Black female lawmakers are urging Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel to reconsider
revised Army regulations that ban hairstyles frequently worn by minority women
in the military.

Sixteen female members of the Congressional Black Caucus signed a letter Thursday to Hagel, stating that the
changes are “discriminatory” against women of color in uniform.

They say that while Army officials have said the regulation applies to all
soldiers, regardless of race, references in the rule calling hairstyles worn
mostly by black women “unkempt” and “matted” are offensive and show a lack of
“cultural sensitivity.”

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Black lawmakers appeal to Pentagon over hairstyle ban

Black female lawmakers are urging Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel to reconsider revised Army regulations that ban hairstyles frequently worn by minority women in the military.