00:01We've got a hairy situation.
00:03For years, black women have complained of being targeted by TSA for unnecessary screenings because of their natural hair.
00:09After pressure from the American Civil Liberties Union, the TSA has finally agreed to retrain security officers with an emphasis on hair pat-downs of black female travelers.
00:19TSA also agreed to specifically track hair pat-down complaints filed by black women to determine whether discriminatory practices are still occurring.
00:27And some of you may remember that Solange called this out on her social media a couple years ago, how her hair was searched.
00:33Are we slaying or shading panel?
00:36Ooh, shade, shade, and slate. Okay, Demetria, I have to start with you, my love.
00:40Okay, so I've been one of those girls who's a victim of a pat-down, and it's completely dehumanizing.
00:45It makes you feel like crap. I've cried on airplanes because of it.
00:49Like, it's just someone you don't know putting their dirty fingers gloved otherwise all up in your head.
00:54So they're, like, really in there. I'm like, they're in there, their extra scalp, and I'm like, what are you searching for?
00:58Like, have I, like, put drugs in my braids? Like, I don't know what you're in there for.
01:03But it's just, like, someone who's not of your culture especially just all in there fluffing around, and it's just, like, it makes you feel nasty.
01:09Do you feel like this is something that they should have done sooner? Because I'm sure it made people complain.
01:13It never should have been instituted in the first place. I don't understand what you think I'm carrying in my hair.
01:18Like, it's strands of hair. It's bigger, it's coily, it's kinkier than maybe euro hair. But it's hair. What am I hiding in here?
01:24And there are people who travel with large euro hair. If you all like that term euro hair, I'm gonna use it.
01:28But it's true. Like, an updo or a messy top knot or something along those lines.
01:32But you don't see them asking white girls to take down their buns.
01:34That is true. That's a very valid point.
01:35Like, and you can have all manner of anything up in there, I'm sure.
01:37That's a very valid point. Ray, has your natural been searched?
01:39You know, I do want to say that they definitely call Solange on the right day.
01:43You know, she gets busy. And so, I do also think that it's very, very ridiculous.
01:48Because of this for years, I just put my hair in my bag.
01:51Because I just, you know, I'm on the cab there and I just put it in.
01:54Because I just like this, you know, I don't have time to take time.
01:56Let it breathe.
01:57I do a fro, sometimes it's like a mohawk.
01:59And I just don't have time for that type of, you know, time.
02:02I want pictures on your Instagram of this as soon as it appears.
02:07Wait, this is a pattern of the camera.
02:09Oh, okay.
02:10No, but I really do think that it's ridiculous.
02:12And from the very moment I heard this, I'm just like, it's about time that they actually did this.
02:17Well, I said Slade because I think we as black women are constantly having to teach people how to treat us.
02:22And this was an instance where it's now on the books.
02:24It's legal.
02:25We've taken the government to court to say, you cannot go through my hair.
02:28And so I think it's a great win for us.
02:30And I think it's great any time that any woman, for the person, the TSA agent who hasn't been educated,
02:35you know, this is now legally on the books.
02:37So it's a great moment.
02:38And I think it's inspiration for us to continue to share.
02:40So it's like when Demetria's hair gets patted through that, because so many women spoke up,
02:45we actually have a real backup now.
02:47And you know, something I'm curious about, and I should have looked into a little bit further,
02:50if you were to have said no, I wonder, did they get brought to the upper room?
02:54They go over to like the private side, and then they do like the whole scan,
02:57and they go through all your stuff.
02:58And you're trying to catch a flight.
02:59Oh, this is intense.
03:00So it's like if she's trying to get back home.
03:01No, that's a little intense.
03:02So like how they treat you when you have like weapons on you,
03:04or when they suspect you of something.
03:05It's too much.
03:06Yes.
03:07That little room.
03:08Yeah.
03:09Oh.
03:10Well, no, I didn't go to the little room.
03:11I just went off to the side.
03:12And they go through like everything.
03:13You know they put that little white cloth on?
03:14Right.
03:15And they start scanning.
03:16Wow.
03:17Yeah.
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