Officials facial hair and hair style
 

If you guys did'nt know im african american. But that should'nt matter. But I need to ask you guys this. I did a 16/u tournament in Columbus on saturday(My partner and I are from Cleveland). We had 6 games scheduled on saturday,and 6 on sunday. We just completed 4 games and the tournamnet director says you need to call the assignor. We called no answer so we go to where he is located. Then the assignor tells us our services are no longer needed. From what we were told its was because I wear my hair in cornrolls/braids, and my partner has a mustache and he's bald. What does this have to do with basketball? This has never been a issue for me,and the first for my partner. We read the rules about officials attire and it reads just like the rule book. I'm upset because the assignor should have had our back with this issue.I understand if we wanna "Move up" we should have a certain look. But IMO my hairstyle or partners mustache should not come into play. if a female can wear cornrolls/braids why cant a man? Like I said this hasnever been a issue and it almost seems like the "good ol boy" system. Any input you guys can give would be great. Thanks!

I have never agreed with the constraints which some people strive to impose upon others in the officiating world. However, just about all of this operates via independent contractor status. So if you wish to work for someone, then you need to adhere to the desires and standards of the person doing the hiring. If not, then they don't have to hire you.

My standards would simply be that the individual's hairstyle exhibits proper cleanliness, isn't offensive, and does not pose a safety issue. I don't believe that anything else would be defensible.

Nevada, I totally agree! Honestly it hurts more because it seemed like a personal attack.If it would have been about a poor job officiating fine.If the director would have said he doesnt want officials with braids I understand. Just kinda ticks me off...

The Military isn't an independent contractor!
 

Agree Nevada.

As a military person, when I first joined the service back in the 80's, the rules were: don't part your hair in the middle, no facial hair, no sideburns, and your hair should be tapered in the back - not blocked. Was it written anywhere? No. It was unspoken (yet known). If you wanted to move forward - blend in and don't rock the boat. Period. Or suffer the consequences.

Did some not conform? Sure. Did some make it even though, they didn't conform? Sure. What does it say about their performance? Probably not much (similar to what the OP points out). Should it be THE discriminator as it supposedly was in this case? Of course not.

In my association we have a few, not many, with facial hair. They seem to have done pretty well.

PS - Recently, photos surfaced of me in on the web from my very early military days........mustache and all! Hey, we'd just come back from the field leave me alone! ;)

It's Not The Beard ...
 

... It's the uniform.

http://thm-a01.yimg.com/nimage/ff440feaff1f258a

No Problem With These Cornrows ???
 

I believe that ten out of ten Forum members would agree that we like this hairstyle:

http://thm-a03.yimg.com/nimage/956ac2f75fb0b5d4

What hairstyle? :p

I'm an assignor.

If that's the reason that both of you were taken off games, then that's just ridiculous imo. If you're neat, clean and presentable, there's no reason either of you should have been replaced for your appearance imo. Your hair style should have the same relevance as your color--->none.

And I don't know any other assignors that feel any differently than me either, fwiw.

I know you have to be highly frustrated over this...and I don't blame you one bit....but hang in there and don't let it get you down. We don't need to lose good officials over crap like this.

You said, "From what we were told..." it was your hair choices that led to your expulsion. Sounds like you've made an inference.

So what were you told, and who told you?

I'm not African American, but I am black (don't get me started on that) and I have experienced what the OP is talking about. On the west coast, I was criticized for being a "bald angry black man." I moved to the east coast and nobody said a word about it. I moved back to the west coast and haven't heard it at all. I don't know if I'm slowly shedding my military bearing or it just doesn't matter anymore.

After 20 years in the military, where a fade (tapered) haircut was once considered faddish for black guys, I can tell you that you are going to have problems with the corn rows. You will be viewed in the same light as a rapper/actor/athlete/thug/gangster. I hate to say this and I hate this saying, but it is what it is.

But being told your service isn't required after 4 games? This must be an assigner for the tourney and not an officials association, cause I can't imagine any real assigner pulling this crap.

And I read it more as "we don't like these guys -- we need a reason to get rid of them -- they call too much, they call not enough, we don't like black people -- for whatever reason."

I doubt I'd leave without making an effort to get paid, either. This is why all assignments should have contracts attached to them.

Ha, I know plenty of bald, angry, white guys.

You're right about the perception of course and the only way IMHO to overcome that is to be 110% professional. Make the crowd/person admit to themselves that they prejudged you and they were wrong.

It has to be tough. The white official is 'quiet' and the black one is labeled 'angry or surly'.

We have a black ref in our area, a new young guy, with dreads. I know it's going to be tough for him to move up.

It's hard fighting first impressions.

That said, the assigner who took those games back is gutless.

I would hope there would be a desire on the part of any assignor that is turly interested in developing young and/or new officials to have a sincere conversation(s) to help set expectations and give helpful tips for ways to improve as an individual and advance.

I'll share a related experience: My daughter played YMCA league hoops a couple years back. Most everything about that league was inconsistent with the exception of a young, black official who sported corn rows. I'll never forget the first time I saw him when we entered the gym that season. It was like..."OK, this might be interesting". I volunteered to run the book or clock, whatever, and got to know him. He cared about doing a great job for the kids and had an excellent attitude and disposition. In fact, he did a great job of helping mentor newer partners (that looked more "the part") as the season progressed.

Sometimes looks can be a red flag. Sometimes they mean relatively nothing....which was my experience with the YMCA official. He's going to have a fun career if he sticks with it.

First let me say I am African-American and Black. You can be both or one or the other depending on your ethnic background. ;)

Let me say that no matter how you slice it, we still live in a relatively conservative society. Even though we are not shocked that someone shows some individuality, it is not accepted in all walks of life. I for a brief time had braids while I was in college back in the day. I did so because I did not work in a profession that required a certain look. Before I left school and before I became an official that changed. I would never today wear dreadlocks or have braids of any kind. Right or wrong I also have enough to overcome in perception that makes people think one more thing of me negatively that I can control. I cannot control my race or my ethnicity, but I can control my hairstyle and the tattoos or markings I have on my body. And if you look at most officials, they look a certain way and do you have a metal band hair cut or even look like the players with their hairstyles and tattoos. I do not see coaches that are African-American and Black wearing these things, so why should I? We are in positions of authority and people want those individuals to look a certain way or not be threatening. That does not mean that I do not have to overcome the "Angry Black Man" stereotype. But I am not going to add to that by what by looking like Lil Wayne either.

Peace

For what it's worth, one of the more respected officials on our board, and a recent board president, has a neatly trimmed moustache. As long as I've known him, he always has. I've never seen cornrolls on an official, but I'm in Maine. We don't know cornrolls from cornbread.

NEOhio, if an assigner has a problem with the way you look (hair, tattoos, fat, whatever), you should be told up front and in advance. Unfortunately, due to the aforementioned independent contractor status, an assigner doesn't have to tell you anything. That doesn't mean, however, that you have to forget that to have accept being treated less-than-honestly.

Could there be another issue that they're not telling you? Maybe, but it's unlikely you're going to know the truth. Some just don't care enough to give honest feedback, or they'll find a more convenient reason to get rid of you. Truth be told, this is all speculation.

The best you can take out of this is to be aware that there are people who won't be as up front as you like, and in the long run, the cornrolls could very well be a hindrance that no-one will bother to tell you about, as long as they have someone else to officiate.

Count me as one of those who feel you got screwed for a ridiculous reason. One question - in your OP, you mention both the tournament director and the assignor. Did you ever find out whose decision this actually was? It may have been the tournament director's. You kind of imply that when you stated you felt the assignor should have "had your back".

One other comment - if you had any plastic in your hair, it could have been a safety issue, but your partner not only had nothing in his hair, he didn't even have any hair. Did he have metal clips in his moustache? ;)

While some areas certainly have hair and/or grooming standards that are unspoken, arbitrary, and/or just plain stupid; I've never heard of those "standards" holding someone back from working off season basketball.

I don't know what it is, but there's something else going on here, IMO. It could be racial, it could be the way you called the game and they are to pussillanimous to tell you, or it could be that he wanted someone else on those games and that someone just became available.

Does this person assign more than just these particular games?

Is your hairstyle facial hair not an issue during your regular season assignments? If so, that's odd considering my expereince. I'm Negro :D and guys here have to cut off ponytails, dreads and goatees to officiate. The one guy who has a beard is white, and well, I'm glad I don't get his schedule.

Sorry to hear that happened and I agree is shouldnt matter. But I guess its all about perception and staying under the radar. Now, with AAU and/or high school, I didnt think that kind of stuff was a problem. But on the College Level I am sure it does. I have a friend that was from the West Coast, had long braids and the clinitions frowned on it. He has since cut his hair. It was attracting unwanted attention in camp. Just my 2 cents. BTW, I am Human and black as well and I wear facial hair in the off season and go back to the clean face during the season. Its just my preference.

LOL, we've got quite a few with goatees, none with full beards, some who are bald, and some who wear belted pants.

None of the bald black guys seemed particularly angry to me, though. :)

What a huge statement....so true. In the area where I officiate, we have seen the total number of active officials grow almost exponentially over the last 2 to 3 years.

These are tight economic times and people that would never have considered officiating as an alternate source of income 5 to 10 years ago are now suddenly jumping into the game.

Assignors are making tough decisions every day about who works what games. At the very least, sets are being reduced from 3-4 games to 2-3 game sets. I think it probably stands to reason that an official that is trying to work as much as possible in a highly competitive environment should do everything possible to avoid a negative persona.

Saw a similar situation a few years ago.

Couple of guys with braids worked a tourney on the recommendation of another official. (assigned -- sight unseen) When word got back to the assigner that the guys were both wearing braids, he called them up and advised that the hairtstyle was not acceptable. The guys, like some on here, protested, suggesting an ulterior motive was involved.......

The assigner advised that if they saw a white guy with a mohawk working the tourney, their suggestion would have merit.

I ran into a guy a few weeks ago whom I met in camp last summer. He told me that he has been told by several supervisor that the tattoo on his forearm is a hinderance from getting hired. He wears heavy makeup to cover it up when he attends camps.

Badnews, did you let him your some of your Mary Kay again? LOL!

It it never required that someone tell you why they do not hire you. They might not hire you for all kinds of reasons, I do not see why someone has to tell you the reasons. Maybe morally that is the right thing to do, but it is not going to happen in reality.

Peace

What forum do you belong to that made blue text the norm for sarcasm? Just so you know, people don't do that here. I know you have mentioned it before and I had to ask the question. Do you know how I know it isn't the norm here?

Everything Padgett writes would be a deep, dark blue! :D

Another officials forum that is way more popular and relevant than this one. :D:p:D

Blue text means nothing to me, either.

Me three. I guess that forum is not that popular. ;)

Peace

So much for teaching some old dogs a new trick. :)

I prefer using context for sarcasm, but failing that I will use the occasional smiley. Blue text? Pain in the a$$.

It's all good.

What's blue text? :confused:

Hint: I'm sick and tired of your sophomoric, sexist posts.

Wait, first you say blue font is for sarcasm, now you're saying it's for saying what Snaqwells is thinking? I'm confused.

From Wikipedia ...
 

Over the years, cornrows (along with dreadlocks) have been the subject of several disputes in the American workplace. Some employers have deemed them unsuitable for the office and have banned them - especially conducting at-will firings and/or termination. African American employees and civil rights groups have countered that such attitudes evidence racial and cultural bias. Some such disputes have resulted in litigation.

We have white guys that ***** and moan about grooming standards. Some want to wear their hair longer and have beards. It isn't a racial thing -- I wish I had enough hair for cornrows. I'd have to think about whether I would wear them if I could.

Anyway, a lack of conservative grooming (and I'm being broad here) will only hurt you. John Malloy wrote a book on Dress for Success in the '70s, with updates later. He painstakingly took surveys from individuals shown pictures of men dressed differently -- different color over coats, different color suits, etc. He didn't ask "which one looks better." He asked questions like, "which one makes more money," or "which one would you respect more as a boss," or "which one would you buy (x) from?" He laid out clearly what type of people (mostly by income) like what type of clothing. When you watch a Presidential debate, the candidates will ALWAYS be wearing a dark navy suit (and white shirt). There's a reason for that. As a trial attorney, I wear dark gray suits (I don't like navy and have never owned one) and a white shirt to every trial. I don't wear anything but a white shirt with a suit, though I'll wear something else with a sport coat -- almost always without a tie.

You can't change your race, gender, height, hair color (for the most part), etc., but you can change your grooming appearance, weight, etc. Your navy blue suit for officiating may be a little different than mine (depending on location), but its pretty similar: conservative grooming, no facial hair, short hair, and no pop culture icon styles -- regardless of which popular culture you follow.

I notice how you state all of this as a matter of fact. You don't know if it is a racial thing, none of us really do unless we hear it from the person who said it - even then the person could lie.

You cannot know what any of this is like from the perspective of the OP. It would be nice if people would have empathy or say nothing at all. Years ago when my mother passed, if someone who had not experienced a similar loss would have came up to me and told me how I should feel they would either limp away or be carried away.

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? :D You see things differently because of who you work side by side with although I will say it (racism) still exists in the military.

:D 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.

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. ;)

"Airmen"? :eek:

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 <font color = blue>blue font</font> needs to give their head a shake also.

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

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.

Although I do have a few Airheads who work for me. How's that?

Yep and I was using it to describe everyone in the Air Force. Hey, we have to have something wrong with us. I will accept that the term Airmen isn't politically correct since we are perfect in every other way (I say we because I get a check every month :D )

We all Jack Webb. Or are we?
 

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.

Our hopes and prayers will go with you on your mission to right this terrible travesty.

Maybe we can make up a special <font color = blue>blue ribbon</font> sticker for our back bumpers to bring awareness to everybody about this problem.

Wait a minute. It's always been "blue for boys" and "pink for girls", hasn't it. Well, that sh!t has to stop too. It's one color for everybody from now on!! Be sure to bring that up with Senator Quagmire also.

Don't hold your breath.

I think we need to form a committee to discuss this subject. And don't forget to appoint a Madam Chairperson, whatever that means.

Sorry - I ran out of blue font.

Not that easy, Chief. I'm going to need some funds. If you're really supportive of the cause, you'll pony up.

Fixed it for you.

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.

That works too. :D

I asked for a pony for Christmas once when I was a kid. But since we were poor, all I got was a chicken. Do you know how terrible it is to be laughed at by the neighborhood kids when they see you out in a wagon being pulled by a chicken? :eek: It didn't matter to me though; I still loved Reggie(my pet chicken).

Even today I'd go to my room and cry at the memory.....except there was a happy ending. Reggie was delicious.

Thanks for letting me share.

I think I shed a tear, but I'm not sure.

I almost vomited in my mouth a little.....then you saved yourself. :o

And another one right here :D Military dude that is.

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

Great drinking buddies :D

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

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

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

http://www.joepopp.net/jpsaimages/broccoli.jpg

I am an American. My grandparents mirated from Russia and Poland.

I, too am out 0f Africa.

Examination of our genetic material has indicated that we ALL migrated out of Africa. It just a matter of when. Homo sapiens originated in Africa.

Just to drop a little science into the discussion.

Roy G

There was a guy in a prior assn that had a ponytail, wore glasses, and was overweight. His hair was black & gray, so it really accented the ponytail. He could never understand why he did not move up the ranks.

For the situation at hand, this was a bogus situation. Unless the officiating was extremely poor, the assignment should have been kept all the way through. If no future assignments were given, so be it. It was a terrible way to handle it.

I guess the best way to look at things is to observe those who have top assignments in your association. And if you do not have to work for this particular assigner in the future, then avoid that area.

Well thanks, how informative. Here's another bit: white skin seems to have resulted from a mutation.

Many of us are mutants. :eek:

One more so than others.;)

This guy? BTW - he's a rec coach around here. :eek:

http://www.wayodd.com/funny-pictures...mutant-9Vf.jpg

Your Momma's A Mutant !!!
 

Wouldn't this be a "good" mutation for those homo sapiens who moved away from equatorial regions toward the polar regions, where the sunlight was weaker (angle, and seasonal day length), thus allowing the more translucent skin to absorb more blue, violet, and ultraviolet light, thus allowing the body to manufacture more Vitamin D than if their skin had been darker?

Hey, you can rationalize it however you wish... :D

You guys are hounds off the scent. Think 'username'.

Thanks for all the feedback guys! I was really frustrated and you guys helped alot. A few questions popped up during the thread that I will answer.
@ Padgett=It was the tournament director that complained to the assignor. The assignor then contacted us after the 4 game set and told us what was going on. The assignor stated he is at the mercy of the director since that was how he was getting paid...

@Bad News=funny you mentioned tattoos on the forearm because I have my name in old elglish letters. When assignors ask what it is I say Its my name and I got the tattoo when I was 16 so I could remember how to spell it! I always get a laugh out of that but it hasnt been a issue.

I do understand what image means upon a first impression. Thats why I work twice as hard on the floor

You might check with the assignor about other tournaments with other directors. He might feel he owes you one.

First of all, I have a hard time believer JR is EVER a happy lil camper as he stated in an earlier post!!!
As for grooming standards I know several years ago our HS association had this discussion. It was in fact racial. A white guy wanted to know why a black guy could have a goatee and he was 'encouraged' to shave his. After I opened a can of SPAM we took on this can of worms!! We came to some sort of convoluted agreeement on facial hair but a more firm agreement on what we would 'encourage' our offiicals to do with the hair on top of their head. For starters, bald is ok, since, well some can't help it. (However, on an ADD tangent, I think it has gone overboard b/c now we have more people shaving their heads than combing it!! And don't jump to any conclusions, that goes for both the white guys and the black guys. However, our latino officials seem to enjoy a full head of hair!) No hair lower than shoulder or over ears would be desired for those who have hair. "Mod" or Fadish hair styles would be discouraged, be it a mowhawk, dreads, corn rows (we have/had both white and black officials with them) etc. Against my arguments the mullet was considered a timeless hairstyle and would not be discouraged!! Keep the bangs out of your eyes, b/c heck we have a hard enough time seeing. Facial hair was fine as long as it was neatly trimmed. We did have one of our female officials ask if we could BAN mustaches' b/c then she could write of her lip waxing on her taxes as a business expense!!
As for tattoos, the association asked that they be covered up as best as possible. A friend of mine who works college as well went so far as to have his removed, and his schedule skyrocketed after that!
The bottom line, it is all a matter of perception. Cornrows, tattoos are the items today. In the past it was long hair and beards. As much as I hate conformity it is what I have to do to advance.
And as for military guys, thankfully, some were allowed to grow facial hair where culturally appropriate!! Apparently, I look intimidating in a goatee, but I HATED trying to get that nice straight line under the chin!!

How about men with pony tails? Yes, I've seen 'em out there on the hardwood.

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

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

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.

So.....would you trust this guy? Better yet - would you ref with him? I'd love to see him work a Coach K game.

http://i.telegraph.co.uk/telegraph/m...h_1213202i.jpg

In Whom Do We Trust ???
 

I've heard this as well. Not that I'm concerned about it, though. I don't like a mustache, and I'm not allowed to wear a goatee.