Is ethnic hair unacceptable?
MELISSA THEODORE 33, Accountant, Ernst & Young, Manhattan
“I have an older sister who is a corporate lawyer and my father used to tell me that she would only interview with straightened hair. Once she got the job then she would then switch to braids. Many people believe that ethnic hair is unacceptable. But my hair has never been a problem as far as my career goes. It’s neat and very professional.” (Newsday / Bruce Gilbert)
The hidden secret revealed —black women have discussed this issue with at least one of their closest girlfriends. What advice do black women seek? They want to know if wearing their natural hair will prevent them from obtaining a job or if it will ruin their chances for a promotion in the corporate world. The picture and text that you see above were found in an article written by Tania Padgett on Newsday.com.
Padgett addresses in her article whether African-American women working in high-profile careers have encountered on-the-job discrimination based on their hairstyle. This article comes after Glamour Magazine’s controversial battle over advice given in their ‘dos and don’ts’ section of their magazine: telling young readers to “just say no to the fro” when it comes to how black women appear to the professional world.
(See post: Glamour says “no” to the “fro”)
Stay tuned for more hair-raising news!!!
5 Comments »
Leave a Reply
So, what is split endz all about?
My hair has always been complemented on for it’s length, it’s thickness, and it’s beauty. Most people attribute my hair to a mixture of my genes—actually, the question that I am asked the most by people is : What are you “mixed” with?
I am Cuban and African-American. You can throw some German into the mix, too. That’s what I am told by my other family members. LOL The real reason why I started this blog is to help other people maintain their mane and get the healthy hair that they really want—whether using a relaxer or embracing the locs that GOD gave you. I’ve been split between both ends of the ‘black hair’ saga and have experienced 19 months of living as a “natural head” with no perm to now semi-natural(I’ll tell you all about that later)
Remember, your hair is your glory.
15 but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering.
New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society
-
Recent
-
Links
-
Archives
- November 2007 (6)
-
Categories
-
RSS
Entries RSS
Comments RSS
As long as I a working hard. Giving my all, do what’s best for the company there should be no issue concerning my hair. Now, if it affects my performance that one thing. But if I’m diligent and consistent I don’t the problem.
Thank you splitendz for the blog post. Now a days it is all about ‘the look’ afro hair is not considered professional or beautiful. I believe there is nothing wrong with my afro hair. If wearing my hair afro prevents me from getting a job that says something about their personality not mine. Insults like that just makes me want to work harder to become top.
There should be no issue with whether a person’s hair is natural or relaxed as long as it is clean. Unfortunately that is not the case, people are very closed minded. I especially see this as the case with African American males with dreads or braids, they rarely get hired because of their hair styles. It’s sad.
ITS BLACKS IN THE WORK PLACE THAT KEEP THESE STEREOTYPES GOING BECAUSE OF THERE ON INSECURITIES ABOUT FITTING INTO SOCIETY DUE TO WHAT WE WERE TAUGHT AS CHILDREN AND EVEN IN HISTORICAL BLACK COLLEGES….
Hey..well Im a male with a dark skin complextion. Im Black and Brazilian so I hae really curly hair..I keep it cut short in a ceasar and wear it in waves 360s is what they call them…I’ve noticed the difference of when I go into stores or at work or different places and the response from people are so different from when I blow my hair out into a fro. but its mainly other blacks more so than anyother race. I think we sometims knock our brothers and sisters because if the stereotypes we carry with out selves from our own in securities. we are so concerned with how other people view us that we stifle ourselves and fellow blacks by making them think your hair should llok this or that way..press it perm it cut it pull it back so that you will get the job..we train our kids to not be black if you wwanna fit in…do wear ethnic hair styles such as dreads ande braids…which are beautiful…I think INDIA ARIE said it best when she statedv in her song…I AM NOT MY HAIR… now that’s what we need to start voicing.
dear splitendz
I have serious problems growing my hair, some people say it’s by genetics others say that any body can have long hair but I dont know what to believe. Anyway, I really need your help on some healthy tips in growing black african hair. My hair is so soft and brittle, that is how it is naturally is. Please I beg you to help me. Im scared that I may neve have long hair. Please get back to me as soon as possible. Nanamiami93@yahoo.com. PLEASE HELP.