TSA checked afro for weapons at Hartsfield-Jackson

By Christopher Seward

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Bags, yes. Pockets, sure. Shoes, OK. But afros?

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Channel 2 Action News Hairstylist Isis Brantley.

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Hairstylist Isis Brantley of Dallas said she can’t believe she was chased down this week at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport so that her sizable afro could be checked for weapons.

The 53-year-old woman said she had gone down an escalator to catch a train to the concourse where her American Airlines flight to Dallas would depart when she started hearing shouts.

“I just heard this weird voice saying, ‘Stop! Lady, don't go! The lady with the big hair, stop,!' ” Brantley told Channel 2 Action News.

When the Transportation Security Administration agents caught up with Brantley, they insisted on searching her afro.

“Basically they said, ‘We have to check your hair for explosives’ and I thought they were kidding me. I just thought it was a joke. I was shocked. Everyone was shocked,” she said.

Brantley said she was in tears as the agents started “digging” through her hair.

In a statement, the TSA said Brantley left the checkpoint area before screening was completed and she refused a private screening that was offered.

"Additional screening may be required for clothing, headwear or hair where prohibited items could be hidden,” the statement said.

Brantley, who told the station she hasn’t cut her hair since age 12, said her hair had never been searched before. She also said she hopes she and other African-Americans aren't being singled out for such searches.

"My hair is my crown," she said. "This is my glory, my spiritual journey to connectedness to my African-American culture. Don’t touch my hair.”

She told Channel 2 she shouldn't have to change her hairstyle to travel.