GLAMOUR MAGAZINE EDITOR IGNITES DEBATE

Oh goodness, I have so much to say…

First, the person who made this comments is ignorant for repeating something that is unfortunately taught to every American (black, white, yellow, red, etc).

Second, I attended and HBCU. During my junior year, I decided to go natural. My senior year I wore kinky twists for most of the year (I like braids). The chair of my department (Business and Accounting) told me that I needed to take my braids out before I went on interviews. She was really pushing for me to work for one of the top 4 accounting firms. I refused, and I guess that’s why I work for the government now…lol. Anyway, I told her that if they didn’t want to hire me because of my hair, then it wasn’t meant for me to get the job. It’s wrong for the business schools to try to force students to conform.

Third, there was a comment about how straightening your hair is not keeping it natural, etc. Ok, I still go to the hair dresser and get the good ol press and curl twice a year, or so. However, when the mood strikes, I’ll rock my fro, braids, weave, or whatever else suits my fancy. That doesn’t make me any less black. I just like variety. I’ve very proud of my heritage. If I wasn’t, I wouldn’t still have natural hair. It’s never been a problem at work. My boss just likes to joke about my “38″ different hair styles.

I’m not going to get all political and black power, because my beef isn’t with anyone on CL. There will always be ignorance and intolerance in this world. JUST DO YOU!

Ms_Mac
When I saw that question the first thought that crossed my mind was the 70′s movement where black pride was all the rage. It seemed back then that communities of color were united more than ever and along with HAIR pride, we had a very strong sense of cultural pride as black Americans. We had OUR own set of Positive Values that didn’t have to be taught to us or borrowed from mainstream America. There was of course opposition and prejudice thrown at us but back then it seemed like we were much more willing to fight back and show our children what it meant to not loose your identity. I guess this topic here kind of addresses that alittle.

I don’t know what happened to us since then.

#159, Shaquana

I don’t think anyone said that your name can hold you back, just makes it harder for you to get in the door, I don’t know if you know how Oprah got started, but a white man gave her her shot and she blew it up and fliped it on they asses.

I think what she may not been what people wanted to hear but it very true in today’s society. And instead of getting mad at the writer, editor and magaizne for publishing the truth we should ask ourselves why our society is so judgement on hairstyles especially in the black community. Most of the people who wrote negative comments about the article really need to look in the mirror and examine what they feel and think as a person. I hardly believe in a young black male came in your place of work with braids or in a long fro you would even consider hiring him. This society cares about the wrongs things, instead of work ethic, ability, talent, dependablitiy, we care about apperance and decievement.

Point blank we still stuck in that slave mentallity(some), lets start our own companies and makes our own rules!!!!!!!!!!

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO GOD!

I AM SOOOO SICK OF US (BLACK WOMEN) HAVING TO CHOOSE BETWEEN WORLDS.

its a sad fact of life (i guess thats why they say life is not fair) that we mush choose between losing job opportunities that could potentially genearte alot of money on our communities that we sooo need AND conforming to how FUCKING CRACKERS want us to appear as a prototype of them that we will never truly embody since THAT IS UNATURAL!

We are the only people who have to go throught this type pf scrutiny when it comes to getting jobs.

YES its true that we will be judged harshly if we choose to rock a look that reflects OUR CULTURE but does that mean we have to accept it? I aggree with one of he earlier posts that said “We cannot expect change to happen if we continue to accept what we are given” or something to that effect.

Theres no solution to this unless we ALL (every black person) makes a pact to only work for companies that do value diversity or we all only work ar black owned businesses and START OUR OWN SHIT!

I love GLAMOUR though! I actually wanted to apply for a job there since i want to be an editor. I don’t think I am going to hold the entire mag responsible for what one junior editor thinks. Glamour just needs to get it together and begin vigorous diversity training ASAP. Oh yeah, and FIRE THAT DUMB CRACKER BITCH!

@167

That’s when the government designed and implemented the crack epidemic under George Bush Sr. and the CIA and the black community hasn’t been the same since then.

Many of you made great points ! Heres my opinion. Glamour magazine has never really been a magazine targeted at black people.Lets be real. Their target reader group would include white or rather non black women.Although many black women may read the magazine, they should be aware that its actually not geared towards them.
While the comments made by this editor were very disappointing especially in the year 2007,I cant say that I’m totally shocked. Those comments mirror what most of non black corporate America and even some of our own people think about black people who choose to wear more natural hairstyles like afros,twists and locks.
Whether they openly state it or not ,many think it. They always want our people to conform to a style that is more comfortable for them,ya know less intimidating.
Those who walk the straight and narrow and play the role are more likely to move ahead.Is this good? NO because I take offense to them referring to locks,twists and braids that areneat and presentable as “too ethnic” . As in too black? Arent we black? Certainly they cant think that every black person that they see with long straight hair has that texture naturally. Many acheive it through perms, relaxers, dye,weave,etc. When you ask someone to alter who they are because you are uncomfortable with it than you have issues that perhaps you need to address and work on.
I also agree with those who stated that sometimes we are our own worse enemy.Its true. I have seen black folks give other black folks (and yes Im black) more slack openly than any other race for choosing to wear their hair in its natural state. Its like some of our peopel are conditioned to view natural hair as bad or ugly .Soem of our people dont want to be reminded of how their own hair looks or looked in its natural state because they have been wearing those weaves and relaxers for so long that they now think that this is their hair,lol. Dont think I;m judging ,because Im not.I too have colored ,relaxed, braided ,weaved my own hair but I havent forgotten who I am ,nor do I put down those who choose to wear theirnatural texture. I go back to mine every so often,just happen to like variety so I experiment.

I also dont think that the powers over at Glamour would be trying to justify or recant the editiors comments if there hadnt been such an outcry fro the offended members of African American society! Now the want to make excuses,They knwo d*amn well that more likely than not they agree with that editors comments. Please,but whatever I dont read their f*cking magazine anyway.Its does not reflect who I am.

And as far as hairstyles go, at times I’ve read 100+ comments here about the state of some BLACK entertainers’ beat weave or lacefront. So WTF?

Again, not that what that editor said was right, but we as blacks are sometimes so hyper-critical OF EACH OTHER, on the most TRIVIAL aspects of our culture, yet when intelligent dialogue is opened about an issue that requires one to look at the big picture in terms of race and consequence, it becomes a question of style over substance.

For the recond I don’t consider ANYONE here more proud of my race and heritage than I, and to those who feel strongly about how they project themselves as far as their heritage, I think it’s a beautiful thing.

LMAOOO#130 I LOVE IT! GO HEAD!!

WELL PUT # 129 LMAOO BAMBAM I NEED ONE TOO!

IM LOVING ALL THE FEEDBACK ON THIS SITE TODAY…YALL ARE THE BEST

# 172 JUDAH, YOU CAN REALLY GO BACK FURTHER TO THE REAGAN ERA… HE CUT OUT A LOT OF SOCIAL PROGRAMS THAT LOW INCOME FAMILIES DEPENDED ON AND IN THE 80′S IS WHEN CRACK JUMPED OFF HARD

She is so wrong those hair styles in my opinion where never political! Its all about style or taste it never had to do with proving a point I’ve never heard someone say that they are getting locks to prove a point it was more for the comfort, self pride, and just low maintenace of those hair styles! Stupid!

@177

Yes brother/sis, that’s what I was referring to. That’s why I mentioned George Bush Sr.’s tenure as head of the CIA from the 60′s up through the 80′s. The man still led the damn CIA even though he was vice president and then president. They designed that crack epidemic and it worked beautifully.

And full disclosure – Since I am a male and wear a simple ceasar cut at all times, I’ll have to also admit that I won’t have as much of hair issue as the sisters commenting here today.

IM APPALED AT THE COMMENTS IVE BEEN READING FROM OUR SO CALLED “PEOPLE” IN REGARDS TO WEARING DREADS AND AFROS IN THEIR WORKPLACES. SINCE WHEN DID WEARING YOUR NATURAL HAIR BECOME UNACCEPTABLE?? ARE YOU SERIOUS?? ARE YOU NEGROES THAT LOST AND DEVOID OF YOUR CULTURE THAT YOU WOULD JUSTIFY THE RACIST STATETMENTS THAT WERE MADE BY THIS CAUCASIAN LADY?? IT BAFFLES ME THE LOST STATE OF OUR RACE , WE HAVE DEFINITELY LOST OUR IDENTITY AND WILL JUSTIFY ANYTHING THESE WHITE FOLKS SAY, SO I GUESS WEARING THOSE RIDICULOUS WEAVES AND STRAIGHTING YOUR HAIR IS CONSIDERED THE NORM??

113..Sorry you are having a bad day.. hope it gets better

FIRST, I AM MALE…

OKAY, OKAY….I GOT YOU, THAT’S RIGHT HE WAS HEAD OF CIA. YEAH, THE TRAP WAS LAID AND WE STILL IN IT…

Who ever this sister is must have that “curly hair” or maybe I’ll say “wavy hair”. First of all I have seen some dreds on people and they are absolutley GORGEOUS now its one thing to let them go and not getting them twisted when needed yes then i understand but….. Im so mad I don’t even know what to say….. I’ll say this it should be taking to the Supreme Court its just wrong to discriminate against someone because of hair I can see like someone said earlier about the mohawks, and different colors thats something else but our hair is kinky and not everyone’s hair can stand to get permed and colored all the time…. Im sorry if u dont understand but this really makes me sick

To 165.. If you have to ask, then you don’t have it…

My comment doesn’t separate “us”, it’s just the way folks get heated when some folks choose natural over relaxed or weaves or braids. Each person can say that have good hair when they are comfortable with what they have and not try to justify the term to please other black folks to feel accepted.

165.

shawnti77
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
@ 54 what exactly is “good hair”? its comments like that that seem to separate us

He’s still head of the CIA. George Tenet and these other people were and are figureheads brother.

JUDAH said

“Honestly, the Glamour magazine article was very forthright. The job market from the interview and hiring practices all the way to the standards of promotion are based more on pychological evaluations than actual ability or aptitude. You have to be a good “team player”. The powers that be cannot risk a maverick that will infiltrate corporate America and actually be concerned about helping their own people. Standards have been set in America concerning facial hair and how one wears their hair because the mainstream associates those things with a mentality. That’s why the magazine editor said that “those POLITICAL hairstyles have to go”, lol. When caucasians see a negro in the workplace with an afro, dreadlocks, or cornrows, they may get offended, they may not, but they certainly make a mental note. Even looking at the war against Islam, the media is trying to get the American populace to associate beards with terroristic activity. To me what alot of black people don’t grasp is that America is not a melting pot, it’s a caucasian country with other races living amongst whites who have to assimilate as quickly as possible to “succeed”.”

LOL @ everyone who is shocked because of that statement. What she is saying is absolutely correct! Most of the “big firms” feel the exact same way. I knew this when I was just 17 years old. If you don’t like it, don’t work for them. Start your own business/firm and make your own rules. Simple as that.

Let’s stop and think for a moment before we call for this woman’s head. Hello, there are black companies (BE comes to mind) where it is STRICTLY corporate. If your employer is old school, whether they be Black ,White, Yellow or Green, they don’t want you to wear your hair or clothes in a matter they feel is not representitive. You don’t have to work there. That’s just the way it is.

BTW-I’m a black female with an extremly short natural hair cut.

@187

Brother/sis, thank you.

I dont agree with that shes saying, because I honestly dont like to hear any negative comments white people have to say about our culture. But I do understand where she is coming from. White people are already slightly racist, especially in the corporate world. And by trying to stick with your ‘roots” you could limit yourself of a great position. What are we as black people going to do stay jobless forever untill we find an employer who is pro afro?? NO! Just press, weave up, or “whitie-fy” your hair to get the job, then go back to your roots once they hire you. They cant fire you over your hair, and if they do thats cause for a law suit. When in an interview you cant prove an employer is discriminating because of your hairstyles. I just think we as black people need to pick our battles. Maybe if your trynna to apply to mcdonalds ok sure keep your dreadz fro or whatever. But in a fortune 500 amongst all the other blue eyed extra priveledged white competition, do you really want to limit your chances based on hair? think about it!

@ shannon75

So basically, the idea is that if we can form some sort of unity, even if it’s through something as simplistic as hair styling, then maybe we can get back that sense of community? I see. And I can agree to an extent but I think it’s a long shot because people today are more caught up in the material trappings, bling and keeping up with the Jones’, the white ones at that. Maybe if we had something to struggle for … but everything today comes so easily that nothing is worth fighting for.

And forget the idea about reviving the Black community. It’s every man, woman and child for themselves. Too few give a what about the next one and could care less. Individualism has replaced collectivism. And the idea of reforming our “culture”? Not gonna happen because we’ve been divided amongst ourselves and we’ve allowed outsiders to come into our proverbial heads and tell us that how to feel about ourselves. I could go on and on. But I guess that’s why this hair issue strikes home for so many and that’s why I asked the question.

I guess it’s a personal attack to tell a person, You ARE your hair. But I believe that’s called being bamboozled. And the people most adamant about keeping their hair natural are (in not so many vocal words) speaking out loudly against the status quo and what the man thinks we should be. I admire that. But again, how can people uplift and tear down at the same time? A person isn’t less interested in the struggle because they’ve gotten caught up. Maybe they are in the struggle to find a way out. That’s just my take on this whole natural versus relaxed stance. If we are all fighting for the same cause then why fight each other first?

Ms_Mac
Yes! I couldn’t have said it better, myself.

African Americans need to know one thing.
Caucasians don’t like you, they simply tolerate you.

Once you understand and accept that fact, information like the what was presented above, will be a lot easier for YOU (as a African American) to understand.

Judah
Your right-when Bush Sr. came to have a position in the “White House”(80′s-90′s) everything went downhill for black people as far as drug use and crime. His son is no better either.

@ 194 Exactly

African Americans need to know one thing.
Caucasians don’t like you, they simply tolerate you.

Once you understand and accept that fact, information like the what was presented above, will be a lot easier for YOU (as a African American) to understand.
—————————————

Truth speaks.

GLAMOUR WILL HAVE A BLACK WOMAN ON ITS NEXT COVER.

LOL @WIPE ME DOWN!
But #194 thats true. My momma told me before I went to my white high school, and it has stuck with me ever since. They don’t have to like you, but they will have to RESPECT you.

“HISTORY REPEATS ITS SELF”

“History repeats it’s self”

“history repeats its self”

do u see how repetitive that was but they all ment the same thing???
well, that indeed is the EXACT same way society is conducted! When Africans were brought over to America they HAD to just simply forget their only way of life they knew and adopt the so called safer white man’s culture. On coutless occassions, white ppl have forced, or subliminally hinted on forgetting our true ethinic roots, or traditons. And that’s what they want us to do now, just forget about where we came from…WHY SHOULD I????

Agree with #197. I dont see or feel the need to conform or assimilate to their so-called standards of beauty. I also agree with Twin tron. I decided to go natural about a year ago and my hair is now thick, full, and growing. Everybody is cheering me on except my sister who has a weave in her hair but like to tease me for going natural. I say this because after putting so much weave and relaxers in her hair, her is so thin, she is now afraid to wear her own hair. Damn shame. This is what happens when one cant accept what god has given them with pride and instead choose’s to listen to what is accepted by man.

wow good topic. i gotta say this my hair is naturally very curly and its in a fro like what Kelis used to wear you can look at my myspace to see it, & i remember going to an interview and the lady looked at my hair kinda weird & i didnt get the job. I went back a year later for the same job, with my hair blown straight & i got the job. So this is totally true.

I dont agreee with this at all though, its Racist.

white america is intimidated by anything african american that they do not understand and don’t want to understand. some years back this same thing happened to a woman who wore cornrows to work and she sued for discrimination.
If it wasn’t our hair it would be something else.

@WIPE ME DOWN,

No not just any black woman. A black woman with an afro or dreadlocks. LOL

She’d better stay her ignorant ass in the house. She is still stuck in that old ass “straight hair is better”-”good hair =straight hair & bad hair is everything but” time warp. I wish I could’ve been standing behind her when she said that dumb shyt so I could’ve tapped her on her shoulder and slapped the taste out of her mouth when she turned around. I guess now we can trade her & coon-da-nygga-rice when the Soul Race Trade comes to a town near you. I can’t wait for all the Hair & Barber stylists to get on her funky a**!!!!!!! Dumb Sellout a** broad!!!!!

How can wearing your hair in its “Natural Texture” be considered as making a political statement? Wearing your hair “Natural” is making an “I am created by GOD, and I love the way GOD created me” statement. There is a lot of ignorance in America even amongst “Black Folks”, so what we have to do is be persistent and patience about dis-spelling these myths and stereotypes. My customers are female and male they work in a variety of professions including law. However, I live in the Memphis in the heart of the bible belt where people profess a great love for Christ, but don’t want to look like him. (have wooly hair like him) I’m working on a book… Are You Programmed?, so we can understand why we have a dislike for our hair. It goes all the way back to Greta Garbo, Shirley Temple, Marilyn Monroe, Barbie and you know the rest. This society has taught all of us that the standard of beauty is white and blonde, and anything other than that is ugly. Once all Black women accept themselves the way GOD created them, (and our men love us that way) people can’t use how we wear our hair as a way to validate or not validate us.
Love, peace and hair grease!!!!!

I really find the author’s (of the Glamour magazine article) comments to be extremely archaic, myopic and offensive. I am currently employed one of the biggest financial investment firms in the world over, and I proudly rock my locs in the office everyday – in different styles, and I am considering coloring them. I believe that one could gauge a company’s ability to achieve by its willingness to accept change. This is not 1950 (our ancestors fought to ensure that), and last time I checked my locs did not pay for my college education or my intelligence – so it surely should not be a determining factor in any opportunity that was brought my way as a result of my intelligence. I understand, in the corporate world and in life, minorities have to play the game. We work twice as hard as our white counterparts, get half the credit, and have to play “agreeable minority” so as not to feed into the ignorant stereotype of blacks being volatile. I understand there will come a day when I will choose to cuts my locs off, but I hope that when the time comes, it will be on my terms and not the demands of the “good ole boys.” Thanks for reading.

now everyone knows not 2 rock a auburn color mohawk, thats just not professional. however when u have locks, especially well maintained locks it really shouldn’t matter. i once had a teacher that wore locks and he was smart as hell, knowing 7 different languages. prejudgemnet is the worse

now everyone knows not 2 rock a auburn color mohawk, thats just not professional. however when u have locks, especially well maintained locks it really shouldn’t matter. i once had a teacher that wore locks and he was smart as hell, knowing 7 different languages. prejudgemnet is the worse

When it comes to pleasin WHITE AMERICA of course it is offensive to them to LOOK AFRICAN AMERICAN. How ignorent is she to say that a Black woman should not wear her hair naturally? She is dreadful with that chemical shh in her head she calls beautiful. No! Whats beautiful is when a BLACK WOMAN is not afraid to wear her hair the way God has meant for it to grow out of her head. Who can give a F*&K about what they say looks good and what doesnt…they’re not God, and God doesnt make any mistakes. She is wrong for what she said, see thats why we need as many black sisters to wear and be proud of their natual hair because lost women like her will feel as stupid as the words she let come out of her mouth. LADIES IF YOU ROCKIN A FRO (LIKE ME)continue to rock it…its not called polictical hairstye…thats what they call it….its called natural hair. And its beautiful…very beautiful because its what God has given us..so dont let what they say discourage you.

Check me out @ http://www.hairdeva.com

Wow, I’ve missed a LOT!

@ BASHYBOO, girl it’s the truth!

Co-sign with Judah, Melissa & 194!

There have been many great points made on this subject, but as my friends and I realized long ago sometimes in the workplace you have to culturally assimilate, find a place where you can be “you,” or work for yourself! I work for myself & there is nothing like it. Of course just because you may be an entrepreneur don’t think that you still won’t be discriminated against. As much as things feel like they have changed they have really stayed the same.

WHAT ABOUT ALL THESE WHITE WOMEN THAT ARE WEARING RATTY, NASTY LOOKING WEAVES NOW, (example Shitney Spears).

DO THEY CONSIDER THAT UNPROFESSIONAL ALSO?

Because I have one working at my office and she looks a hot ass mess and she paid close to $1000 for her madness. I wish I could post her pic on here but i don’t have one.

I think its funny how so many black people feel that in order to be a corporate success you have cant be natural. To me, natural styles look very professional and they make people look more mature (IMO). How many times have we seen young sistas with dried up thin slivers of relaxed hair that you can see thru? Black people think that as long as its straight then its great, when in fact I would much rather have thick nappy hair than thin and breaking relaxed hair.

And other nappies, dont let these fools get you. Most of the proffesional women I have seen are wearing natural styles. Its always black folks that criticize and try to place fear of the napps in our heads, most of the white folk I know fawn over my hair.

I have natural hair and am new to blogging please give me feedback and tell me what info. you would like to see or look for as a natural woman or man . @WWW.yizoyizo.blogspot.com

THATS WHY I READ ESSENCE. AND DOES GLAMOUR REALLY KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT BLACK BEAUTY. SOME OF US SISTAHS KNOW HOW TO WEAR OUR DREAD,AFROS,BRAIDS AND NATURALS, TO FIT INTO CORPORATE SOCIETY. MAYBE THE JUNIOR MEMBER IS JEALOUS BECAUSE HE OR SHE CANT WEAR THESE STYLES.

I understand what a lot people are saying about this woman’s comment. And I feel like no one should be rejected a job based on their cultural hair style. However, what we do have to keep in mind is that some of us are not the ones sitting behind the table taking notes. So if the interviewer decides not to hire the interviewee then its nothing we can about it especially if we have no proof that our hairstyle is the reason why we rejected

I just cancelled my subscription. I always wondered why is wasn’t a lot of black models doing photo spreads or when in pics that went with articles, now I know. It’s sad but if black people aren’t represented correctly and knocked for our cultural choices, then they won’t get my money and fuck ‘em!

I have been natural for 2 years after being a weave head for 5 yrs!!!! I must say white people have no problem with my hair at all…The issue is my fellow black women!!! They stare and make remarks behind my back like I am Geo political or something…I am a confident plus sized confident sista so I just laugh and I say to myself how much they must hate themselves to be intimidated by me choosing to wear my “natural” “real” hair……..BLACK WOMEN WAKE UP and understand with out that horse hair and perms your hair would be just like mine is….This post is verification that most Black women hate themselves and they hide behind their hair for their self worth.

P.S for the record I will never go back to false hair again

Peace

Is this post turning into “natural” vs “relaxed” hair ?

Funny Tammy #220

also take a look at nappturality.com and you will find hundreds to thousands of black nappy women working in corporate america (hell they even have a section for hair in the work place). And Im not saying that ALL nappy styles are apporpriate for work (the frow hawk needs to stay in the clubs) but to dismiss a afro is pathetic.
I dont knock women who straighten there hair, but I just have ask why black women are the only ones who are instilled from a young age that their hair is too nappy and needs to be “fixed”.

@ 214

“most of the white people I know fawn over my hair”

Sounds like this website:

http://www.blackpeopleloveus.com/

hmmmmmmm…interesting.

this is so sad but so many professional people of color CAN NOT wear the hairstyle they want. for those of you who can, be happy and blessed but don’t judge people who CANNOT afford to lose their jobs off of some hair. i have seen it in the school system where brothas and sistas wear their hair natural AND professional, and they lose their jobs (maybe its just the south). yes it is just some hair so it should not be a big deal but until WE AS MINORITIES start owning business and setting OUR OWN RULES we have to play by theirs to get paid. is it a form of selling out? YEAH so what people do it everyday, to feed their kids, pay off student loans, and have a roof over their heads. GLAMOUR SHOULD DO A STORY ABOUT THAT– everyone should stop acting like “the system” is supposed to understand and accept “us”… America has a long way to go before it is the utopia it is supposed to be… but when it does get there i hope to be the first through out my weave AND grow a big brown FRO

^^^^^^

@224

THANK YOU.