Natural Hair and Professionalism

Ten years ago I interviewed for my first paid summer position out of grad school with a freshly permed roller wrap. By the time I had my second interview, I had a cheek-length bob. Somewhere in between the interviews and the first day of my summer program, I decided to go natural. I started the program with a shoulder-length weave, and ended it with a TWA. They still offered me a full-time position after graduation. I got a job in a conservative firm, in a conservative industry, in the conservative South with my natural hair in an Afro. When I started working full-time a few months later, I generally wore my hair in a wash-n-go puff, with an occasional twist-out, and I wore it like that until I relaxed my hair two and a half years later. I never heard anyone comment about my hair during that time.

I've heard some people say that they don't believe that one can have natural hair and be considered professional. I disagree. Professionalism is more about the way one carries oneself and one's abilities than it is about a hairstyle. Years ago there was a question as to whether having braids in the office was professional, some people thought that it would be a distraction, but eventually it became part of the norm. The same can be said for natural hair. As long as we act as if our hair is normal, others eventually will also. Yes, we all have an obligation to look neat when going to work, including our hair and our clothes, but that never precludes us from wearing our natural hair, naturally. We can set the standard for what is professional for those around us, and I think we have an obligation to do so.

It's funny because if someone wants to discriminate, or attempts to diminish one's accomplishments, it doesn't really matter if your hair is natural or not.  That may be one more thing they add to the list, but we stereotype and discriminate for so many reasons (gender, race, politics, age, religion, etc.), that we may as well be true to ourselves, and happy with our hair. 

Have you had any issues with natural hair in the workplace?

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Write by: Unknown - Thursday, August 18, 2011