In.The.Black

Black women are versatile. We have a lot of hairstyle options available to us, but do Black women really have a choice? I was recently reading a mini-story HERE (full story HERE) about hairstyle indicating a power status. Hillary Clinton has changed her hairstyle since she first began her campaign, and now supporters of ”hair theory” think it means that she is relinquishing her power- bowing out if you will- because she has changed her hair part from the left to the right.  Supposedly, if you part your hair to the left you hare rational and assertive, a real go-getter. Conversely, if you part your hair to the right you play a more supportive role, generally demure and unassuming. Now, what does this mean for us Black folks? I mean, of course we can part our hair for most hair styles and Black men can have a part cut into their hair but does it have the same effect? If there is such a thing as “hair theory,” what do Black people’s hairdo’s mean to other races? I’ve met several people that describe ethnic hairdo’s (like braids, twists, dreads, or small afros) to be unprofessional and “disturbing,” especially if the person is dealing with traditional clients. Some people still can’t get with the times! I have met a number of brilliant Black men and women who wear the more ethnic hairstyles. However, some people in corporate America and Public Relations people cite conformity as professionalism. I thought we were a nation that embraces diversity and culture, a nation that celebrates our country’s mixed heritage. I haven’t been in the job market lately, and I work for a government agency where diversity is not only tolerated- it’s the policy. Ethnic hair is part of the package as far as the government’s concerned, and anyone who thinks to discriminate based on hairstyle will be in HR quicker than you can say lawsuit! I’m just saddened that some Brothers and Sisters must perm, straighten, flatten, fry, dry, and dye their hair just to be competitive in their professional fields. Now, I’m not going to sit up here and lie: I would maintain a traditional (permed, curled, wavy, flat) hairdo if my job and livelihood depended on it, but I’m thinking this is still a source of self depreciation that leads to lower self-esteem in our young Black boys and girls. Take Beyonce for example, she is often seen with long wavy locks- or an elegant bun on the red carpet, but often wears ethnic or quirky hairstyles for photo shoots. She is a major role model and symbol for a lot of little girls. I don’t have any children, but if I did, I wouldn’t want them feeling that wavy/straight hair is the only way to be beautiful and accepted. The celebrity that comes to mind when I think about natural locks is Whoopi Goldberg. Now, I’m not trying to hate but glamorous doesn’t come to mind when one thinks about Whoopi- not exactly. But even in the pic to the left, she can jazz up those dreads and hit the carpet with the best of ‘em. Gon’ Whoopi! Black is beautiful.

Now, I can say this: I don’t consider ghetto and ethnic to be the same thing. It may be a distinction I’ve made by myself, but to me there is a difference between a tasteful do’ of short twists, and a loud obnoxious neon purple ponytail. The latter is indicative of a ghetto person and can possibly be a distraction in the workplace (and other places for that matter). So don’t think I’m up here defending those ghetto Black folks that want to come to work any ol’ kinda way, like they just came from the club. I’m talking about tasteful and elegant ethnic styles as opposed to traditionally Caucasian-influenced styles. (By the way, Black people aren’t the only ones that can be ghetto (Ahem, Britney)! I found an enlightening article about Black hair HERE.

 Comment and let me know what kind of hairdo you have, why you have it, and how you think it effects you in the workplace! If you’re of another race, let me know (honestly but politely and respectfully) how you feel about ethnic hairdo’s in the workplace.

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