Hello r/longhair,
We don’t often need to address the meta, but this is one of those times. This likely won’t be a popular discussion, but it’s necessary.
As someone with long hair, who has experienced botched cuts, and as a retired stylist specializing in long hair, I understand the frustration of a bad haircut or losing more length than intended. However, the growing hostility toward hairstylists, especially female stylists, is becoming a real concern.
Lately, we’ve seen (and removed) an increasing number of comments referring to female hairstylists as catty, jealous, bitches, or otherwise feeding into the tired narrative that women are out to get each other. No one makes these accusations against male stylists. These comments are rooted in misogyny, plain and simple. If you’re making those comments, stop. This subreddit will not be a place for people to air their resentment toward women under the guise of complaining about haircuts. That is not a culture we will be fostering. If that’s a problem, leave.
This has escalated beyond just insults. This week alone, a user advocated for hairstylists to be stabbed until they "get the message," and another said they’d punch their stylist in the face. The fact that we now need to put automated safeguards in place to catch violent threats in a hair community is beyond ridiculous. There is no justifying this level of vitriol. It’s hair. People feeling entitled to rage over haircuts is one thing, but taking it to the point of threats and violence is completely unhinged. Both users have been banned, and authorities have been contacted regarding the threats.
This isn’t just about direct threats. Many hairstylists in this community have said they no longer feel safe participating because of the level of hostility here. That should never happen. This subreddit should not be a place where professionals are afraid to share their expertise because they might be met with harassment, abuse, or outright threats of violence.
So, this is the line. We are enacting a zero-tolerance policy for misogyny, harassment, threats, review bombing, doxxing, or any attempt to turn this subreddit into a mob. This applies to hairstylists, community members, and anyone else. If you can’t participate without being aggressive, hateful, or outright dangerous, you’re gone. No warnings. No exceptions.
If that upsets you, go somewhere else. This ends now.
