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Hair braiding in African American communities is a booming business. The shops range from minuscule hole in the walls to sprawling salons, where sisters and many brothers get their hair "tightened up" by any one of countless braiders. Many of these technicians are immigrants from places like Africa. Now state regulators are starting to crack the whip on these hair stylists by demanding that they get cosmetology degrees then licenses, and Illinois is making this move quickly.
The state of Illinois will soon require that hair braiders first get a cosmetology degree before they touch a hair on any of their clients' heads. The impending legislation has already passed the House and Senate and is just waiting for the state's governor to put his John Hancock on it.
Is the new law just another tax on blacks? Well, not according to the bill's lead House sponsor, Rep. Will Burns, who told the Associated Press, "At the end of the day, this bill is about creating opportunities for people who want to scale up businesses, who want to create jobs, who want to pay taxes." Proponents also argue that the laws are necessary to protect consumers should they develop hair problems or have service gripes.
As of 2006, Illinois and six other states required hair braiders to have a cosmetology or similar license, according to the Institute for Justice, a Washington-area group. Ten states and the District of Columbia had a special license for braiders, and 11 states exempted braiders from any cosmetology licensing.
Who is snitching to the feds about these illegal shops? Surprisingly, licensed cosmetologists are up in arms about these "illegal" braiding businesses. Currently, there are 63,000 licensed cosmetologists in Illinois alone, and "many of them do not look kindly on people practicing their profession without a license," Susan Hofer, spokeswoman for the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, tells the AP.
Many braiders argue that their art is not cosmetology. There are those who are choosing to pooh-pooh the laws, cloak their businesses and allow only regulars and referrals to sit in their chairs at a secret spot.
What does it take to get a cosmetology degree? In Illinois, it takes a total of 1,500 hours and $15,000 to legitimize yourself as a braider, then a person can apply for her license.
Illinois lawmakers do offer some relief. Braiders who prove they've been actively working at their profession for at least two years could get a hair-braiding license after paying a small fee. New braiders could get a license after undergoing 300 hours of training in braiding methods and sanitation.
These master hair crafters could typically charge upwards of $300 for more intricate creations and around $50 for simpler dos.
Will the memories of dog-day summer stoop-sitting while getting your hair braided fade into black? Time will tell.
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Comments: (23)
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By: carla ford on 5/04/2010 4:54PM
Since blacks would be disproportionately affected by this bill, it is a tax on blacks. It's just a way to disenfranchise poor black women from making money since those most affected are African immigrants that come here for a better life, but probably would not have the means to obtain a license.
Why would one need a license to perform hair braiding when no chemicals are involved?
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By: R. Trice on 5/05/2010 12:35PM
So basically this article is about trying to make hair braiding illegal if there is exchange of money between two people?....I REALLY HAVE TO SAY THIS.....
It just seems to me that every since Obama became President people of position who do not consider themselves of ethnic background/descent are trying to undermine, and "attack" the minorities of this country. It seems like they are trying to use...how can I put this...use "not in your face or sly racism" to make us wish we had never voted for Obama, and trying to discourage Americans from ever voting for ANY minority! I don't know the full story on Arizona it is affecting the Hispanic community, who is next Koreans, Asains, Jews/Jewish, the Irish? It's like Powerful people in Government are saying "Okay you say you wanted Change (What Obama stands for), and look what happened, having a person who is a minority is too much trouble" I know people don't want to think there is a "conspiracy", but there is NOT against blacks but the AMERICAN PEOPLES MIND SET as a whole to keep "The Good Ol' Boys" club running, whoever these political people from Higher ups to Lower positions may be are really going out of their way to ensure they get WHO THEY WANT which is a "White/Caucasian/European" figure back in the White House. Situation in Arizona, and "Hair Braiding Tax" with Illinois of all places taking the helm (Obama did live/reside in Chicago...) This only the beginning believe me!...We cannot allow ourselves to be worried/scared or intimdated into thinking that voting for Obama or ANY other person who is not "white" would be a big mistake. THE AMERICAN PEOPLE STEPPED OUT OF THEIR COMFORT ZONE, AND WE THOUGHT FOR OURSELVES, WE AS AMERICAN PEOPLE (Blacks, Browns, Yellows, Reds, and yes even Whites)HAVE SPOKEN, AND "THEY" DID NOT LIKE IT!, and WE THE PEOPLE CAUSED "THEM" TO LOOSE THEIR POWER...so brace yourself for the "IN YOUR FACE" tactics, and especially be aware of the "THIS IS NOT A RACIAL ISSUE" tactics! They want to keep the voters, American people as a whole divided! I ask we support our President during this very trying first term, with all that said..license/tax braiding hair not a good idea.
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By: elisa on 5/04/2010 5:32PM
hair is alive..watch out! I have braided countless heads men and women but I am not a professional braider nor do i wish to be.. anyway we never braid unwashed hair. Its about time SOMEONE WOKE UP, so they dont use chemicals. Think! hair can carry germs and virus--you heard of wingwroms and lice well there are countless more so, yes GET A LICENSE. As far as tax are concerned I rather get credit for my business then the government assume I made a million and take everything. Its called protecting your as-ah-sets. Just keeping it real!
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By: EB on 5/04/2010 6:58PM
Elisa:
You made an excellent response, and just wait until those Value Added Taxes materialize on the federal level. Then we will be paying up to 20% more on each gallon of gasoline, our food, the things we drink, and most of those commodities we purchase.
And yes, pay now or cry later.
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By: wordgirl on 5/04/2010 7:10PM
Does this article seriously say "countries like Africa?" Sorry, Black Voices, you've got no credibility with me.
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By: captainmidnight on 5/04/2010 9:16PM
Where is this country called Africa???????????????
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By: Beinginformed on 5/04/2010 7:42PM
I do not agree. Since the beginning of time African-Americans have been braiding hair. If you have a client with dirty hair, send them packing. It's just that simple. I have not heard of a large number of complaints in the braiding industry. It is another way for people to be taxed at a higher rate. Because they are not licensed cosmotologist, does not mean they don't pay taxes. If you operate a business, you must have a bsiness license. When you start using chemicals of any type, you should be licensed. When people of Middle Eastern descent come to the US they are given a 7 year tax break. When that 7 years is up, they transfer their business over to a relaatives name to avoid paying taxes. When you hear people being charged or convicted of tax evasion how many where of Middle Eastern descent. I work everyday to educate the African-American community on business and social issues and it is a battle. FEES and TAXES will be here for ever how will you make them work in your favor.
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By: sandra on 5/04/2010 8:17PM
Your comment is right on!
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By: gmbonner on 5/04/2010 10:51PM
Who's qualified to teach me braiding if I go to a Predominantly White salon,I'd like to be able to do
all types of hair.?
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By: sandra on 5/05/2010 2:15PM
I don't think it's a matter of someone teaching you how to braid. It's most likely about having some sort of training about various laws and health codes that a braider should be aware of in order to protect the consumer. I believe there should be some sort of requirement because even if one braids hair and has been doing so for years that does not make that person a 'professional' when it comes to actually caring for the hair and the scalp. I've seen countless sisters walking around with thinning or outright bald edges, or even bald spots because their braids were put in too tightly or the hair was too weak to begin with to sustain the heavy extensions. I once had an experience with a young lady who actually told me the braids needed to be tight so they would last longer. I never sat in her chair again. A lot of these 'braiders' could care less about the actual condition of one's hair, and too many can't even begin to tell their clients how to even take care of the braids or their natural hair or scalps for that matter. I believe licensing should be a requirement, but the actual requirements for receiving this license should not be the same as someone who is actually working with chemicals. Some of these folks do need to understand that if braids are not done correctly (too tight) this can cause permanent hair loss.
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