They Coming For Them!
By: Tommy “Tj” Sotomayor

Black Dentist Says ‘No Bonnets, No House Shoes, No Pajama Bottoms’ Allowed In Office, And Twitter Reacts

By Jahaura Michelle,10 hours ago

An Ohio -based dentist has caused a stir on social media after setting an appropriate dress code for patients entering her establishment.

The Black woman, identified as Dr. Sutton, placed a sign on the table of the dental office that reads, “No Bonnets, No House Shoes, No Pajama Bottoms,” Atlanta Black Star reported.

On Wednesday, a Twitter user shared the now-viral photo of the sign and received mixed reactions from other users on the social platform. The tweet garnered 5 million views, 24.8K likes and 1,184 quotes.

“When y’all claim signs like this are antiblack. It’s a reflection of what YOU think black people are,” the Twitter user wrote with a smiley face emoji.

When y’all claim signs like this are antiblack. It’s a reflection of what YOU think black people are 🙂 https://t.co/c3TnmhKrVY

— 21 Sammich (@ANiMalANP) May 19, 2023

While some users deemed the doctor’s rules as anti-Black and racist, others praised her for setting high standards for her practice.

“It’s flat out racist,” one user said.

It’s flat out racist.

— cr.sellars (@Demont336) May 19, 2023

“If I got kicked out for wearing pajama bottoms to a root canal I would Karen so hard on that place!” another user said.

Since when is it necessary to dress up to go to the dentist?! This dentist should care that his/her patients are comfortable while getting treatment m. I’d be happy if everyone wore a bonnet in the chair so the headrest is not full of hair products and sweat.

— FOXX (@msjennifoxx) May 19, 2023

“The sensible reason is it her business and she makes the rules as long as they are legal. I’m sure she’s not the only dentist in town,” a third user wrote.

Bonnets are stigmatized because they are associated with Black people. Point blank period. You really think that there is a actual sensible reason to be upset with someone protecting their hair because that’s what a bonnet is for to protect your hair and it’s typically worn at…

— ✨Goddess Lain✨ CT, NYC, MA (@paylain) May 19, 2023

“What they fail to realize is that she’s enforcing such rules because she wants to maintain a certain image. People may not come back because everyone in the waiting room rolled out of bed,” another user said.

When y’all claim signs like this are antiblack. It’s a reflection of what YOU think black people are 🙂 https://t.co/c3TnmhKrVY

— 21 Sammich (@ANiMalANP) May 19, 2023

Many Twitter users found the sign offensive because it targets Black women who likely wear the hair bonnets as a protective tool for their hair. However, others argue the cap should be worn at night to protect the hair and not to wear it in public.

As Blavity reported, actress and comedian Mo’Nique faced backlash on social media after sharing her thoughts on Black women wearing bonnets in public.

“I’ve been seeing it not just at the airport. I’ve been seeing it at the store, at the mall… When did we lose our pride in representing ourselves?” the actress said in a May 2021 video posted by 9MagTV on Youtube. “When did we slip away of, ‘let me make sure I’m presentable when I leave my home?’”

Dr. Sutton has yet to address the now-controversial sign publicly.