The OB/GYN department at a hospital in Columbus, Georgia, has apologized for a sign in their office that prohibited sleepwear, which included pajamas, slippers and bonnets.
Under the attire and grooming policy at St. Francis' Hospital, a sign read “Please refrain from wearing sleepwear items. Thank you for understanding.”
Y'all they put up a GD sign. Like Black pregnant people need more shit to worry about. I fucking hate it here. pic.twitter.com/F8YrElzrF5
— #BakeOnceAWeek The Box – ON SALE NOW (@LeslieMac) June 29, 2021
The policy had Twitter users seething, with many saying the dress code specifically targets Black women.
Wow. I mean…wow. Where to start? Have you ever been to a medical office with a dress code? Now how about one that specifically targets black women? This is just open #racism
@emoryhealthcare
https://t.co/FjD4Zd8p5v— Dr. Elizabeth Gackstetter Nichols (@BlondeRipley) June 29, 2021
Honestly. My brain is actually exploding because the “BUT WHY’s” were so loud. If they are making rules like this, how can they be expected to keep Black women safe during childbirth?
— Court (@butfirstfred) June 29, 2021
If I can wear a ponytail or a messy bun or a bandana, a bonnet is acceptable. So black women have to do their hair to have a miscarriage? Let alone a regular appointment. Those docs aren’t doing anything good for the maternal complications or mortality of black women.
— Cathy Ngo (@cjmngo) June 29, 2021
The office has since removed the sign.
"This morning, we were made aware of signage that had been posted in one of our physician practices outlining a dress code for our patients," a spokesperson for the hospital said in a statement to Blavity. "The signage is not reflective of St. Francis’s core values, and it is not consistent with our existing policies and procedures. We have ensured the signage has been removed, and we apologize for the confusion and concern this understandably created among our patients and community members."
Contention over bonnets has recently prompted a national conversation, especially after comedian Mo'Nique posted a video to her Instagram discussing her sentiments on wearing of the headwear in public.
"I saw so many of our young sisters in head bonnets, scarves, slippers, pajamas, blankets wrapped around them and this is how they're showing up to the airport," the actress said, referring to when she was in Atlanta, Georgia, as Blavity previously reported. "The question that I have for you my sweet babies is when did we lose pride in representing ourselves?"
"Always have pride in your representation of you," she continued. "If you look like you don't give a damn, how you gonna be treated? Queens don't walk around with bonnets, and headscarves, and slippers and pajamas, that's for the house."
A handful of Twitter users also argued that wearing a bonnet should have no bearing on receiving a gynecology exam.
Because a Pap smear requires you to disrobe from scalp down, right?
— Camille UA ???????? (@Camille_U_Adams) June 29, 2021
If someone is comfortable enough to be up in yo coochie you are at the point in the relationship where you can wear a bonnet in front of them. pic.twitter.com/utm9ZRt4zO
— Creatingthrumymidlifecrisis (@AuntEs2cents) June 29, 2021
I can’t believe that instead of trying to reduce health inequities and maternal mortality rates for black women this is where a ob/gyn chooses to place its focus https://t.co/8FvEf6m5dK
— Jean ????????♀️???????????? (@jeanbg09) June 29, 2021
Some also argued that women who are in their third trimester of pregnancy have no choice but to wear slippers or pajamas and pointed out that the doctors who help deliver their babies are also wearing bonnets.
Also, no pjs and slippers in an office that’s supposed to cater to pregnant ppl? I know women who’ve spent their last trimester only in slippers because their feet were too swollen to wear anything else
— Tuisdi (@tuisdi) June 29, 2021
Please tell me what the difference between a bonnet and a surgical cap? @LeslieMac !!
Oh yeah a bonnet does the job BETTER and isn’t *white* ???? https://t.co/UNyhiEZoOU
pic.twitter.com/n7mtGVofc8— Jessy Jess (@JessyJessMart) June 29, 2021
But THEY wear bonnets to deliver babies
— AbolitionNow (@tracktee) June 29, 2021
Even if I had no intention of wearing a bonnet, if I see that on the door I'm turning around and leaving. The risk of medical racism for black pregnant women is too high for me to be fucking around please pic.twitter.com/lnJxRjaKA2
— For Freedom please. (@FreeOyinda) June 29, 2021
The CROWN Act, which stands for Create a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair, bans hair discrimination in the workplace and schools. The act was passed in a few areas in Georgia including South Fulton, Stockbridge and Clayton County according to WSB-TV. The legislation, however, is not statewide, something that State Rep. Kim Schofield (D-Atlanta) has been pushing to change.
“Your hair should not subject you to separate and unequal treatment,” East Point, Georgia Councilwoman Sharon Shropshire said, the outlet reported.