Why Personal Style Should Be a Federally Protected Characteristic
Personal style is an integral part of our identity and a form of expression. It is an outward reflection of our inner selves, our beliefs, and our values. However, in many states, employers are not legally obligated to protect their workers against discrimination based on personal style. This is a gross violation of basic human rights, and it’s high time that personal style is recognized as a federally protected characteristic.
What is Personal Style?
Personal style is a unique mode of expression that reflects an individual’s personality, taste, and lifestyle. It is a way of communicating without words, and it often carries cultural, social, and political meanings. Personal style can be expressed through clothing, hairstyles, makeup, accessories, and even body modifications.
Why Personal Style Should Be Federally Protected
Personal style is more than just fashion; it is part of our identity. Discrimination based on personal style is a form of bigotry that can have a severe impact on an individual’s mental health, financial stability, and job prospects. By recognizing personal style as a protected characteristic, we can ensure that individuals are not discriminated against based on their appearance.
Moreover, personal style discrimination is often linked to other forms of discrimination, such as race, gender, and religion. For example, black women often face discrimination based on their natural hair, which is seen as “unprofessional” in many workplaces. Similarly, individuals who wear traditional religious attire, such as hijabs or kippahs, are often discriminated against in the workplace. By protecting personal style, we can also protect against discrimination based on other protected characteristics.
Examples of Personal Style Discrimination
Personal style discrimination can take many forms, and it often goes unchecked. Here are a few examples:
– An employer fires a transgender employee for wearing gender-nonconforming clothing to work.
– A school suspends a student for wearing an Afro or braids, saying that it violates the dress code.
– A hotel refuses to hire a Sikh man because he wears a turban, citing it as a violation of their “grooming policy”.
– A woman is sent home from work for wearing a headscarf, despite the fact that it is a religious requirement.
These are just a few examples of how personal style discrimination can impact people’s lives. It’s time that we take a stand and protect individuals against this form of bigotry.
The Benefits of Protecting Personal Style
Protecting personal style can have many benefits, not just for individuals but also for society as a whole. It can promote diversity and inclusion, foster creativity and innovation, and improve mental health and wellbeing. Additionally, protecting personal style can encourage people to be their true selves, without fear of judgement or discrimination.
Conclusion
Personal style is an important form of expression and identity. Discrimination based on personal style is a violation of basic human rights, and it’s time that it is recognized as a federally protected characteristic. By protecting personal style, we can improve diversity, foster creativity, and ensure that everyone has the right to be themselves. It’s time for change, and it starts with recognizing the value of personal style.
