake also.

Try using "frakking" blue font. It works much better than "freaking" blue font.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Jurassic Referee

"Airmen"?

What's worse? Being racist or sexist? Shouldn't that be "Airperson"?

What do they call wimmen airmen?

Sounds like we definitely need to have a poll on this one.

Crap, you're right JR! "Airman" is not only a specific rank (three ranks, actually) that applies to both genders, but is also a generic term referring to all who serve in the Air Force, such as soldier, marine, or sailor.

I don't think my congressman would care, but perhaps I could approach my US Senator who seems to be struggling for a lifeline in his re-election campaign.