SMH: Reverse Racism Makes Cop Cut ‘Rows’

Posted on September 22nd, 2009 - By Bossip Staff

Categories: News, One-Time, SMH

Officer-Mark-Strain

Officer Thomas Strain was looking for nothing more than a change in appearance when he decided to get his hair braided into rows, but instead, he found controversy. Police administrators in Philadelphia Continue…

  • POPPA SMURF AKA POP GOES DA WEASEL CAUSE DA WEASEL GOES POP

    MADNESS

  • Vonnie

    Racism’s still alive …

  • always knew

    Silver! OMG! White boy with corn rows! WoW!

  • %#&?!!

    y cant wh boys get cornrows? smh @ the hate.
    he aint the first.

    btw, top 5!

  • cruzan trini

    HOW IS IT ‘REVERSE’ RACISM? IT’S STILL AGAINST SOMETHING THAT IS CULTURALLY “A BLACK THING”.

  • drenk

    time to dread it up my friend

  • gg

    go luck my white friend

  • DizzyGuy

    I mean if he wants them why not. If he was doing it to be smart than I’d be like thats whack but he is probably one of those thug types so why not. You know down to earth.

  • Kami All Day (Haters give me Promo…..)

    Now you know you cant go around looking like the very brothas that we racial profile against!

    Besides, white people in braids look hideous.

    @drenk: Nah. He doesnt need to dread it up, neither. People dont realize that getting dreads IN NOT a fashion statement. It has a deep, spiritual meaning. Ask any Jamaican. So…him getting those, he would be playing himself HARD.

  • Larry
  • Kami All Day (Haters give me Promo…..)

    *IS

  • drenk

    @ Kami All Day (Haters give me Promo…..)

    I thnk ALOT people dont realize theres a spiritual aspect to getting dreadlocks, i’ve known too many dumbasses with em

  • http://www.yahoo.com Re

    I have no problem with white boys/men wearing cornrows…

    I have a problem with police officers and other grown men rocking it.

  • tg

    Just another act of discrimination in America to keep Black people down, but now it’s going to be another EXPOSED problem since a white person wants to do wear them. I don’t see NOTHING WRONG with corn rows, except the majority of people who wear them are black. So this clearly is a case against black people and THEIR STYLE, even though being exposed by a white man. I never will understand why White people can’t except black people have different cultures, heritage and styles. They have no problem excepting that in other cultures and races. It’s not racist or is it a crime to be different or wear corn rows. White people make it a crime to wear corn rows, etc. to work. But it really doesn’t hurt ANYONE for a person to wear their hair in any style they want too. Straight up RACISM at it’s subtlest.

  • Aunt Viv

    Oh please

  • Kami All Day (Haters give me Promo…..)

    @drenk:

    I know right! There are only so many people who really know this. Glad that you know! :)

  • DaHonestTruth ~ Turn My Swag On

    i think he looks cute! how is this reverse racism?

  • BBB

    I don’t think that they should have told him to cut his hair. His hair was neat, so the whole “professional look” was unnecessary. This is so 1990′s when Black men on wallstreet was “looked over” for wearing dreads and braids. @Undacuvabrutha: I feel what you are saying, Blacks worry to musch about appearance. White people don’t care but oh no leave it to Black people. There are more things going on in the world than looks. Don’t get me wrong there is nothing wrong with looking good and keeping yourself up but today everybody chasing the louis vuitton and riding the bus, late on their rent, and don’t have a pot to piss in. Where are our priorities?

  • I’m just sayin….

    Its NOT RACISM… Those braids are unprofessional… black or white!!

  • ForFavor

    There is no reverse-racism here. His hair style is unprofessional, period!

  • LovelyLisa

    That’s not really reverse racism.

    But anyway….

  • http://perryone779@yahoo.com rose by any other name

    If black men cant wear them on the job , then white men shouldnt either, and why would white men want to wear a black mans hairstyle any damn way~!! i know some black men who was threatened to be fired if they didnt change their hairstyle and this was coporste america not where you had to put a hat on over it.. smdh~~~~~!!!

  • Valencia

    What’s wrong with it? Nothing. We can have our hair cornrows but people outside our race cant? Tell me that’s not being racist. Unprofessional or not. Why is it ok for a women of color and not a man?

  • http://perryone779@yahoo.com rose by any other name

    typo .. corporate america!!

  • http://perryone779@yahoo.com rose by any other name

    Kami all day~~ and dont forget white folks stsrted racism , and as racist as they are WHY would a white man want to wear cornrolls, nobody said he shouldnt,, but WHY!but if his job says no then so be it, they say the same thing to black men in cornrolls, so you copy blacks so take the discrimination thats comes with it.. dont just take the cool fun stuff next take the walking in the store and beinf followed around by floor walkers~!!That would be a new discrimination… a white man being followed around in a store~!!

  • Kymberli

    I read this story in my local news yesterday and thought… “So what” but then looking at this pic I am like uhh… FAIL! Why does he have weave in his hair? This isn’t reverse racism I hate cornrows on males PERIOD! And the article states that the Superior officer made another black officer cut his too! So I think he was just trying too hard to make a point!

  • http://bossip bb

    Cornrolls is not a hair style for all black men it is a hair style specifically done by black American men

    Those that are professionally minded should not wear this hair style because it might have an impact on their career

    Just because women are corn rolling their hair does not mean that men should do it to.

    Why not wear skirts and stiletoes oops this is already being done in some states

    This gender role reversal starts from the hair

    Once the man spends more time at the Salon then the woman its time to do some investigation

  • Sticky-n-Sweet

    Some people spend way too much time hating…I hope the Philly PD is right about there only being one other cop told to cut his cornrows off, cuz if they’re lying…dude is straight PAID! Anyway, why would any grown man wanna wear cornrows?!

  • PUSSYCATFUN

    DUDE SHOULD OF GOTTEN A “FADE”

    HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

  • Undacuvabrutha

    @ Sticky and Sweet

    “why would any grown man wanna wear cornrows?!”

    Because I have that right!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • resurrected

    He should have quiet his job and fought for his hair….lol… Sad that no one can have there own identity… I tell you the world is trying to create nothing but puppets…

  • Nique

    *course*

  • upeople

    there is no such thing as “reverse racism”…
    dumbasses.

  • who cares?

    I have yet to see a black officer with cornrows,locks, or braids. Racists hate it when someone from their own culture does something more oriented towards another culture… they used to call them kinds of folk “coal burners”

  • Talent2

    Reverse Racism Really??
    huh,
    Reverse Racism
    the Reverse of Racism
    LOL can some one tell me what the Reverse of Racism
    is???

  • jonnyisking

    cornrows are done people need to grow up and move passed that ish…and in a professional setting come on

  • Nique

    @UhHuhTrick

    How is it juvenile to to express your opinion that wearing cornrows/braids is unprofessional and TACKY?? I dont care if you work at White Castle or the White House-its unprofessional.Even when women wear briads we have to be careful in the styles that we choose for the workplace.Its something that older men need to go ahead and let go.Unfortunately, you are usually judged by your appearance first before your work ethic.

  • Huh (new on here but not to be confused with the other one)

    In my town in PA I’ve seen a black male officer with braided hair. It’s not cornrowed but kind of small braids.

  • Huh (new on here but not to be confused with the other one)

    ^^police officer

  • I’m Just Me: KEEPING IT REAL SINCE 1983

    I think it is unprofessional, that is for black or white cops. IMHO!

  • I’m Just Me: KEEPING IT REAL SINCE 1983

    SORRY CORNROWS GET PLAYED OUT AT A CERTAIN AGE. I AM THINKINK BY 25 YOU NEED TO LET THAT SHYT GO…

  • http://bossip bb

    Cornroll should not be worn by men/boys period
    You are not women/girls
    Get it together and stop comparing hairstyles
    There is no point in time that black men were suppose to corn roll their hair
    Where did this whole idea come from

  • THISISME

    First of all, I don’t think this has anything to about race! The man is a police officer and he should present himself in a professional manner. If he want to wear the cornrolls he can do so off duty. Next, WTH White man want to have cornrolls anyway! Black man can’t claim nothing as their own!!!

  • Undacuvabrutha

    @ UhHuhTrick

    You are absolutely right, the only people that cares about a man having their hair braided is black women. Trust, my co-workers have absolutely no problem with it. Black women and some men use the “grown man” antic to justify their beliefs. That’s cool, but it doesn’t work for those who are intelligent enough to know that a person’s hairstyle doesn’t define the internal worth of an individual.

    By the way, I know plenty of so called “grown men” with fades and short cuts that are criminals and in jail as well. SMH!!!!!!!!!

  • lt

    So, the caucasian officer couldn’t wear his hair in cornrows but it was alright for the african-american men to wear cornrows? Sounds like discrimination to me.

  • africaking

    conrows is a tradition in africa black men should not be ashamed of who they are and who their ancestors are ,where them proud also a long beard is a sign of honor and wisdom, grow your beard long. remember your not white. be yourself.

  • africaking

    @NIQUE why is this a concern to you,

  • the sane one

    This is not reverse racism because it’s a black style…anyway, people in general should be able to wear their hair any damn way…as long as it is NEAT.

  • africaking

    many black people in the U.S are losing their blackness thats why i love jamacians they’re where the dreds proud and let nobody tell them different.

  • UhHuhTrick

    Nique,

    What’s your real first name?

  • africaking

    be yourself, black men who where braids start your own business’s that way your in control and don’t have to give in to white culture

  • Nique

    First of all this this a gossip site where ppl can vent and say whatever they want to say, so therefore-I made it my concern. Do us a favor and go back and re-read/edit your first post, you illiterate mofo.Maybe in Africa men wear braids as a sign of honor and wisdom but blk americans dont associate braids with that-its just a trend.

  • Nique

    *is

  • africaking

    and if amercican black women don’t love it ,they’re many black women in africa, jamaica, that love

  • UhHuhTrick

    Nique

    I know that you’re just gonna state your opinion in a matter of fact way, but i’m just trying to figure out what makes you connect braids with “thugs” and negative stereotypes bestowed upon black people.

    I’m trying to get beyond you just spitting out your opinion without being able to come up the reason why.

    Did someone with braids beat your cousin and rob your great grand father?

  • africaking

    @NIque so as a black man if I say to you that black women should not where weaves or get perms and that women should act this way you would listnen and love it. or you dont’ won’t nobody telling you what to do with your body and life

  • THE TRUTH _ Pretty brown eyes

    @ UhHuhTrick

    Nique

    I know that you’re just gonna state your opinion in a matter of fact way, but i’m just trying to figure out what makes you connect braids with “thugs” and negative stereotypes bestowed upon black people.

    THAT IS WHAT IM TRYING TO UNDERSTAND BRAIDS OR FADES HAVE NOTHING AND I REPEAT NOTHING TO DO WITH CRIMINAL AFFILIATION THAT IS STUPID TO EVEN SAY.

  • Nique

    @africaking

    uh yeah our conversation is pretty much done here. I cant understand what the hell you are talking about and I wont even try. Get your writing game up while you’re @ that internet cafe in Ghana/Nigeria or wherever you are-then check back with me.

    *Toodles*

  • africaking

    you can understand me its just your a sellout to the black race , by that I mean you hate anything that resembles blackness

  • UhHuhTrick

    @ THE TRUTH

    “AMD ???? WTF DOES SOMEONE HAVING FADES OR BRAIDS HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH CRIMINAL AFFILIATION THAT COMMENET WAS JUST STUPID.”
    ——————————-

    Because someone made a comment talking about only thugs, prisoners or criminals have braids (or something to that effect and it was NIQUE that said it)….so pay attention cause you ain’t the only one making comments. That’s why the person you are referring to made that statement.

    Maybe you should flip your questions and ask Nique that

  • africaking

    thats why many black men in the U.S. are returning to africa to find their wives. trust me i see it everyday

  • africaking

    Africa is the birth place of Life,anyone who goes against it is lost.

  • Nique

    Im saying that people who dont understand the culture of braids usually associate it with thugs. Most of the time in the media-anyone with cornrows and what not are PORTRAYED in that light. I wasnt robbed or beat up by anybody in cornrows but I just think it looks silly for a man that has age on him to be wearing.Thats all Im saying. If you get offended then thats a personal problem-if you’re confident in rockin them then my comments should hold no weight whatsoever.

  • africaking

    and by the way i’m not in ghana i live in Eygpt ,idot thinking blacks only live in southern africa keep listening to the white man lies

  • Undacuvabrutha

    @ The Truth

    @ Nique

    I am merely restating some of the things that were said in earlier comments in this post. I have no problem with how each of you feel about men with braids. What I am saying is that what others say about me whether it be in my face or behind my back in regards to my hairstyle, have absolutely no bearing on my decision to keep them or cut them.

    What makes you feel a certain way is truly your right, but that does not mean it is right.

  • Nique

    @UhHuhTrick

    I know where you are heading with whats my real name mess. How funny you thought I was going to disclose that but trust Ive NEVER had an issue with my name.Calm down, you are acting like we are on the Hill debating some life altering shit.Relax, if you rock cornrows then by all means continue rocking them till your hair line recedes!

  • Undacuvabrutha

    I’m extremely confident in rocking mine, thanks Nique. I feel you though!!

  • Nique

    @undacuvabrutha
    :)

    Im not so bad…

  • Undacuvabrutha

    @ The Truth

    @ Nique

    We good!!!!

  • itygrl

    NO NEED FOR RACIST COMMENTS

  • Nicole

    I’m a criminal attorney in Philly and I actually know this officer. I’ve cross-examined him several times. I have NEVER seen him with this hairstyle, and I’m pretty sure I just saw him recently. But anyway, we have sooooo many problems here with our police that their hairstyles should be the least of our worries. I don’t think he’s a “bad cop” or anything, so let him back on the street. We need all the honest officers we can get. But as an aside, I will say this: I don’t think I’ve ever seen a (non-undercover) black officer here with cornrows either. Dreadlocks, yes, but cornrows, no. And I’m in contact with police EVERYDAY in court. However, if there are black officers who wear cornrows and don’t get in trouble, it IS discrimination for them to ban cornrows on white officers. Period.

  • Stephanie

    racism is racism – what is this reverse crap?

  • http://www.bossip.com Blessed & Highly Favored

    I don’t believe it’s racism. I could’ve sworn all men black or white are not allowed to have braids or hair past a certain length. It’s the same way in the military, you’re not allowed to have your hair past a certain length, and womens hair cannot touch there collar. It’s still up to debate whether braids/dreads are considered unprofessional in a corporate environment. To each his own I guess…

  • UhHuhTrick

    @ The Truth

    No I gotcha…I reread. My bad.

  • momo

    it’s not reverse racism

  • KENNEDY

    Its not reverse racism. My husband had to cut his braids too. We’re in Chicago, he’s an officer. None of the guys are allowed to have crazy hair Black or White.

  • instantgratitude

    I’ve never seen a male cop with braids before – as I see from the story and comments most people haven’t seen it either. So, now it’s a big deal because it was a white boy? GTFOH, who cares, just cut the braids, go bald or a short ceasar or something, idk

  • itygrl

    @ Rose- I make racist comments? when plz show me bc I have never said anything negative about any race. get ur facts straight!!!!

  • love me or hate me.

    @cruzan
    HOW IS IT ‘REVERSE’ RACISM? IT’S STILL AGAINST SOMETHING THAT IS CULTURALLY “A BLACK THING”.

    That’s the same ish i was saying to myself.It’s still racism towards a cultural diffrence but on a white male.SMH!

  • nonselfloather

    Why are braids unprofessional?

  • Cokoliscious

    @nonselfloather – It’s like a man wearing a dobie wrap and trying to be taken seriously at his job. Or a white boy rocking a mullet and not expecting to be a joke. Entertainers and atheletes can get away with it but not corporate america laborers.

  • NeNe

    Let me just say this, I’m from Philadelphia. I am in fact from South Philadelphia where most of black police officers are patroled. I have never seen any black police officers wear cornrows in their hair. Besides the fact that no one in their right mind would wear cornrows anymore anyway, get it together ppd!

  • LET MESAYSOMETHING

    @NeNE—- RIGHT ON, RIGHT ON!!!!!

  • Ladylumps

    Wow. This is disturbing. How can this even still go on. I mean come on now people. It is 2009 stop the bullshit.

  • Truth …..and Di*k Hurts

    ya’ll stupid

  • Neo-Geo

    What’s wrong with white men wearing a cornrows. Most black women in america burn their hair out to achieve white womwn hairstyles.

  • Feelinsumkindaway

    “Everybody wanna sing my blues. Nobody wanna live my blues.”

    Borrowing our style doesn’t come without a price. Turnabout is now fair play.

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