I'm Jamaican and wore my afro and other natural hairstyles while teaching in Jamaica without any criticism for years. All hairstyles however are not appropriate for all settings. It's not about the hair texture, it's the hairstyle. Just as some clothing are left for partying, the same goes for hairstyles, and that is for all hair textures.
Please watch hes video clip I found on Youtube from a segment on Black Entertainment Television (BET) and tell me: What do you think?
That was a great dicussion video! Unfortunately I have to deal with this issue on a daily basis because I wear my hair natural in a corporate environment, and also have to make similiar choices every week. Today even, I left my hair in twists because I was too tired this morning to unravel them. They are still neat and my hair was freshly washed yesterday...but it's obvious still that my hair and I stick out...especially if my co-workers don't often see me wearing this style...
ReplyDeleteGives me a headache honestly just thinking about how much I have to change my look before I walk out my house, just to fit into this preconceived mold...all for a paycheck I guess....
99% of hair drama probably comes from other blacks. maybe once in a while the plantation owner (smirk) thinks they have a comment to make, but any bogus issue with "ethnic hair" is illegal in the USA. people need to know their rights. i've worked many places where others have worn huge afros, locs, braids, and twists (myself) and no one blinked.
ReplyDeletethe media industry is a racist nightmare all on its own.
Hi Chai and GoldenAsh. I agree, we need to know our rights AND exercise them. While I believe a huge afro isn't appropriate for all environments, we can and should still wear our natural hair if that is our style of choice. I received MANY compliments on my hair in the corporate world in the United States. I think my overall appearance is more important than the texture of my hair. Also, If you care your hair to get a certain length, we too can throw our hair back in a bun if we choose to. Right?
ReplyDeleteI agree, knowing your rights is key, because knowledge is power. I had locs in the past and had members of my own family issue negative comments on a regular basis! Same ol stuff..'you won't get a job with your hair that way,'...GoldenAsh makes a good point...it starts within our community
ReplyDeleteI do not agree that it is about the hair style and not the hair texture. In most of African countries, you can go to work with cornrows but your are likely to be seen lower in the social ladder than you really are. Your education and so on can be under estimate. If there is a marriage or something very important, not having straight hair is like being less dressed than you could. Most of the hairstyle our hair texture can do is deemed lower class. And sometimes innapropriate like, yes, simple afro in the USA. So the problem is ultimatly with that hair texture even thought it seems to be a style problem.
ReplyDeleteHey Sessé,
ReplyDeleteI can't speak for all Americans but I've never had a problem here. I generally don't wear cornrows to work - maybe flat-twists. I have friends who wear locs to work and they are fine too. I've had caucasian friends change their hairstyles for job-hunting. I just can't wrap my mind around it just being a texture thing - especially since I or the people I know have never had a problem. At my last job, I was embarrassed by one of the women with (unkempt) natural hair. She perhaps thought it was her right to wear whatever style she chose. I try not to judge. Your overall appearance is a personal choice. I can't speak for Africa (at all). I only go by my personal experience. I'm sorry yours has not been the same.
I work in the medical field, and my hair has never been an issue. Prior to working where I am now, I've worked in corporate (healthcare), and the only time it was an issue was when other black women felt I needed to relax my hair or "do something with those napps." Sorry to say, but whites have never given me a problem with my hair...I guess it depends on the industry that you're working in.
ReplyDeleteI believe it's not a hair texture issue. I work in a corporate environment. I've worn my natural hair in a variety of ways: afro, twists, puff, braids. I've never had an issue with how I wear my hair from anyone. However, I make sure that I'm abiding by the company's dress code: business casual. It's more about a person's overall appearance versus hair.
ReplyDeleteI work at a law firm where all of the black women wear wigs and weaves. I can say for a fact I have never seen most of my coworkers real hair. I have had natural hair for almost 3 years, and I do not hide my hair. I keep my hair neat and presentable at all times. I had in incident with one of my coworkers where she basically adviced me that my hair was not profesional enough for the law firm. I kindly let her know that my hair is always neat and well taken care of, and at least I am strong enough to walk with my kinky curly head up high. We have never spoken again, white people don't ever tell me anything. It's sad that another black woman would try to get me to conform back to a perm just because she wasn't brave enough to rock her own hair.
ReplyDeleteI loved the way they discussed this. All of their points were very valid. I think natural hair or anything else that one chooses to do that is outside of the White American blond ideal is going to HAVE to be a personal choice. I've had my hair natural for 15 years, BUT I worked in the fashion & entertainment industries and lived in NYC's West Village. If anything, I think my "different" look pushed me ahead. I realize it's not always like that in other fields. Recently, I was going to work with a huge non-profit organization and the manager I met with was Jewish. Her hair was bigger and kinkier than mine. We had an amazing kinky hair discussion. Even shared product tips. And she was as adamant as I am about not changing her look for a job. It was refreshing.
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