Ms. Julies you hit it on the nail I’ve had that problem for sometime now my real name is Cuandi-asia and girl do I go threw some mess. I don’t know what my mother was thinking( and when i ask her about it she says i bet you wont find anybody else with that name Im like that’s a good thing Right) yet I just roll with it but I always thought I would never do that to my kids. My son name is Ethan daughter name is Madison you should see the looks I get by some people when Im out with my kids like walmart or mall sister and brothers give me the look so we can’t fault JUST white folks we do it too. I Love there names . I felt like any good push will help them in the Real World. As for the hair as long as it’s kept up clean for the office i don’t have a problem like the actor from SOULFOOD max her’s always lookes fresh and neat.

I really don’t know what you all are talking about because ALL of the white people I have met ABSOLUTELY LOVE my hair; it’s the Blacks who have a problem. I have never had a perm, and very rarely used heart on my hair. My hair is extremely thick and my afro has a lot of length, but my default style is the French braids (i.e. Cynthia McKinney). I love it because I can dress it up or dress it down, and I run a lot so I never have to worry about my hair getting messed up. I am in college now, and I’m constantly surrounded by white people and the Blacks are the only ones who call you out of your name (i.e. slave, nappy head, Ms Cealy) for wearing your natural hair. The white people are constantly going on and on about trying to figure out how they can get their hair like mine, and complaining about how their hair is not versatile.

Now I understand that racism is everywhere which is why I plan to start my own business when I graduate, but my question to some of the readers above is, why would you wear a wig (essentially lying to your employer) during the interview and change it up afterwards? Can’t they still ask you to go back to the European clown look? I always feel like if they don’t want a Black person working for them, they don’t want a Black person working for them. So they’re either going to hire you or not.

The biggest problem we have with our hair, in my opinion, is ourselves. If we didn’t ridicule our own people so much, then this would never be an issue because white people would know not to play that card because it never struck a nerve. Bump all that heat and hot wigs and smelly weaves and carrying on—I thank my mother everyday for not giving in to the pressure when I was younger and my hair is so beautiful because of it!

#65 Natural Mystique.. Whatever.. I’m proud of not dealing those issues and you can take what I say however you want it.

However, if I was talking about rocking an afro or locks, dreds, you would be giving the ” Go head, Sista” Be Happy to Be Nappy” speech.. so save that shit!

I’m proud and blessed to be natural and have all the things that post # 70 pointed out.

So if you want to get “offended” and be upset over a blog post.. feel free!

Thank you! shannon75. That’s what I thought.

This is why we must own our own businesses, create for ourselves, I am in upper management ia a severely corporate environment and to be honest with you if I wore braids, afro, etc. I would be out on my afrocentric ass, so I have operated my own business for abour seven years now, still growing it and working in this stuffy, (but WELL PAYING) environment. Screaming BLACK POWER deep within.

redbeansrice, That is soooo true.

THIS IS A DAMN SHAME, DOES ANYONE COMPLAIN WHEN KEN COMES TO WORK WITH HIS HAIR GELLED UP IN SPIKES?? WTF IS THAT?? WHITEY COMES IN WITH THIS SPIKEY ASS HAIR AND A BUSINESS SUIT TO ME THAT SHIT DONT MATCH OR BECKY-SUE AND MARYKATE COME WALTZING IN WITH THEIR PIXY CUTS LOOKIN LIKE THEY ROLLED THEY HAIR IN FIRECRACKERS

ME BEING THE HAIRSTYLE QUEEN AND WORKING IN CORPORATE AMERICA YEA I GET THE STARES WHEN I GO FROM THE SHORT TONI BRAXTON WIG ONE DAY, TO THE LONG JUST TOUCHING MY ASS SILKY WIG THE NEXT, BUT WHO CARES WHEN THEY NEED SOMTHING DONE WHO IS THE FIRST PERSON THEY COME CALLING… ME

I USED TO BE EVERY HAIR COLOR IN THE RAINBOW BUT FOR WORK THEIR SHOULD BE SOME BOUNDARIES BUT WITHOUT CHANGING ONES INDIVIDUALITY, I PERSONALLY LOVE MOHAWKS, I CAN GET IT DONE FRIDAY NIGHT BUT IT GOTTA BE ALL WASHED OUT COME MONDAY MORNING. I THINK PEOPLE NEED TO WORRY LESS ABOUT PETTY THINGS AND FOCUS ON REAL SHIT THAT HAPPENS IN CORPORATE AMERICA LIKE EMBEZZLEMENT, OR LIKE HOW THEY DONT HIRE BLACKS BASED ON THEIR OVERLY-ETHNIC NAMES SMH…

I’m not surprised at her comments. She’s employed by GLAMOUR magazine after all. Unfortunately, GLAMOUR magazine has the misconception that Black women are too loud, too thick and need to straighten their hair. The worst part about it is that they do reflect mainstream Americas/World’s point of view. Everyone wants to obtain that “White Beauty” and they are going to extreme lengths to achieve it (plastic surgery, bleaching hair and acting funny once they achieve “success”. Power to those that don’t give a f_ck about the haters. If they could get away with asking us to bleach our skin……………..they would. It would be a bunch of f_cked up Michael Jacksons taking a long look at the “Man in the Mirror.” TRUST.

It just makes you appreciate the brothers and sisters that have power and wear afros, natural hair or dreads. Not to mention the magazines for women of color such as JET AND ESSENCE that celebrate our diversity and creativity (including hair styles).

Alexandra

Some white people still dont’ get it! They want to clone you! I work in a corporate casual enviroment. We have about 200 employees in my building and there about 10 Blacks - and I sport my microbraids whenever the feeling hits me! I do my job and that is all that should matter!

#74

#70, shannon75 said it right. Kinky hair can be good hair. I think some people have the white people’s version of “goog hair” stuck in their minds.

@77TwinTron4

You are right-Black folks seem to have the problem with it-white people just take this insecurity and run with it. My mom also raised me and my other siblings to go the natural route-hair, food etc…so I know where you’re comming from. You have to have a strong sense of pride and sense of self to be able to put up with the ridicule from some of your own people as well as others.

Hi Mallato–:-).

She is wrong in her comment no matter how you want to cut it, if she meant unkept then she should say it.

I’ve read these magazines..and to be honest they don’t know what they are talking about in terms of professionalism. Browse through an issue on how to dress in the workplace and you will see my point. They have shots of deeps Vs showing all kinds of cleavage, sheers shirts, lace shirts under a suit jacket. None of that is appropriate, the pictures looks more like something you can wear out on the town. You don’t want to intentionally show cleavage at work with deep V shirts even if it’s a button down shirt. And lace or sheer-is a nooooo even if you put a camisole underneath. I remember looking as the pictures thinking that it was not business attire.

#76 fattygirlnyc, I love those names. Wow, though your name is pretty I feel for you girl.. It shouldn’t be that way but unfortunately it is.

#78, You talkin to me?
Who told you I was upset over your ignorant post? Your foolywang talk along with my morning coffee are actually working in my favor– I’d be dozing off instead.
I was merely warning your lost azz that your BS statement might get your feelings hurt.
Congrats on the “good hair” though. Too bad you’ve got deeper issues than hair.

@Noeatingheretonight

That is the truth. Nobody at Glamour should be giving advice on business attire b/c they always get it so wrong IMO. Everything is too short, too tight, too sheer. Their advice is for people who work at places like Glamour (or other creative type places) not the someone at a law firm or acctg firm, which are pretty conservative.

@87 noeatingheretonight … Hey girlie…

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”.

Wow. She wasn’t thinking past her nose when she made that statement. Being a woman who rocks my natural hair in an extremely corporate office I find that statement ridiculous. My hair was natural when I interviewed for this position - pulled up into a high afro puff. And I was fly! I got the gig and I work at one of the country’s top architectural and engineering firms. It’s all about how you rock it and the confidence you have. You can be nappy and still be neat.

I am a black man with locs that works in the judicial system, so for anyone thinking that my hairstyle affects my professionalism needs to get a grip. I am trying to stop cussing, but some of yall are full of shit especially #56 cocolicious. If you want to conform go right ahead, but nobody should feel guilt or shame for embracing their ethnicity. Massa would love for some of yall to work on the plantation.

Shannon75

Yes this is what I’ve been saying all along—we are our own worst enemy, it’s a shame but it is what it is.

Last semester I took a waitressing job at the local Applebee’s in a mixed area, and my co-workers were mostly black. They all kept bothering me about straightening my hair and how beautiful I would look…my customers loved it—they would always comment on my hair, the regional manager wanted to put me in a promotional video. We are the ones with the hang-ups. M

#54 WHAT THE HELL IS GOOD HAIR ANY HAIR IS GOOD.

If I had my own Company I would set standards as well. Most of us would….

If these same White people could have their hair natural like ours, they would. But because they don’ t have a hope in hell of attaining it, they bad-mouth it- funny that.

Talking about how weaves and braids were their invention when those white celebs started wearing them, when we knew better.

Here in the UK, Black men have been rocking their shaved heads for decades. Soon as David bloody Beckham comes along with a freshly shaved head, White people act as if he invented it the style!!

IMO, if your hair is neat, tidy and has oil sheen in it, wear it with pride, whether, natural, relaxed, whatever.

true that #94.

I wonder what she has to say about Jews who wear their little caps? Is that not business attire. Is that too ethnic for her?!

People kill me with that good hair crap. I got my hair done yesterday by an African and another African girl was waiting for her to finish my hair. They were saying how my hair was “good hair” and “there hair to nappy”. I was just baffled because I thought their hair was equally “good” as mine. All hair is “good”, as long as it’s clean, combed, moisterized, and not breaking off.

I think her comments are offensive, however many professions have rules on hair and clothing. I am a Broadcast major and some stations (mainly television) wont even let you
intern let alone obtain a job with braids, dreds ect. Those are normally stipulated in your contract when you are hired. I was told because it’s too ethnic.

Sorry for the typo’s I’m late to class. lol

#94 H20, I’m with you!

Is the “junior staffer” the granddaughter of Uncle Tom?!

I just wanted to say, that natrual hair is just that natrual, if your hair is clean and well groomed it should’nt matter…. I use to work for a well known law firm and I have always had natrual hair..Braids , afro or locks, even started my locks while at the firm. My hair was never an issue even wore headwraps. I think the person who made this comment was just stupid to voices her opinion in the form that she did (or he)…But we all have to remember “opinions are just like a**holes everyone has one”. Theres mine.

@redbeansrice–which by the way my hubby loves to eat..he calls it jag.

anyways, the clothes were something more for their line of work where it’s more important for people to see how great and fashionable you look as oppose to have great and awesome your work is.

Don’t get me wrong looks can definitely help someone get in the door but that’s all, it won’t help you keep your job. To anyone who wants to turn this statement around to show that the Editor’s comment has validity, I only said looks didn’t say anything about being unkepted.

When will people realize, it’s not what’s on your head it’s what’s in it?

@ twintron4…. I agree sometimes we are our own worse enemies. Growing up Bi-racial my own race discriminated against me just because I did not look like them or where my hair like them.. … We as blacks have different hair textures and not everyone has the same preference but we should not knock others because they are not like us…..

This post is very alarming. I think it’s time to cut off my relaxed hair and start going natural….wonder what my office mates will have to say about that? What do yall think?

# 89.. This is just a blog, so I’m posting my opinion and take none of these comments that serious that my feelings would be hurt. It’s just entertainment..

shoot….with all of these successful black lawyers up in here…can one of y’all write me a law school recommendation. I plan to apply after finishing up my master’s in computer science….if yall can help a sista out..let me know. (and my new locs should be about shoulder length by then !!!)

it is what it is

#110- you’re absolutely right. I’m terribly agitated today and bored at work. I apologize.

i remember a while back in dallas the dallas police department had a issue with african american officers who wore dreds and cornrolls. they were told to shape up or ship out.

House negros boi I tell you. I’m in the process of growing out my natural hair now. I’m tired of perms. I’m black, my hairstyles should suggest such anyway! Why do we have to fit a certain white standard of beauty. I’ll be damed if I can’t wear braids at the office! You can force someone to straighten their hair. Ol gurl needs a reality check, she obviously has not picked up a copy of Esscence or Ebony. Cause black beauty isn’t all about pressed locks and and light skin gurlie (a real black woman would know this) we need to stop letting media dictate our concept of self. The “beauty supply” who says were not beautiful in the first place. Girl needs a reality check. Go watch the Tyra show lady.

CL–why is there a hair product ad above the comment box that says “BLACK & GOLD…LONGER & FULLER HAIR EXTENSIONS”….hello…please delete that ad because it contradicts the entire purpose of this post

Dressing For Success In Corporate America
Ebony,  Jan, 2001  
IN corporate America, there’s never a second chance for a first impression, and first impressions are lasting ones. In this environment clothes may not only “make the man” or woman, but they may also make or break a career. Thus, whether you’re in the market for a new career or in line for a promotion, you should showcase your corporate look–and let your employer know that in addition to your skills, you’re a natural leader.
Experts say the first rule of thumb is to recognize that dressing to impress in social circles is very different from dressing to impress in the corporate environment. For instance, dressing to impress for some may mean thigh-high boots, a leather miniskirt, matching baguette bag and a hot pink boa. For some men, impressive attire may mean hard-starched blue jeans, a dangling platinum earring, and $200 gym shoes.

AT THE INTERVIEW
“When I’m hiring a candidate, before he or she even speaks I look at them,” says Hosea Belcher, senior vice president marketing, Artisan Home Entertainment. “If they’re not wearing a suit jacket or if they’re wearing a big shirt with floppy collars, I would think that they don’t care enough about the job to want to impress me.”
Advertisement

Belcher and others say the workplace is a community and you must abide by the roles of that community. So never mind about the office dress-code policy–at the interview you must always wear your finest suit, and your overall look must be strictly conservative. Young executives should invest in a good, quality suit and make that their interview uniform.
“It’s better to spend money on one good-looking suit and wear that to a number of interviews, because those interviewers will never know how many times you’ve worn it,” advises Olive Waugh, director of Chicago State University’s career development center. “If you buy flashy, cheap clothes just to have variety, you’re making a huge mistake.”
The bottom line is that you want to convey to your future employer that you can fit in at the office, not stand out, explains Penny Ralston, dean of the Human Sciences College at Florida State University.
“As a new executive, you want to portray that you’re interested in the goals of the company,” Dr. Ralston says. “Dress that stands out too much gives the appearance of someone who’s not as interested in the company as they are in themselves.”
Be sure to ask your interviewer if there are special dressing rules. For example, if your interview with Ford Motor Company includes visiting the plant, you may be asked to dress casually and wear hard-toe shoes. In that case, a clean white shirt and navy blue slacks would be appropriate.
Here, then, is a corporate dress code for Brothers and Sisters. Adjust your wardrobe accordingly, and your boss can focus on your outstanding performance, not your eye-popping style.
THE CORPORATE LOOK FOR SISTERS
HAIR. Your hairstyle should be neat and your hair color should be natural-looking and complementary to your complexion. “Your hair should be coifed professionally, whether it’s short, mid-length or long,” states Waugh. “[Weaves] should be able to be combed. Hair that looks glued on is not acceptable in the work environment.” Avoid popular hair decor such as barrettes, ribbons, butterflies or glitter.
NAILS. Long, elaborately decorated nails may be frowned upon in some companies. Exotic nails may cause your employer to doubt your ability to do your job. Short, clean nails in French manicure, or one-tone polish (nude, baby pink, earth tones, or classic red) are always stylish.
MAKEUP. Your makeup should be subtle and complementary to your overall polished look–steer clear of the overly dramatic after-5 or runway looks. “We don’t need to look like Barbie dolls,” advises Waugh. “We need to choose shades that are flattering to our complexions.”
DRESS. Remember, your clothes can say more about you than your mouth ever will. Your clothes should not be too short, too form-fitting, or too revealing in the office–it could send the message that you are not serious about your job, according to Al Barron, director of career services at Southern University, Baton Rouge. “You should have a nice `church look’ at work,” Barron says. “Women really dress up for church, normally a business suit that is very comfortable and not necessarily revealing. The church look is a very distinguished look that says, `I’m here for business and I’m confident.’” Darker shades of blue, various earth tones and basic black are good conservative colors. Stick with darker suits (navy and black) for the interview.
It’s also a good idea to save the red power suit for special occasions, says Exxon Mobil Attorney Ramona L. Ortiz. “I try to be reserved in my power suit, and I primarily wear it when I have something special or extraordinary to accomplish,” Ortiz explains. “For example, if I have a presentation to do, I will wear the power suit so that the audience’s attention is focused on me. It sends the message that I’m in command and that I’m an authority on what I’m going to present.”
SHOES. Shoes should be polished and not run-down. Stockings should be traditional in shades that are compatible to your outfit or your skin tone. Stockings or tights with wild designs, animals, rhinestones or even fishnet are not apropos in most offices. Keep an extra pair of stockings in your locker, because runs are known to occur at the most inopportune times.
JEWELRY. Jewelry should always be kept to a minimum in the office. Nose jewelry, lip jewelry, or studs in the tongue or eyebrows are generally inappropriate.
ACCESSORIES. For those seeking to spruce up their corporate wardrobe, invest in fun accessories that showcase your individuality. “There are some really good pieces out there that can throw some taste in your [corporate] style,” says Laurie Welch, faculty member of Florida State University’s Department of Textiles and Consumer Sciences. “Don’t wear a snakeskin pleather skirt to work, but you can definitely wear some beautiful reptile shoes and still be conservative and look very tasteful.” You can also invest in colorful silk scarves or elegant brooches to add a touch of spice to your corporate wardrobe.
PERFUME. Use discretion and taste in choosing your office scents.
CASUAL FRIDAYS. Aim for a look that will still convey that you are a professional–avoid blue jeans or gym shoes in the office.
THE CORPORATE LOOK FOR BROTHERS
HAIR. Haircuts should be neat and classic. Designs, logos and names shaved into the haircut are never appropriate in the office.
NAILS. Long nails are a no-no. Nails should be clean and well-manicured. A low-gloss (clear) nail polish is best for men.
SUIT. Save your dapper looks for the weekend! No lime green, hot pink, or all-red suits on the job.
SHOES. Shoes should be polished at all times, and not worn down. Avoid wearing gym shoes or trendy hiking boots in the office.
SHIRT. “You can take steps within the borders of being conservative,” states Belcher. “I wear colored shirts and silk ties and the whole monochromatic look (colored shirt and matching tie) and can be a little flashier. You can still have flair because there ,are a lot of styles that are contemporary and fashionable.”
ACCESSORIES. Here’s your chance to show your individualism. Stylish, silk ties in various patterns are a major hit in the office, but steer clear of cartoon ties or ties with obscenities on them. Also invest in beautiful suspenders, patterned socks (that complement your suit) and cufflinks to dress up your business suit.
JEWELRY. “Keep in mind that you want to wear as little as possible,” says Barron. “One quality watch, one wedding band or class ring, that’s enough. If you’re an athlete who’s won five championship rings, you still should wear only one ring at a time.”
COLOGNE. Steer clear of strong smells that may be offensive to others. Remember, a little bit will go a long way.
CASUAL FRIDAYS. “Dress-down Fridays” should never be confused with slouchy Super Bowl Sundays, Brother, there arc still rules. Avoid wearing shorts or sneakers. Instead, wear pressed khakis, or nice slacks, a white shirt and loafers or simple shoes. You want a look that is clean and still gives you an air of authority.
COPYRIGHT 2001 Johnson Publishing Co.
COPYRIGHT 2001 Gale Group

@114,,,,BALTIMORE POLICE DEPARTMENT had the same controversy last december, when they released a memorandum banning ethnic hairstyles. You should e-mail mayor@baltimorecity.gov to express your opposition. And the mayor happens to also be black.

regardless of this editor’s comments, Glamour has not been relevant for nearly a decade. this may be a desperate attempt for publicity.

@75….I am so happy i did not attend Hampton U. (They didn’t give me enough financial aid in the first place) They breed house negroes/uncle toms! I am a proud graduate of Morgan State. Our business school encourages students to have pride in their black heritage.

People in white America need to stop trippin we are not going anywhere. So it doesn’t matter if we change our hair, clothes, or attitudes towards certain behaviour we are still going to be here SO DEAL WITH IT. I’m tired of being compared to them because no matter how they put us down they are always going to try and imitate us in one way or another with the hip-hop fashion and plastic surgeons. I personally think they are the one’s with the inferiority complex.

I think the presenter could have used a lot more tact in her presentation, but sadly in most corporate firms this is still true. When I was in Law School there was a particular image you needed to portray when you interviewed with the big firms. It was said that you needed to appear as though you could conform with the masses and “fit in” without bringing extra attention to yourself and without causing too many problems. This is unfortunate, but true. I even remember a classmate of mine who had been growing long locks suddenly cut them off & pressed her hair before one of out larger job fairs. Needless to say, she got a summer clerkship. I am not saying it was because of her hairstyle, but one can assume. My classmates & I even went through this when some of us had braids. If they were small enough & almost looked like hair & you could pull them back into a bun, then it was okay. Otherwise take them out.

Friends of mine with more “creative” hairstyles went on to private practice or the public interest sector.

Many of the attorney’s I know who rock dreads, afro’s, and even braids at the large corporate firms didn’t do so until after they were hired because they felt that they needed to get their foot in the door before making “waves.”

I don’t agree with this, it’s just my experience.

#117- that’s the same code from when I was in college(professional job) and High School(scholarship interviews)

Looks like Glamour shoud have read Ebony for help during their research to see what has already been stated. In my last year of college I bought 1-$400 black suit and wore that to every single interview…hahaha.

And some of us need to stop imitating them…..

Well I have locs and I proudly sport them at work on a daily. I am totally offended at the way the world views natural hair. SMH!

as a woman with locks, i am offended. the success of hairstyles depends on how well people take care of it, i take care of my hair and i am complimented on it all the time…am i to cut it off or come it out and go for a perm to please corporate america? hell no. take me as i am, qualified and all or you’re missing out

#116 Helllllo!

To #17, 53, and 54. Your hair has nothing whatsoever to do with job performance. You are in bed with the person who decided to write those comments in the first place. So maybe all of you will end up working for someone who looks the part, but is dum as hell and makes you do all the work.

I agree with #10. I have just above the shoulder length hair…but, I wear my hair in many different styles….from flat ironed to weaved hairstlyes… to braids and twisties.. Recently I was working at a job where I was the (only) African American woman and everyday the white women would look at me in awe…or confusion. And they’d politely make the comment..”Oh, I see you’ve changed your hair”…Id say, “No, not really I just took the weave out”. Then they’d look like..” I cant believe she just said that!”…well dam, it is weave, not some ancient chinese secret. When I decided to get braids….(zillions)…the looks of awe and confusion quickly turned to shock, horror and disgust…as if to say, “How could you go and make yourself look sooooo “ethnic!” During meetings and in passing–they would be preoccupied with staring at my braids and politely smile that “fake” smile. Braids, twists, locs are not looked at as acceptable by whites and probably never will be….you could wear your unrelaxed hair in a hot mess of a ponytail everyday and no one would care…but as soon as you twist a loc, get any type of braids or cut it all off and line it up ( like women do sometimes)…white people begin to get uncomfortable. This is why braids on African American men are looked at as: threatening, thug, killa, drive by shoota, ignorant,etc. I also can remember once when my sister first began the loc process and went to work… one of her white co-workers came up to her and touched her hair (locs) and made the comment…”Why would you wear your hair like that?…its a little too black on you…plus it feels like wool, I dont like it”….my sister was livid, plus she reported the worker, who was then written up. I wear my hair like I feel as Im sure other African Americans do.. I like variety, but its always tasteful and presentable…and thats all that should matter…thats its tasteful AND presentable.

*Shrug*

@123 noeatingheretonight

I feel you on that $400 suit. I did the same thing! The store I bought mine from has free lifetime alterations & the suit still looks good! LOL

#129, MzCynik Funny but so true

@ #120, I understand what you are stating about having pride in being black and what not but I go to Hampton and I’m definitely not a house negro/uncle tom but I’m not majoring in business, and the people that I do know that are, are not uncle tom’s either…I’m majoring in Journalism and we don’t have any guidelines on how we should wear our hair at all…that’s just the business school. Half the people that go to Hampton have so-called ethnic hairstyles…

What the writer saying I guess it is not right to wear a veil to work (under religion circumstances).I don’t get it.With America being “the melting pot” you think we would embrace all cultures, at least I do and I only can speak for myself

I agree with Twin Tron.Black people are they worst enemy, Ive been trying to say that for the longest because when problems like this rise up like this it’s either or.

I’ve been getting my perm as long as I remember because of my mom, I really didn’t think to much of it and I still don’t because I think your hair has nothing to do, it gives you confidence but it is not going to help anything in the classroom or in your office.But I do look at hair magazines and I see wonderful natural hair styles that I like to try, but I rocking the old Halle hair so I really can’t curl my hair as of right now (at least I don’t think I can).But I say hair has nothing to do with your mind.

I would have went off if my white coworker touched my locks. But I guess I would be being to ethnic by having some say as to how I wear my hair and who can toudh it (lol) whateva. They need to stop sweatin what we’re doing and focus on thier own damn hair maybe put some bobby pins in that stuff so fly aways won’t be all over the place on everyone else’s desk and all over the wash room. See they really wouldn’t appreciate it if we sat up here and talked about their hair, skin, and clothes all the time it SAD.

@130- WhyTry?

hahaha…I still have mine too. It’s historical to me.

It was the suit that got me started, I went to every interview thinking-I look good, I’m going to kick ass, and I better get a job to pay for it.

I think dreads are fine in corporate America as long as they’re neatly coiffed. The woman in the picture above has her dreads sticking out every which way but loose and she looks a mess. But there are several ways that dreads can be styled to look professional. While hers appear to be starter dreads, she can pin curl them at night to hold them at bay. It’s the same thing with a club-hoppin’ weave. “Extra” colors, unnatural lengths and Hair Battle Royale styles aren’t appropriate for corporate America either!

Wow, its 2007 and white folks still dont have a clue…assuming the writer was white not sure if they were or not, but still they are clueless. Dred locks and afro’s arent necessarily a hair style, they are more culture driven type thing that embraces the natural. I dont even wear an afro or dreds but thats the way i feel about it. How could an editor allow such an article to be published? It was clearly an attack on the african american professionals and on how they need to asslimate to the “good ole white folks”. I laugh at the notion. They neglect to think that maybe we are proud to be black and have kinky hair. They dont even realize that some of us dont care what they think about us or how different we are from them and proud of it. Dont get me wrong, some white people are okay, but they have to be the most insensative race known to man and they still have cocky attitudes about their presence in the work place, even now. All i can say is WOOOW, this amazes me but not really. I mean i hope this was some one other than a brother or a sista cause if “we” wrote the article then its really a damn shame. If we cant even identify with our own selfs and what God has given us then dang, we are truly doomed. But whatever the case, i know that this article is a mere reflection of ones ignorance and just goes to show how some people still “dont think” and how ignorance really is bliss.

I agree with all comments that state that African Americans natural hair is beautiful. My people be proud of your crown. God would not have gave it to you if it was a mistake. I have been wearing my hair natural for almost a year now. I wear my hair in more styles now than I did when it was permed. Since I work in a corporate environment and I represent black women it will always be presentable.

As soon as I read this I said I would never buy another Glamour Magazine. That’s unfortunate because I am a subscriber. But that was out of line. She should be fired because she should know better as an editor for a national magazine. Dreads I think can have a very professional look if they are kept up. one of the doctors I work with has dreads and she is one of the most highly respected doctors here and holds many supervisory positions. She needs to do a little more research before talking out of her ass.

@120

Most of these “historically black colleges” were founded by whites off the premise of training blacks, mentally and spiritually, to be focused on succeeding through assimilation. They wanted to create a black upper crust that would look down on the other blacks and create a bourgeios status to aspire to.

Wow, there are a lot of compelling arguments here on The Loop today! This issue is so touchy that inevitably, somebody will disagree with you say, but the INTERESTING part about this issue is that EVERYBODY is right in some way!

First, let’s talk about the work appearance issue:

I’ve worked in the corporate and staffing industries for close to 20 years now, and the game pretty much remains the same. You CAN pretty much wear your hair the way you like, but it will in some cases affect you in terms of growth and opportunities. Look at it this way, if you’re black and answering the front desk phones, do you automatically affect a “neutral” (read white) tone? The smart players can do this effectively. There was one post that referred to having to dress more conservative than other co-workers because they worked the front desk. This is standard. Or what they call FOA (Front Office Appearance). Your being hired sometimes depends on if you are good for FOA.

The corporate game WILL NEVER CHANGE. There will always be some level of conformity to which you must adapt. That is until you start your own company. Now before somebody hits about selling out, I consider the corporate game one of the ultimate hustles. If I can walk into a professional climate and nail the language, performance and social graces then I pat myself on the back. I’m not losing any integrity. You might think differently, and that’s fine by me. But the unspoken rule is to reflect your environment as much as possible.

THIS ALL DEPENDS ON THE TYPE OF COMPANY YOU WORK FOR, OF COURSE.

Or simply pick and choose the companies you wish to work for carefully. During your initial interview, these are questions YOU should asking of your potential employer, with regards to diversity, dress codes, etc. A lot of potential employers are impressed when you interview THEM during the appropriate time, anyway.

Second, black sounding names and how they affect your children.

There was a good article in Slate magazine called A Roshanda By Any Other Name. You read and judge for yourselves, if you’d like:

http://www.slate.com/id/2116449/

Sorry for the long post, y’all!

I agree!

damn, i’m always typo-ing! i need an editor!

Sad to say, but the comments made by the “junior staffer” were absolutely true. To succeed in corporate America you have to play the game. The trick is establishing your own identity within the confines of that world.

Of course a person will never be denied a job or a promotion “outright” because of their hairstyle much like how a person will never be denied a job based upon their sex or race. But we all know that these are things that are considered internally. So even though they might not be addressed verbally, they are still considered.

Play the game, then change the rules.

whitewashed bitches will say anything to make them white ppl ruling them agree or laugh, how anyone don’t think this is racist (you can b racist against your own race) or discrimanitory or against the constitution is beyond me… i don’t support glamour its for fuckin white ppl. i read my hair magazines and i am good. fuck a corporation. str8 up disguisting.

Her comments are so disheartening. However, I am trying to be open minded.
I wear my hair natural and I struggle with situations like this almost every other day. I originally cut out my perm because I was forced to. After getting perms and braids some of my hair follicles became damaged and my hair would not grow in certain areas. I say this because, sometimes we don’t have a choice to perm or blow dry. So, what should a person like me do? Go natural!!! What I noticed is that it’s okay for certain people to wear head wraps, pray and or what ever due to their culture. But, for me to embrace my natural hair is… unnatural.??

It’s been 2 1/2 years and I can honestly say I have never been happier with my hair. My hair is so good, I mean healthy…

Nevertheless, I wrote the following poem after a few frustrating encounters:

Girl! (w/2 snaps and a twist)

Who are you to question their purpose or what they represent?

Stop looking for the extended fist.

They are, what they are… No more, no less…

What they have become, is a form of acceptance of myself. A start of a new beginning.

At first, these coils, this fro and these twists didn’t rock easy. The looks, questions, the comments and the stares. Shit!

Coming from You, it hurt a little bit.

My coils, my fro, my twists … I couldn’t have ever imagined loving them. But, my hair wouldn’t accept anything less.

My 80’s Curl, The Blow Dry with the flip, The Interlocks, The Braid Exts were never questioned!

My coils, my fro, my twists and all the damn attention they get. ??

- Just sharing…

@ BAM BAM… Thanks that was a interesting article.

@BAMBAM..I like it- ADAPTABILITY…(I always picture you swinging a caveman stick and breaking everything.LOL).

Although, I still think looking well kept and presentable is a key factor when it comes to appearances.

@ #144

Wish I had put it that simply! And yeah, the shit IS racist. BUT THAT’S THE G_DDAMN REALITY. Either play the game, then change the game, or get out the way.

I just hate it when dum fuks talk about people being brainwahsed by YT, fuk outta here. I suppose these same people live thier lives in a total Afro-centric bubble, without one iota of thier so-called blackness compromised. And wear a fuking dashiki to work.

I’m not shocked at all .You guys can be upset all you want ,it’s true. You noticed a lot of what ppl feel about “African Americans” or “blacks” ,they have no problem saying it lately then giving a half ass apology later, smh but we have equality ? Yeah, right. This and all of these other situation are to let you know who running shit !