The United African Organization approached Burns to push for a hair-braiding license as shops owned by African women, many of them recent immigrants, were being raided and shut down by the professional regulation department.
With over 63,000 licensed cosmetogolists, non licensed hair stylist such as braiders are cutting into their profit. Some of these perm experts want these braiders to take classes and earn a license. The cost could run up to at least $15,000, to do what many learned to do at the knee of their mothers.
Illinois requires hair braiders to get a cosmetology degree _ which can take 1,500 hours and cost $15,000 _ and then apply for a license, just like people who give haircuts, manicures and facials. Proponents say the rules are needed to protect consumers if they develop problems such as hair loss or have service complaints.
Is it really about hair loss or service complaints. Chris Rock's documentary Good Hair points out the money spent by African-Americans to have luxurious thick and long hair, even if it's not their own.
Chris Rock called it the $9 billion dollar business of doing black hair. As Rock learned the chemical processing of black hair is about chemicals on ones scalp, many women are opting for weaves, which only requires braiding and a little sewing. This removes the need for perming and the 2week touch ups by the perm queens. This battle between nature hair stylists and perm queens is being played out between them but now various states have gotten involved.
The States are in need of some new revenue stream, that licensing braiders could produce.
No comments:
Post a Comment