Nationwide — Bariq Fluellen, an African American firefighter who has served the town of Philadelphia for over a decade, filed a proper discrimination criticism towards the town after allegedly dealing with years of harassment over his locks.
Fluellen submitted the criticism to the Pennsylvania Human Relations Fee, claiming that the town’s grooming coverage unfairly targets Black hairstyles. He says coworkers mocked him with nicknames like “Rapunzel” and accused him of specializing in his hair as a substitute of responding to fires.
He additionally claims his station captain threatened to “reduce his hair whereas he slept” and repeatedly warned him to chop it or face self-discipline.
Regardless of strict division guidelines limiting hair size for security causes, Fluellen argues that his dreadlocks don’t intervene together with his duties. He continues to go common match checks for tools and has acquired constructive efficiency evaluations since becoming a member of the division in 2013. He additionally famous that white colleagues have worn lengthy hair with out being reprimanded.
“My hair is a mirrored image of my genuine self — as a Black man, as a firefighter, and as somebody who’s pleased with my tradition,” Fluellen mentioned, in accordance with The Philadelphia Tribune. “Being instructed that I don’t belong or that I’m unsafe merely due to how I put on my hair is deeply painful. I’ve earned my place on this division, and I shouldn’t have to decide on between my career and my identification.”
Fluellen mentioned he first reported the harassment in 2022, however the habits continued. He described ongoing threats, emotional misery, and sleepless nights brought on by the hostile work setting.
The Public Curiosity Legislation Middle is supporting his criticism. “That is about greater than hair, it’s about dignity and the correct to exist in a public establishment with out being focused for one’s identification,” mentioned lawyer Olivia Mania.
The criticism calls for that the town finish enforcement of the present grooming coverage, undertake new guidelines that accommodate cultural hairstyles, and supply compensation for the emotional hurt Fluellen has endured.
