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Now if you are independently wealthy and can provide funds so your child never has to work I guess or if you can provide seed money so that they can set up their own business in a field where hairstyle doesn't matter I guess you can say "Do your own thing". However, even then when one crosses the border you better believe how young Black men especially wear their hair has an impact on how they are treated.
My son had to get a new passport...procrastinated and let the old one expire and go past the limit for renewal. I said "Get your hair shaped for the photo so you don't get hassled at the border". I will see the passport tomorrow when I pick it up from his Dad and see as he listened. We leave of New York next week so I hope I don't have the same battle re: getting his hair shaped so that he is not hassled at the border going or coming.
I remember going through this with my ex. We were down in Jamaica and his older brother begged him to get his hair shaped. Actually dragged him to the barber. The first time he did it. The second time he refused and boy did he get hassled and pulled out of the line at immigration when everyone else including his other brother and his brother in law sailed through.
After words, I said "Serve you right". I guess I will share that story with my son if he resists a trip to the barber.
So how do other parents prepare young people for these realities? Do you insist they get their hair shaped before they travel or do you just ignore it, let them get hassled and then cry racism?
My son had to get a new passport...procrastinated and let the old one expire and go past the limit for renewal. I said "Get your hair shaped for the photo so you don't get hassled at the border". I will see the passport tomorrow when I pick it up from his Dad and see as he listened. We leave of New York next week so I hope I don't have the same battle re: getting his hair shaped so that he is not hassled at the border going or coming.
I remember going through this with my ex. We were down in Jamaica and his older brother begged him to get his hair shaped. Actually dragged him to the barber. The first time he did it. The second time he refused and boy did he get hassled and pulled out of the line at immigration when everyone else including his other brother and his brother in law sailed through.
After words, I said "Serve you right". I guess I will share that story with my son if he resists a trip to the barber.
So how do other parents prepare young people for these realities? Do you insist they get their hair shaped before they travel or do you just ignore it, let them get hassled and then cry racism?
and he didn't wear a hoodie. YES!!! He listened to my advice and wore a shirt with a collar. 
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