Is there a Place for It?
by Susan Walker of Earthtones Naturals
via Three Naturals
I attended a natural hair party a few weeks
ago and one of the women made a comment that struck me as interesting.
We were discussing products and she informed me that her hair needs to
be “neat” for work. She works as a graphic designer in a corporate
office. When I asked her to clarify what she meant by “neat” she told me
that she couldn’t have her hair “out” and made a wide gesture with her
hands indicating that it couldn’t be big. Her hair was blow-dried
straight and flat-ironed to encourage the sleek, straight look she was
going for.
Why is it that natural hair appears to be looked upon unfavourably in corporate North America? I understand the negative stigma attached to natural hair historically and the psychological vestiges of slavery when it comes to hair types and texture. And I guess some of us have been taught – either through media images, society and members of our family – to loathe the appearance of natural textured hair and have affixed negative adjectives to it. Historically when black hair was straightened we were seen as more likeable and agreeable, and less unruly and uncivilized. Much like skin tone, the more “white” we appeared, the more comfortable others were with us and the more accepted we felt. My husband likes to say that relaxed hair makes Caucasians relaxed. While there is likely some truth in this statement in the 21st century, I wonder if it doesn’t have more of an effect of making us (the wearer) relaxed around other people who don’t have textured hair. It’s sad really but feedback from other naturals has indicated that other black women are more critical and negative of natural hair than white people. Is this the self-loathing that is so apparent with us or is something else at play here? I’m not sure. A controversial decision was made by the dean of Hampton University Business school to ban the wearing of dreadlocks and cornrows by men in the classroom due to the “unprofessional” look of these styles. He defended his decision by stating that the ban has been effective at helping graduates find work. Is he right or wrong, I don’t know. But the decision goes back to what hairstyles are deemed to be acceptable and professional in the workplace, especially the corporate environment.
It still takes work to appreciate, be thankful and grateful for my hair texture. The availability of hair products and resources that assist in the proper care of our hair has helped tremendously. And because of the number of women deciding to embrace their natural hair textures, there is strength in numbers. We still have a lot of work to do to see our hair as an adornment of beauty rather than something to be scorned at and tamed. I love my hair because of its versatility; I can wear it straight and sleek or big and curly, and everything in between if I choose to. I see all of these styles as a representation of who I am and my hair hasn’t been a deterrent to me achieving success and advancement in my career. However I understand that this may not be the case with every woman who chooses to go back to her natural roots. I believe that this inability to wear our hair in specific natural styles can be an obstacle to the emotional advancement of women who are really trying to love themselves completely. I could be wrong but I definitely think it’s worth the discussion.
What do you think? Is wearing your hair natural looked down upon in your workplace?
21 Comments:
This is not a problem in my corporate "SUPER CONSERVATIVE" work place. It has been an amazing 3plus year journey for me. In the process I have enjoyed and supported others who are going through the journey. Actually several of my white peers and I swap hair products and tips. If you walk in with the its not professional mentality more than likely that is when someone will say something.
I'm a Producer and the versatility of my hairstyles just fascinates my colleagues. They'll be like, you cut your hair again and I'll be like "no it just shrunk" :-)
I haven't had a problem with my hairstyles in the workplace. The creative media industry is all for expressing yourself. Obviously, if I had a meeting, I would style my hair appropriately into like a bun or kinky twists. I guess you have to be comfortable with the hair on your head before someone else can be. Love yourself... from your roots to the soles of your feet :)
xxx
I'm a school teacher and have never had any problems with my principal or colleagues thinking my hair was unprofessional. I've worn it in twist and braid outs, twisted, and wash n gos without a problem. A few of my students have asked how/why I wear my hair that way, but that doesn't phase me. I simply make it a teachable moment and keep it moving.
I think it has more to do with the individual and her feelings about her own hair. Half the time my white co-workers don't pay attention to my hair. I cut off my locs and wore a fro for a little less than two months. I started freaking out about my own hair and decided to loc it up again. I love my natural hair but I need it neatened up for me not them. I think the lady from the article was projecting her insecurities on her coworkers. Considering that she is a graphic designer that seems more likely than not. I work at a large bank and am around clients all the time. No one cares about your hair. You just gotta look like you were trying to do something.
I can't buy into the criticism that big hair is not professional. There are plenty of women, who are not of color, who have big curly hair. However, I believe that cornrows may not be considered to be professional in many workplaces, and that well-groomed short to medium locks or afros on men would probably be very well accepted in the workplace. I am natural and I wear my hair however I like at work. I work in academia at this time.
Also, I grew and wore cultivated locks for seven years as a bank branch manager (from one inch long to waist length), and no one ever (to my knowledge) indicated that they were considered to be unprofessional.
I for one do not like the rolled out the bed look in relation to natural hair, where the hair literally looks as if it has not been combed. (This is just my opinion) I feel that you can wear your hair out and it be neat. Twist out styles are really nice and do not have to be wild looking unless that is the look you are going for.
I have been blessed to work for a highly diverisifed company.
I actually glad I came across because today I had a job interview. Yesterday my hair was in its natural state and i got a call from the job that i applied for to have an the next day. Once I told my mother this, she told me "Your going to do something with your hair right?" making me feel that my natural hair texture was not presentable enough or professional and that it needs to be straighten. Which kind of sucks because I already did my washing, deep conditioner etc the day before, and now i need to use conditioner to make my hair more "presentable"
As a male who has been growing his hair for eight years (it would be nine, in Feb) I definitely do feel the pressure to conform to a look that suites the need to be professional. To me either way, I feel that they look at guys with long hair, braids, locs as juvenile. I believe luckily for me, I'm going career path where my looks is not really a concern (Author, Actor, Photography, Filmmaking etc.)
Interesting timing. I actually work in HR and I am the only Black American in my department. I've been natural for 6 years, but flat ironed my hair for 3 of the 6 yrs and most recently I decided to grow out my heat damage. The first day that I showed up with a twist-out my co-workers just looked at me and then after about a week my boss said "so you're never going to straighten it again?" and I said "nope!" After that it wasn't discussed again. But last week a candidate showed up for his interview with very neat, very nice dreads that he pulled back into a braided ponytail and our recruiter made a big deal out of it. She said he was a great candidate, very smart, but didn't think his hair was professional. All I can say is that, that candidate better be glad that I was in on the discussion because he wouldn't have been made an offer. I've heard similar comments made by HR professionals in the hospitality industry and in the healthcare industry (my current industry).The natural hair community is huge in GA, but I still find that employers have issues with natural hair in the corporate world down south. Sad, but true.
Fortunately, me and the other Black girl in the office are both natural (YAY!). Thankfully we work in a small, casual office, but it wouldn't have mattered to me. Even when I worked for a large, local corporation, I wore my TWA proudly. I guess I've never really worried what people thought about my natural hair. My attitude has always been, it's MY hair! I don't get a vote when I see coworkers with horribly overdyed blond hair or outdated mullets or sopping wet hair in the office. But I guess it's like Paul Mooney said in "Good Hair", when your hair is nappy, White folk ain't happy! More of a reason for me to strut my natural stuff! I'm so tired of feeling like Black folk have to assimilate. We have worked hard for this country and it is a thankless job. The very least we can do is be true to ourselves and stop worrying about making everyone else comfortable!
I work for a large law firm in Atlanta and wear my hair natural. When I first started working here, I wore my hair straightened, but after a few months began to wear twist outs and braid outs. I always receive compliments, most of which come from my Caucasian coworkers!! One day, I decided to straighten my hair and had a white attorney pull me aside and tell me that he missed my big, curly hair. Meanwhile, a black female attorney informed me that she felt that my kinky curls were not professional for the workplace and she will only compliment me when my hair is straightened *cue eye roll*.
I truly believe that WE have instilled this negative stereotypes on ourselves, and that they are not necessarily from our Caucasian counterparts as we would like to think.
I do not think natural hair at the work place is unprofessional because hair does not define the abilities and skills a person can offer to the job and does not effect their performance.
It's subjective. There is no better time than now to wear natural hair. That is the advantage of having sites like this one and commercials showing people natural. There are many role models. I hope Curly Nikki and Afrobella do the naturals in the work place project that they once discussed. Or maybe they have already, and I didn't see it.
I have this discussion often...I am natural. Had relaxers all my life until 3 years ago now I can opt for curly/natural or straighten it and it's just as gorgeous. As I type I am wearing a wash and go and my curls are all over my head with a little head band. BUT I say all that too say I don't think it's professional. It's just this job doesn't necessarily need me to be at the utmost professional but more knowledgeable, friendly etc. I am going back to school to get my paralegal certification and have a job at a law firm waiting for me and the first thing my boyfriend said was, "You can't take that natural in there, back to straightening daily". I found that to be interesting mostly bc I agree. I don't plan to have all these curls in that type of atmosphere and I can't figure out why. It may not effect my work but I just don't find it professional *kanye shrug*
Very true
I don't believe that natural hair is unprofessional. It may be the style you choose to wear that may not be the most professional. This can also be true with relaxed hair. What about white people and other races with curly hair. Are they running to straighten their hair?? I think these negative connotations are derived from what others may think. I could be wrong.
You are so right! It maybe the style and straight hair does look a mess sometimes! LOL
I am BLESSED to work in a corporate environment with two other black women who both wear their hair natural like me. One is in locs & the other is in wash & go's daily. I switch it up from twist outs to braids outs to curly fros. Whatever I'm feeling the night before. And not only do my "natural hair" crew encourage each other but the non-black women in our office LOVE our hair. Compliments daily. Its really helped with my hair journey to be around so many positive people.
When I did my big chop last summer I got a lot of love from my family, friends, and all of my co-workers. I was the only person scared, but my desire to cut out my perm was stronger than my fear. Now I know my hairs needs, likes, and dislikes, and it has grown out 9 inches and it's even more all of that! I have to say that I love it and I know it looks good! I think that Black folk tend to continue this hatred or our hair and skin. I was just readding an article on theroot.com that was about colorism and the way OUR own people a racist amoung ourselves. It is so ignorant.
Hi from Paris :). It's funny how paranoiac we are sometimes:) I've been working for 12 years, I'm 35 and i think I've seen maybe two or three caucasian girls wearing biiig hair, short or long in the companies I had worked for. In western countries women have been told that they have to be slim with sleek, shiny and long hair. Many caucasian women can't live without a flat iron. I've been natural for 6 years and the more I learn to take care of my hair, the better style I get...the more confidence I get. And I witness changes on how the people act with me. I've been working for a big corporation since july and my EVERYDAY style is the high bun. How big my hair is remain a mystery that I looove. When I will decide to wear my hair out I know people will react positively. It's your journey , you choose how you project your inner world.
Love you girl
Fam
I am a doctor, one of the few blacks in my area, and I went natural over 3 years ago. Everyone loved it and always compliment my hair especially patients. It even inspired some to go natural themselves. I've had no issues. I think it's your attitude about it although I do know there are some people that don't feel it's "professional." I think WE have to let society know that natural hair is here to stay and society will acquiesce.
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