The deputy of Guadeloupe Olivier Serva wants to table a bill to “fight against all forms of discrimination” related to hair. “We do not realize the violence that can represent the fact of having to straighten your hair to find a job”, summarizes the former macronist.
Extensive examples and legal protection deemed insufficient. The elected official of Guadeloupe Olivier Serva wants to put an end to hair prejudices. The deputy of the Liot group, which brings together former socialists, centrists and ex-macronists, intends to table a bill to “fight against all forms of discrimination related to texture, length, color and haircut “.
This former member of the presidential majority multiplies the examples to justify his fight. Starting with Michelle Obama, who never wore her hair natural when her husband was president of the United States, arguing that Americans “weren’t ready to see braids” in the White House.
Frizzy hair considered “unprofessional”
“It is estimated that 2/3 of women of African descent change their haircut before a job interview (according to a study for the cosmetics brand Dove). You are not considered professional if you arrive with your hair natural. We expect you to read them”, regrets Olivier Serva to BFMTV.com.
The MP also points to studies that show that the use of straightening products is dangerous for your health. They increase the risk of endometrial cancer by promoting the absorption of chemicals through lesions or burns on the scalp.
The law already provides for punishing discrimination on physical appearance, but it is considered insufficient for the parliamentarian. With an example in support: that of an Air France employee.
“We do not understand the subjects related to discrimination”
Hired in 1998 by the airline, the steward wore since 2005 “African braids tied in a bun”. The company then refused to board him “on the grounds that such a hairstyle was not authorized”, before dismissing him. The steward then embarked on a very long legal procedure to challenge his departure from the company.
“He ended up winning his case before the Court of Cassation but on the grounds that Air France authorized braids for women and therefore could not prohibit it for men. It shows that we do not understand at all the subject related to discrimination on the hair”, further advances Olivia Serva.
Hair discrimination “is not only for black people”, still judges the Guadeloupean who regrets that “a third of blonde women are forced to dye their hair to appear smarter at work”, relying on a British investigation.
A hoped-for political consensus
The member again points the finger at the case of bald people. “Myself, I suffer from baldness and it has long been a real trauma. We do not always realize it but professionally, we always prefer a man with hair”.
Olivier Serva is counting on a consensus in the National Assembly to have all the benches of the Palais-Bourbon vote on his bill by the fall. In the meantime, the bill that the deputy says he has signed by all the political groups, with the exception of the RN, must soon land on the desk of President Yaël Braun-Pivet. She will have to agree to put it on the parliamentary agenda.
