that was a direct hit how can you go to a place and rule out someone’s culture? of course the glamour editor knew that black women wear dreads that was very unprofessional and inappropriate just because every black woman doesn’t have silky hair

As a black attorney I find her assertions offensive. Unfortunately her comments are reflective of some people’s attitudes, especially if you’re talking about the “big firm” atmosphere. I remember in law school I went on a mock interview with a brother who was an associate at a big firm. He had locks, but when I checked the firm’s website I could tell that he didn’t decide to grow them until after he started working there. He probably thought he wouldn’t have got the job if he showed up for the interview with locks.

Unfortunately whether people want to accept it or not certain hairstyle choices will not be acceptable in the mainstream and it could be dreads, bright colors, mohawks, etc. We (I am african-american) have a hard enough time getting jobs, positions, respect and you have to make a personal decision whether or not you are willing to put your self out there with a hair style choice because people judge you by your appearance. If appearance wasn’t important, plastic surgery, cosmetic dentistry, the beauty industry and the other industries that inhance appearance would be out of business. When these statement are made they reflect how a certain demographic really feels and while it may be upsetting you CANNOT change how people really feel they may act like they are accepting but they are NOT.

wow i saw this a while back and thought the lady that said this was being harsh and just plain disrespectful. so do white people think that we are born with that straight hair? i am offended because i was doing research on how people in the “white collar” environment respond to dredlocks (as i was deciding to grow some). once i saw that many companies are not accepting of dredlocks, i made the decision not to get them. i would really hate for someone to judge me by my hair instead of my resume when applying for a job, but that is what many do. everything nowadays is all about appearance, hell what am i even going to school for, lol.

I think a persons credentials and expertise should count more than looks, as long as the looks are presentable.

^Yep. I’m still a bit surprised that people have a problem with locks though. I thought they had pretty much become acceptable now, as long as they are neat and well-kept and you still look professional. It really depends on where you work and for whom. It is a calculated risk though.

I think that the editor is just keeping it real. Corporate America is a white world and all people have to play the game by the rules to succeed. She’s just giving people good food for thought. Props to the sister.

i work in a corporate environment and have natural hair. i wear it up neatly in a ‘puff’ that is in opinion very elegant looking. and many at work love it. i’ve gotten one two comments from old white men on my new ‘experimental’ hairstyle as they called it not understanding or respecting cultural differences. we cannot just stop being ourselves to fit in. this 07. whites need to get over themselves and blacks need to have the backbone to be true to self even if its hard so that future generations wont have to fight the same fight. its called progress. ias long as one is neat and presentable, there should be bo issue. im kinda of tired of the rejection of all things exclusively black and those things being dismissed as inferior. stand up and if they want to call it political in this day then i guess the statement still needs to be made cause they just aren’t getting it.

Do what you have to do to get it then change the game up. If you think “they” are going to change then you are foolish.

White America is intimidated by braids and dreads. They take offense to us wearing styles that make us appear to be too “ethnic”. If we are going to succeed in the corporate world we may be forced to tone down our ethnicity. I believe that it is unfair, but this is America and America was not built on the priniciple of “black power” or “black self awareness”. Braids, dreads, and afros exude a certain amount of pride in one’s race. Heaven knows that America finds black pride more than just a little offensive.

Why am I not surprised(another shot at black women). I don’t read this magazine, but I can bet that is wasn’t very “diverse” to begin with.

Looks matter…that’s a fact. Don’t think I would have called them political hairstyles though…

I agree with Bouga.But you know this world is full of _____________.That’s why I don’t see, a no offense, why people put some people on high pedestal.

its obvious those hairstyles intimidate/ “scare” caucasion ppl….it screams “blackk power” to them….kinda sad

wow…I’m surprised that a big magazine company like Glamour lacks diversity training. I work for a big company and I remember a few years ago I was talking with a black co-worker who wears corn-rolls. He had told me that one of our upper mgrs had “suggested” that he takes his braids out. I told him HR!!! You might be able to get away with saying things like that in a small company but in bigger companies they have to worry about law suits and diversity.

When it’s inappropriate or offensive to YOU take it to HR, it’s a form of haressment.

Wow…..I mean c’mon I dont undestand what the fascination is with “white america” and upholding there standards for our beauty sorry but if Im qualified to do my job and my appearance is respectable in regards to my corporation them Ima do me!

I am black and I’m in grad school and hopefully I will have my ad firm. And I don’t find this offensive. I would never hire somebody with cornrows or dreds are whatever. The same way I wouldn’t hire someone with visable tattos on neck, wrist etc. This is not a racial thing. The same way I would hire someone with a mohawk and one of those crazy hairstyle u see white ppl walking around with. Jena 6 is racism this and micheal vick is not we need to learn how to channel our anger. And stop putting cornrows in out kids hair this school year.

^ The thing is not about hiring somebody.This person has already been hired.Somebody could change their style up and anybody can do that.

@Deer…I totally agree!

Your hairstyle shouldn’t matter your work should speak for itself.

Another thing:
Some of us black women would rather go out of the house with a ratty fake looking euro weave on, than to wear what we naturally have(which most times, looks much better). We set the stage for how others will respect and accept our choices when it comes to some aspects of cultural preservation. If we are buying their(corporate America) products and services and contributing to the growth of their companies then they should be catering to us and not telling us what they think is best.

i Tell my children/boys all the time you have to Dress for Success! i will not allow them to walk around, go to school with Dreads, mo hawk or pants on with out a belt “saggin”. 9 times out of 10 the kids who are getting in trouble at there school are dressing and acting up and looking like this. and what ever you teach them when they grow up this is what they will act like when it is time for them to go into the work place and the world!

^^r u crazy?

#17-Hi Sleep- what are cornrolls? It’s a bunch of reverse french braids. That’s all corn-rolls are, if I can put 2 french braids in my hair then what’s the difference between 2 and 6?

I do think that looks your appearance is important when you’re in a customer-interfacing situations; I don’t mean being a cashier at CVS but if you’re giving a presentation for a potential million $ deal.

I work in a corporate office at a University and although many of the students, staff and some faculty can wear their native hairstyles and dress, the area I’m in is at a building where the “affulent” of the city own the building. I was told by my supervisor I could not wear braids, scarves, ,etc. because I sit at the Front Desk and everyone who is anyone will see me. Our employees though can wear what they want, they sit in the back of the office behind cubicles. Go figure.

@BIGMA
So I take it that you equate a black persons natural hair texture and hairstyles to unprofessionalism?

So anyone with a straight blonde hair, blue eyes I be acceptable.But if I choose to wear my hair naturally curly and I do to my job that it is not acceptable?

* for the person writing the article.

its 2007 I can’t believe she woudl make a statement like that!
http://www.dimplesandshades.blogspot.com

I agree #5.

A few yrs back, I was sporting two stand twists and going on a interview to a Workers Comp firm. I really wanted the job and just got my hair done so I stuff my twists in the wig cap and slap it on and went on the interview and I got the job. Now would have I gotten the job with my hair; I don’t know, but to be honest with you I’m glad I did. You never know who is at the interviews or job site that are looking and thinking the same things you are worried about.

After accepting the position I came to work my first day with my twists and no one said anything bias more comments then I expected though, but I do see the point in the story I know we would like to keep the balance with our black side, but honestly there’s a time and place for everything and some places are not them.

PEACE!

That was just ignorant! Its a shame that people have to speak without thinking. And face it “we” not going anywhere, so “they” might as well get used to us. After 400 years you thought they would be.

I think that dreads or an afro could look nice. Natural hairstyles are very pretty, especially the kinky twists. It’s all in the way that you rock the hairstyle. And the author didn’t say that she didn’t like it - she said that it was inappropriate for work. As black women, we will have it hard POINT BLANK! They don’t like when we wear long straight weaves, so some of us switched it up by rocking afros/dreads and now they are complaining again! WE CAN’T WIN FOR LOOSING!

I don’t care what kind of hairstyle a person wears to work. Just don’t have it looking unkempt. Keep it clean, neat, dandruff free and smelling fresh.

I see as many busted weaves as I do natural hair. Hair is hair. But I know people will get more riled up about the fact that natural hair is being attacked. Whether it’s your own because you grew it or because you paid for it makes no difference to me. Just keep that shit tight in the workplace. There’s no excuse for coming to work looking f-d up, regardless of where you work.

Of course I think this is nonsense, as is black women’s general practice of modifying our natural hair (relaxers and weaves) because we have been socialized to do so for generations — this includes myself.

We, ourselves, are quick to call out one another out for “nappy hair,” so it is no surprise that white people have difficulty accepting our hair in its natural state. What is considered “acceptable” has always been defined by whites, and whether Glamour co-signs with this editor publicly or not, behind the scenes you should know that our hairs’ natural state will never be acceptable by many.

So if you wear your hair in braids or dreads or an afro, wear it proudly, DESPITE the fact that some people will not appreciate them because WE will never please everyone.

That’s so sad, unfortunately that’s the way the corporate world is. Did you guys know that your name can keep you from just getting an interview. I have a girlfriend who has the same qualifications as I and when I submit applications I always get plenty of interviews while it takes her forever just to get one, her name is Tanikka and my name is Julie, so sad. My supervisor that I am working with now has told me that she thought I was white when she received my resume. This is unacceptable.

That is just down right racist. I can’t believe she had the nerve to say that out in public. Wearing locs or wearing your hair natural as an African American is a tie to our hertiage. And how dare some women who I’m pretty is not black say what is and is not acceptable for our people. To add,there is NOTHING dreadful about locs!

@ Julie,

Yes, many black parents are handicapping their children with the names they give them. Is it wrong for people to judge based on a name? Of course, but why would you do that to your child knowing that THEY control the workplace, and that THEY will be biased against employing or even interviewing people with ghettofab names? I’m not talking about AFRICAN names like Ashanti and Aaliyah and Kwame. I’m talking about names like LEXXUS and DIAMONIQUE, etc…

@ Bigma and Sleep - I have to say that your comments are some of the most ignorant I’ve seen. Black people are not born with processed hair. As a professional woman who wears my hair in a natural style, I have made a conscious decision to never accept a job from a company that would ask me to change my hair. SLEEP- telling a black person that the hair that they were born with is unacceptable for the workplace IS RACIST- plain and simple. I think this is a legitimate social issue. If we don’t make waves now, we will never make progress later. The same way I would not expect a prospective employer to to ask me to lighten my skin, surgically narrow my nose or decrease the size of my lips to take a job - I would not expect them to ask me to straighten my hair. All of the above are my natural, God-given features. Nobody is born with a tattoo on their neck or their hair cut into a mohawk. But people are born with kinky, curly and yes, even nappy hair (and I’m proud of mine). Accept me based on my talent or don’t accept me at all.

Gone, Kay-Oh!

@ #35
That’s true. My mom gave all of her children European names and growing up, I saw how much easier it was to get jobs and apartments compared to some of my friends whose names were more ethnic. It’s not right-things should change.

What is crazy is some of the comments in this post by some black folks. WTF??

@#17-Comparing dreadlocks and cornrolls to mohawks is like comparing apples and oranges. I for one is growing dreadlocks and work at a very well known and reputable company (Progressive) and frankly carry myself in a very professional manner, i go work everyday, do overtime, and receive my deserved accommodations versus some Billy Bob and Susie Sue with the blond eyes and straight blond hair who DONT come to work and are not professional bc you know why? hairstyles are not reflective of a person’s credentials..no its not racism like you say that i agree, but its discrimination plain and simple.

Preach Kay-Oh!

Yea coporate america may not fully accept minorities and their culture but what that oreo cookie said was real ignorant. I work in for a very well established private wealth management company and let me tell you there a people w/ dreads, curly hair, indian women who are allowed to wear their nose pierced due their beliefs and the list can go on and on. I change my styles up all the time and my co-workers and clients all compliment me…even want me to put some braids in their head…but anyway that oreo cookie needs to take some business courses and learn that companies (especially the major players) are embracing diversity b/c their are a growing # of prominent minorities in the coporate world and to u cant grow to be a successful company w/out taking notice…America may be the super power but if ur conducting business internationally your prospects will rather do business w/ someone they can relate too…in any event i think that if u look, dress, and act professional, ur smart and have good work ethics, then you shouldnt have a problem cuz the bottom line is that u do ur job and generate revenue for your company.

U know what I take it back..its is RACIST and on the flip side like other previous posts, this is just like not hiring someone based on a name..and I happen to know a few white girls name Keisha and white guys named Tyrone so I guess from that they shouldnt havent been hired as well..

The person who made that comment about dreads and afros being political haristyles is the one who has GOT to go. Go somewhere and learn the difference btwn political and cultural. How ignorant. If african americans cannot sport their hair in it’s NATURAL essence (locks, braids, fros) wow. . . MLK’s dream really HAS been DEFERRED. Would she ever tell a hasidic Jewish male that he can’t wear his PAYOTH (long unkempt sidesburns)? NO. Another testament to the fact that corporate America is racist and will do whatever they can to turn us all into Uncle Tom house Negros. Step the hell off.

The *itch just stated what many simple-minded YT’s think. She’s just being honest. I hope her promising little career is over b/c of this.
Corporate America is a f*cking liar.

Mohawks are not natural. Kinky hair? Is natural. Are the people who agree with the woman who gave the presentation saying that they wouldn’t hire someone because of the way they were born? Should all natural redheads and blondes be required to dye their tresses black because bright hair is too “flashy and unprofessional”? Should dark skinned people bleach their skin because the corporate world isn’t accustomed to such “political” skin tones? People have to engage in dangerous practices and battle their DNA just for a job? Slapping lye on your head or pulling searing hot metal through your hair isn’t the same thing as simply putting on a suit or getting a haircut. What’s wrong with a short Afro or locks as long as the hairstyle is neat and clean?

I don’t know if anyone remebers when Susan Taylor of Essence magazine refused to speak at a business school because the adminstration banned the students from wearing braids,dredlocks,etc..I hope i’m remebering this right I think the school was a part of a major black university that was the shocking part. I understand that in corporate america you may have a higher profile but if your hair is neat it should not be a problem. You really should be judged on the content of your character and not your cornrows.

And to # 17. I hope you advertise better than you GRAMMER-tise. Your statement was. . .elementary at best (and you’re in GRAD School? WTF?) Learn how to properly form sentences and use your prepositional phrases correctly. THEN preach. . . and teach. Or whatever the hell you called yourself trying to do. You’re just as ignorant as the Glamour Girl. Poor thing. SAY IT LOUD. I’M BLACK and I’M PROUD. What Lauren Hill say? Hair like Europeans, fake nails done by Koreans? Is that you sleep. Step the hell off.

@37

Yes people will be biased against Diamonique but don’t think that Kwame is going to be anymore acceptable. If someone does not want a black person they don’t care that the kid’s name is Imani and not Tannikka. And if your name is Susan and you get in the door and they see your black 90% of the time you won’t get the job anyway if that’s how they feel.

I know these statements are very offensive but unfortunately this is how “White America” views “ethnic” hairstyles…I agree with the person who posted they are intimidated by such hairstyles. It is very sad but true…one of my closet friends has dreads and when she went on her job interview she wore a wig so they wouldn’t judge her based on her hair.

I’m an avid magazine reader…but Glamour never did it for me anyways. However, after reading these statements I will NOT even be picking Glamour up for a quick glance…

Brothers and sisters, if you are tired of the “man” telling you how to wear your hair to their workplace, here’s a real simple solution. Stop spending your money unnecessarily on expensive clothes, shoes, CDs, perfumes, rims, jewelry, handbags, plasma TVs, IPODS, Air Force Ones and all the other things you really can’t afford in the first place. Save and invest your money, start your own business, create your own stream of wealth, combine financial resources with like-minded people (just like the Koreans, Chinese, Indians, Pakistanis, etc), support your own people through employment opportunities and community endeavors that you create, and then you can wear your hair however you like without having to answer to someone else.

Why do people keep saying that it’s racist not to let us wear our natural hair as dreads? Last I check, corn rows and dreads were not natural. If I let my hair grow without getting it cut and doing anything to it, it will not suddenly braid itself. LOL. I have several female friends that don’t get relaxers and use pressing combs and all that, but their hair is still not braided or afro’d (made that up.) You can have natural hair and still have a professional looking hair style. It just takes more work. Trust that white hair gets “natural” without all the gel and straighten and whatever, too, and you don’t see that in the professional work place.

Personally, I don’t think she was being racist at all. To keep it real, A LOT of people with dreads do not take care of them. And no, as a lawyer, you should not be rocking dreads, afros, etc. In the justice system, appearance is EVERYTHING. Judges can tell you to get out of their courtroom because your tie is orange and they hate orange. Most of the black criminals that appear in courtrooms have those hair styles so why would you want to look like the clients you are prosecuting or defending? That just doesn’t make any sense to me.

And if you feel that you should have the same chance at getting a job based on your qualifications, then you need to give a job no reason to hire someone else. You need to look the same, act the same, talk the same, etc. That’s just how it is.

I’m so glad that I have good hair and don’t have to worry about perming, locing, twisting, relaxing or wearing an Afro.

#37 daREALwifey, That is so true. Like Alize’ and Aquanasia. I remember when I was in college and a girl in my class had mentioned that her daughter’s name was Starasia and the Professor said “I just love those names you people make up for your kids”. Dumb asses didn’t even pick up on the insult. But I just love the African names.

I happen to agree with the ad, Black people can go to the extreme with hair. Living in Atlanta, I see all types. I had braids for the summer and a job interview with a renowned company, I hated it. I would never do that again. I think that a”Afro, Twists not dread, are not professional. Corporate is always going to be white. We have to start accepting that we play a small part in this racist world. And as attorney, I would want you to represent me. Your look determines your character, believe it or not! Thats the real deal.

@ 24 I concur

Thanks for the link love, Angel! That post got a little heated. I personally think a person’s professionalism should count for more than hairstyle. If you rock a natural and go into an interview situation looking fly and well-put together, with your mind right and your demeanor workplace-ready, any employer who refuses to hire you on basis of your hair is straight-up wrong. As a proud afrobella, I couldn’t stand to work for a company that discriminates in that way. But hey — maybe that’s why I’m not climbing the corporate ladder and making the big bucks. I don’t know. Love to hear what the CL fam thinks on this issue.

Tell me Why, that is a ignorant comment, we dont have good hair, there is nothing such as “GOOD HAIR” I wouldnt hire you not because of your looks for what comes out of your mouth!! IGNORANT!

I love black people. I dont even know why people continue to go there with us. They know how we get.

Why is everybody talking about dreads, like it was the only hairstyle attacked. Can we talk about a plain afro then…Our hair is NATURALLY “afro-like”, so to say that we can’t wear an afro, is to attack our right to be just be us…The black people who said that they wouldn’t hire someone with natural hair are just as bigoted as racist whites. Sadly, they’ve internalized negative ideas about blackness and sold out to white norms. How truly sad!

#49 Lady Elle,

Leave #17 alone, it’s obvious in her post that she wants to be white. She’s gone, there’s no saving her. Don’t go into the light! Don’t go into the light! LMAO!

COCOLICIOUS.. YOU may not have good hair, but I do!!

And your comment about not hiring me is lame! .. you can say what you want. I’m proud to be naturally curly and not worry about that mess..

@53
Putting hot metal to your hair to STRAIGHTEN it IS NOT NATURAL. Washing , conditioning it, grooming it and trimming it is. Keep it real-with natural afro hair, there are only so many style you can do with it, depending on the length. Cornrows and dreds only keeps our hair from flying loose-it doesn’t alter the chemical make-up of it(like relaxers) nor does it change the structure of our hair fibers(like heat does).

You are just one of the many people of color that have fallen into line with the values of white corporate America. You’re thinking just like they want you to.

#63, Tellmewhy, you’re obviously trolling CL for some early morning kicks, not realizing you about to get your ASS kicked, verbally of course.

#50 redbeansandrice, That’s true. Unfortunately this is the point where we as black people have to work twice as hard to get to the next step once we get in that interview. Trust me, it’s much harder not to even get an interview. Sometimes we just have to WoW their asses when we get in. Mosts companies have to meet that quota, if you know what I mean.

Please somebody tell me what is good hair?

@52
I agree totally. But how many of us will do that?

THAT’S WHY WE NEED TO GET OUR OWN SH*T SO WE DON’T HAVE TO CONFORM TO WHAT “WHITE” AMERICA THINKS A PERSON SHOULD LOOK LIKE. YOU CAN LOOK LIKE JOHNNY DEEP AND STILL NOT KNOW YOUR JOB! i HATE PEOPLE WHO PUT THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ISSUE TO THE SIDE AND PICK ON THE BULLSHIT LIKE HAIRSTYLE…F*CK’EM

@67

To me good hair is healthy, not riddled with lice or scabies, clean without dandruff, not falling out because of illness, thick and full-could be any texture or color.

@julieisadime

I definitely feel what you are saying and I have been throough that corporate recruting process myself. And my name def sounds like a black person’s name but I had the credentials and kicked ass in the interview. I just don’t want people to be fooled thinking b/c your name isn’t Tamika and you have long straight hair that you get a pass. You still need to bring it to the 200th power people!

It is safe to say that me a magazine junkie, will NEVER buy glamour!

Professionalism

1. professional character, spirit, or methods.
2. the standing, practice, or methods of a professional, as distinguished from an amateur.

@67

YOU KNOW WHAT GOOD HAIR IS..STRAIGHT AND NOT KINKY..THE SAME HAIR THAT THESE AFRICAN AMERICAN FEMALES RUSH TO THE HAIR GALLERY TO GET WITH PERMS AND WHAT NOT LIKE THEY ARE ASHAMED OF WHO THEY ARE. I AM AFRICAN AMERICAN/’CUBANO AND I HAVE DEALT WITH THAT ALL MY LIFE AND NOW I HAVE LOCKS AND PEOPLE STILL SAY SH*T. WHAT PEOPLE HAVE TO REALIZE IS IT’S JUST HAIR!!! GOOD HAIR IS MODERN DAY SLAVERY TO ME…EVERYONE CHASES IT AND THINKS ITS SUPERIOR TO KINKY HAIR. EVERYONE WANTS THAT EXOTIC LOOK…BE YOURSELF AND DON’T LET NO ONE CHANGE YOU

Glamour Magazine is one of my mom and I’s favorite magazine’s to buy. I hope they fire this so-called “junior staffer/editor.” I will have to let my mother know about this. Thanks for posting this information.

@ #48, the business school is at Hampton University, where I attend, and they believe that it is not professional for business majors to wear their hair in dreadlocks and cornrows.

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 !

@ 147 & 148 - thanks!

And I can GUARANTEE you that the person who said these comments is Black. Only we would make such hateful comments.

@150

Right, but that’s why negroes feelings get hurt when articles like this come out. I have respect for black people that acknowledge the situation that black people are in, do what they have to do to achieve in this society and help their people. If they can’t help their own, then at least live right for yourself and those close to you. That’s all any man or woman can do or should be expected to do. What makes me laugh though are these, “change the game” people. You’re not changing a damn thing. If it was going to change, it would have changed already. To “change the game”, or change anything else, it has to start from the top, not the bottom. Negroes act like the people in power in preeminence just sit back and let things happen.

BamBam
That’s the whole point BamBam. When we are asked to compromise something so trivial as our hair texture when what should matter is our job performance and work ethics-then what else will we have to compromise in the future? Our eye color? Our skin color?

Choosing proper work attire is something entirely different compared to telling someone that a part of their PHYSICAL BODY is unacceptable. Would a person who’s legs had to be amputated be told by his boss that his wheelchair is a distraction and would have to use prostetic legs instead? Hell no! (big law suit there) Why should we be told which texture of hair is right for our jobs?

115. Sherlie:
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.

_____

Um Sherlie, I see what you’re trying to say but the last place I would direct anyone about getting a reality check is the Tyra Banks show. lol. There are just too many reasons why that statement alone is just wrong, wrong, wrong! lol. Tyra hasn’t been a “natural” beauty since she was in the 3rd grade. That girl stays in a lacefront and heavy makeup and she epitomizes the black-beauty-turned-out-by-the-white-man’s-beauty standards. I know she’s always chirping about “loving yourself” for who you are but I never quite got how someone who always talks about keeping it real looks and comes off so fake.

Being a black lawyer I can understand the reasoning behind this. Don’t get me wrong, the woman was acting straight-up foolish when she made these remarks, however, dreadlocks are really not professional (especially on a man.) It’s no different than a white man having long hair or a mohawk. I don’t believe that the woman was insinuating that we all have to have our hair faded or straightened, just that certain looks don’t exude a professional aura.

WAKE THE *UCK UP BLACK FOLKS….HOW MANY MAINSTREAM MAGS (NOT ESSENCE, EBONY OR JET) ACTUALLY FEATURE A BLACK WOMAN W/ NATURAL HAIR OR A NATURAL STYLE??? THIS *HIT AINT NOTHIN NEW!!! ESPECIALLY TO THOSE WHO READ VOGUE, ELLE, IN STYLE AND ALL THAT OTHER *HIT THAT ALMOST NEVER FEATURES A BLACK WOMAN ON THE COVER PERIOD!!!

& ANYBODY WHO DOES NOT SEE THE RACISM IN SOMEONE TRYING TO CHANGE THE NATURAL STATE OF BLACK FOLKS NEED A REALITY CHECK!!!! IGNANT *UCKS!!!

*frustrated now* Im Lmao though at the Hot&Gold hair weave ad above .

As a young black woman I have grow my locs for 13 years. Over the years, I have put a great deal of time and money into keeping them groomed and beautiful. I have never had a difficult time getting a job and have worked in diverse settings including corporate.

We are increasingly becoming a global world marketplace. Our differences should be valued and more and more we will be working along side people who look differently from us. If a black woman or man wants to wear their hair natural they should not be judged by anyone white or black for that. And it doesn’t necessarily have to hold us back. Both Oprah and Obama were once criticized for their names because they were different. I don’t think too many people would say Oprah’s name held her back! People have recommended that I change my name on my resume, I won’t do it and I won’t change my hair for a job. Especially nowadays when the person or company you are working for could be gone tomorrow. Be yourself and Be proud, there is a reason why we don’t all have straight hair.

I have locs, and I definetly have no plans on cutting them for a job. I was worried about it at first since I am in college and was worried about getting a job afterwards, but I’m not going to change myself to make someone else feel comfotable. It’s deeper than all that.

Furthermore, I was offered a job with Hewlett-Packard during my freshmen year of college WITH MY LOCS, and if anything they embraced the fact that I brought diversity to the atmosphere. Also, as I met with more black executives within the company, I noticed that natural hair was the norm, not the minority. So obviously anyone who has a permanent minset about the negativity of locs is close-minded and sheltered. Maybe they’ve never seen how good NEATLY KEPT locs look, or maybe they’ve never actually took a chance to observe a lot of people of African descent who have already climbed the corporate ladder… trust me you’ll find a lot of naps, kinks, locs, and ‘fros

Aggie Pride

I have a question for the people that advocate natural hair over “unnatural” hair. And this is really not to spark debate. I really just want some intelligent insight because this is a fascinating subject to me.

If every woman ceased wearing weaves, press-n-curls, relaxers or any other altering style, what would that accomplish for Black people as a whole and what statement would that make to the world (in your eyes)? And besides setting a tone of defiance against the “European beauty standard,” what more would we accomplish by going natural than staying where we are now (rocking a variety of styles)? In your opinion, would that help to reshape our mentality and make it different from how it’s been in the past? I guess I’m really asking if you think wearing natural hair in corporate America or elsewhere would be a catalyst of some sort or spark some type of movement?

@154

Very valid point. I guess I should clarify - I’m only stating what the reality of WHAT I FEEL the situation is. Therefore, it is just an opinion, as is yours. I did not and hope that my post did not imply that the way things are was right. Some of us simply choose different strategies for navigating our way and I don’t expect all to agree.

Please do what is right for you.

As for myself, I’ll sidestep all the pseudo-poseur-prostelytizing that’s sure to take place here today.

Without issuing a formal apology, and punishing the offender who works for them, Glamour will never again get my business either. I’ll spread the word as well. This is ridiculous, but we need to see what’s really going on in the minds of some folks regarding our Afrocentricity…This way, less illusions.

Thank you BamBam, very informative.

@ 54 what exactly is “good hair”? its comments like that that seem to separate us

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.

Basically, African Americans Intimidate Caucasians

As a African American, you should know that Caucasians are intimidated by your Favor, your Power, and your function in Society.

When you walk into the room it changes the entire atmosphere.

Wow, that was hard for me to read because it smack me in the face. I am an african american sister that sports an afro on a daily. I have been growing my hair natural for a year and I am usually very proud of my hair. I love the looks I get from it, good and bad because I feel like I made a personal choice that I knew not everyone would agree with. I hate to think that it would be something that could potentially hold me back. I guess I never really thought about it that way and honestly feel a little nervous about it. It’s so crazy that I have a job interview tomorrow. As a matter of fact, I just got the new right before checking the loop and reading that story. I guess I have to just take it for what it is and continue to PROUDLY ROCK MY FRO.

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 what was presented above, will be a lot easier for YOU (as a African American) to understand.

187.

The Most Intelligent Post I have read today is this one:
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
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”.”

* I didn’t have my laptop computer with me today, until NOW, So I wasn’t able to log in, thus the reposting of things I wrote earlier….

Some people act like white people have to accept them the way they are. To paraphrase what was said earlier you might THINK they like you, but they’re just tolerating you.

So all this talk about growing your fro’s, go right ahead. IT”S YOUR RIGHT. But don’t expect them to conform to YOUR standards. It ain’t your company.

So start your OWN shyt. Give lectures at black community centers for youth at risk on how to empower themselves so that they don’t have to “conform” and start their own businesses as well. I don’t think the main issue here is just about HAIR. That’s just a catalyst. It amazes me that what people don’t realize is that the SAME THING is being said here over and over. It’s just being put into different contexts. If you really look at some of the “differing” opinions, most of them are expounding on each other. In other words, they’re ALL valid points. Take the time and intelligence to put them TOGETHER. We’re all smart here, so why can’t we look at the “gray” shadings of this argument and realize there is a common thread here?

I hear you #224!

this has been an issue for awhile

how the fuck is an afro a political hairstyle? wtf is a political hairstyle anyway? i aint never heard of that

ppl dont wear afros and locs to make a statement, it is a style like any other, and i agree with whoever said do they think our hair just comes silky straight? and 36, they dont have the right to say what our hair should look like

yes presence is important, u should always keep yourself neat and clean, i could see mohawks being unacceptable and outrageous colors but come on, white folks just gettin outta hand, they need to learn about shit before they just try to say no to it and dont even know why

I agree with # 3 and # 17. Not really much more that I can say about this that I haven’t already said on the Stereohyped site.

I’ll say it again anyways…Rock a modest hairstyle until you get the job or are at a level where you can rock whatever the hell kind of hairstyle that you’d like. But until then, keep it MODEST. Pull that fro/dreads back into a ponytail if you want that corporate job. You don’t want anything that will draw too much attention to your looks. They just want you to work!!

yes 48(tasha) i do remember that, what a shame!

Good Afternoon Everyone:

I’m an 34 year old african american woman who wore locs for 4 years and unfortunately they prevented me from moving forward in corporate america. Unfortunately until you get your feet planted in your dream job, you must play by the corporate rules. Credentials are not enough when it comes to African Americans working in corporate america. Unless you’re an entertainner and or artist and are truly getting paid well for your craft, we must play it safe. It’s easy to wnt to emulate a lot of beautiful hairstyles we see on television and or the movies but those people are in entertainment so they can afford to have red/orange and blue hair. They can have tatoos all over thier body but if we want to succeed in corporate america we can’t. We have to make it first then be stylish. Good luck to everyone in thier endeavors and God Bless!!!!!

@ BILL

That’s an interesting statement. But given the latest events, Michael Richards, Don Imus and now this Glamour editor, do you think the opposite might true? That we DON’T intimidate them as much as we think. After all, that was pretty bold of her, no?

Wonder why that is? It almost seems like we’re going back in time. I remember how it was growing up in the 70’s late 60’s.

Perhaps it has something to do with the current events of late ( the David Banner, no snitch, bitches ho’s, rap lyrics and he n-word issues) that have been getting media attention and they sense the divisions among us. Nothing like the ol’ divide and conquer, I always say.

Just a thought.

bambam said:
@ BILL

That’s an interesting statement. But given the latest events, Michael Richards, Don Imus and now this Glamour editor, do you think the opposite might true? That we DON’T intimidate them as much as we think. After all, that was pretty bold of her, no?

Bill Said:

My brother Bam.
The reason why I feel Caucasians are intimidated by African Americans is because they feel they have the liberty to make statements like Micheal Richards, Don Imus and MANY OTHERS make on a daily basis.

Don’t think that this just of “water cooler” talk is recent.

We, African Americans are just NOW being privy to their conversations because we’re in the “information age” .

With the advent of the Internet, Satellite Radio, Cable TV, Cell Phones, I pod’s, etc, etc, we now have more information at our fingertips

We can now goggle a person’s name and be able to access every hateful speech that person has ever uttered.

Don’t feel for a minute that Caucasians are only now feeling comfortable enough to talk freely about how they REALLY feel about us.

They have been talking freely all along.

WE just didn’t know it

Peace

Correction:
Don’t think that this particular “water cooler” talk is ONLY recent.

I had a cousin who went to an interview at Target. It was a thing where, they were practically hiring people on the spot; that’s how bad it was.

He got turned away at the door.

Coincidentally, at the time he had long dreadlocks. Yes, a lot of companies are still VERY discriminatory towards ‘fros, locks, twists, ESPECIALLY cornrows, etc. I once heard of a school that outlawed cornrows as quote-unquote ‘gang affiliated’. Political hair?! Goddam, can’t a black person choose to not try to look like a gotdam european and STILL get a job.

The comments here are interesting, this whole thing is a game you can play by the rules of the whites or make your own rules. Until black people unite and start owning successful business then we will continue to be in this position.

How the hell in Gods name is being NATURAL offensive to people.
Majority of black people come staright from the womb with a damn AFRO!
How in Gods name is that wrong!!!!
Is it better to fry your brains with a damn relaxer to please IGNORANT people!
They got me vexin being time!!!!Ggggrrrr!

I mean Big time.
IGNORANTS!!!!

First off, I’m not buying Glamour anymore.
Second, since when did hairstyles become political? I can understand in the 60’s or 70’s, but this is the 21st century. It’s hard to believe that this Glamour editor hasn’t seen a black hair magazine while walking down the magazine aisle at Walgreens or Wal-Mart.

Also, having good hair is not the solution nor is it any more accepted. I wear my hair down and curly all the time, and still earn some crazy looks from people. No matter how neat and tame I keep it.

I think they are equating certain hairstyles as “political” because they see some locs, braids, and fro’s as radically different styles that are out of the norm. This is intimidating to some Caucasians because they feel that the person may be trying to make a statement with their hair like, “I’m Black & I’m Proud!” In their workplace they don’t have time to figure out if you are a ticking time-bomb. Sounds silly, but true.

I am just hearing this as well. She should be fired for being a backwards ass. Thinking african-american women have to reform to the so called acceptable “do”.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=3GVTGNcGNeY

To #3, Your statement is inaccurate and is part of the problem.
I am a corporate attorney and in addition to being a black woman, with locs, in a conservative field, I also litigate commercial controversies in trial and appellate courts throughout the country.

I had locs when I went through law school, when I interviewed, and when I was aggressively recruited to my current position. I have found that people respect a person who respects himself or herself.

I never made apologies for my locs. They are middle of my back length, I wear them in a bun some days, other days I wear them wavy. No one has ever ASKED me to make an apology for them. My field is dominated by caucasian men who come from old oil money.

They hired me because I am GOOD at what I do.

Black people spend so much time trying to fit what they think white people want them to look like, sound like, etc. that they don’t have time to master their fields.

Master your field and learn self love. If you let people defne something as basic as your hair–something that grows naturally from your body–you are opening yourself up to being a puppet forever.

By the way–I not only wear locs with my suits–but I look damn good doing it.

As for the junior editor at “glamour” until she has a title and career path that exceeds mine–she is not qualified to give me career advice.

Nefertari

I THINK THAT CERTAIN STYLES MAKE POLITICAL STATEMENTS RATHER WE WANT THEM TO OR NOT. CERTAIN COMPANIES REPRESENT A CERTAIN DEMOGRAPHIC AND IF YOUR APPEARANCE DOES NOT APPEAL TO THE DEMOGRAPHIC OR THE ENVIRONMENT, IN FEAR OF LOSING THEIR DEMOGRAPHIC, THEY WILL NOT HIRE YOU. I ONCE WORKED FOR THIS INVENTORY SERVICE, THAT PROVIDES INVENTORY FOR WALMART. WE WERE TOLD THAT WAL-MART HAS VERY CONSERVATIVE CUSTOMERS, AND WE ARE NOT ALLOWED TO SHOW BODY PIERCINGS, TATTOOS, OR WEAR CERTAIN TYPES OF CLOTHING OR HAIRSTYLES.

WHEN I AM AT WORK OR IN ANOTHER PROFESSIONAL ENVIRONMENT, I COVER MY TATTOOS WITH MAKEUP, OR WITH CLOTHING. I NOW REGRET GETTING TATTOOS, BECAUSE TATTOOS ORIGINALLY REPRESENTED REBELLION AND THE BIBLE ALSO SPEAKS ABOUT CARVED IMAGES ON THE FLESH.

IF ANYONE IS DISPLEASED WITH A COMPANIES POLICY, DO NOT WORK FOR THAT COMPANY.

#246 you are VERY lucky & good for you!!! Glad you shared your experience, but that was NOT what my friends & I experienced while in Law School.

We can’t have anything of our own. We had to create a culture from scratch because the whites stripped it from us, we can’t name our kids what we want to though other ethnic groups maintain cultural names and we can’t wear our natural hair to work because someone deems it unacceptable to be who you are. To all the Madam CJ Walkers in here that is co-signing and perpetuating the bs that is noted by the chick from Glamor…you continue to hold us back. And before I get attacked, know that Madam CJ did exactly what “Sleep” and “BigMa” is doing…Advocating for changing from who we are to what we think “they” will accept.People sing her praises and i commend her for being a hustler, But the bottom line is no matter how much relaxer, straighten combs and flat iron and bleaching cream and whatever else crap that was created to help us “conform”, you are still a N*gga to them.

They will always find a way to prejudge us and discriminate against us. Corporate America feels that people who wear their hair natural are more likely to check their asses when they step out of line. Thats why they dont want people who wear natural hair working for them. A young man above said he went to HR and thats what they don’t want. Natural hair does come across as a political statement because the minds of white America has not changed. They are just less overt in their racism. So natural hair triggers the same response in them it did during the civil rights movement. If they changed their minds about how they view us as a people they wouldn’t care how we wear our hair.

Whats interesting is that corporate america doesn’t care when they market alcohol and cigarettes and unhealthy food to people who wear their hair natural because they know who spends the money in this country…but they let a well educated and qualified person of color with an afro slip by. They don’t deserve you.

I shake my head at those who agree with the Glamor chick because you will help her bs further along. I wear my hair natural and I work with mostly blacks in the non-profit sector and i get the same mess that is being posted here from black people. Why don’t you straighten your hair? Is what they ask and I ask them why do you straighten yours? Whats crazy is they dont even know why. But I know my hair is natural because this is who I am.
Who are you? And will you continue to let someone else define you?

I must say that for the first time in a long while I have actually enjoyed reading most of the comments within this topic forum. Its refreshing to finally be able to have an actual exchange of dialogue without all the irrelevant drama.Its really just everyone stating their own opinion and exchanging ideas. COOL!

You control the dynamics of how things are run and what others can get away with when you STOP supporting / buying the product. If enough people STOP purchasing Glamour magazine - for even a month or two - it would hurt the bottom line, their pockets! I agree with the other lawyers who aren’t supporting Glamour mag. BOYCOTT until something is changed and the woman has to take accountability for her actions. If she was just a ‘junior staffer’ then why was she allowed to speak law firm.

*speak at a law firm. [My bad.]

I just decided to go natural myself, and this is the main reason why I am hesitant to go on job interviews. What does my hairstyle have to do with anything? As long as I do my job and come to work on tine then there shouldn’t be a problem. I never liked Glamor magazine, but not for any particular reason. Since they are not continuing to print Jane magazine anymore, they wanted to continue my subscription for the rest of the year with Glamor. I stopped that real quick.

@185 you are very IGNORANT to make the comments like you are making. i see you have bought into the “good hair, bad hair” mentality. and for the record, i dont mind at all having what YOU would consider “bad hair”. its beautiful to me and thats all that really matters in the end.

Like India Arie said “I am not my hair. I am not this skin. I am the soul that lives within.”

The statement does not surprise nor shock me, it’s how people feel and that’s unfortunate.

@161: It would spark a stop wasting your damn time and money and hating yourself movement.

I wear dreadlocks. I work in a law office and none of my collegues have any issues a about it. My hairstyle has not caused me any setbacks in the corporate world.

I’m a white collar professional who rocks a natural..and honestly, if it wasn’t for the media play I wouldn’t have known about this issue.

Neither myself nor any of my girlfriends has read Glamour in about 10 years…and it looks like we haven’t been missing anything.

That girl is just mad that her hairstylist can’t get her to look as beautiful as those strong Black, educated QUEENS.

Being in the military, I experience some of this same rigamaroo when it comes to what a professional hairstyle should look like.

Just another way folk think they can hold us down…

I am astounded by some of the comments posted. It is offensive that one is not hired for skill but by lack of a certain hairstyle. If one choses to wear their hair natural, the way God created them, by all means go for it. One should not be subjected to CHEMICALLY altering their hair in order to get a job. This is 2007. I should not, nor will not, conform to a standard of beauty outside of myself. To those that say they will not hire based on a hairstyle, shame on you. You are missing out on excellent employees.

@249

You hit the nail right on the head! Nice comment!

Hair should not be an automatic determing factor on rather a person is qualified for the job or not. As long as a person keeps their hair clean, neat and orderly, that should suffice. We were not all born with “straight” hair. There are even white people I know who have kinky hair, and they are corporate execs!!! Just goes to show we still live in a racist, biased world. If some one doesnt want to hire me because they dont like my hairstyle, I dont want to work for them anyway.

What’s scary about this post is the comments coming from some of the backwards as NEGROS who read this site. How can you ever expect a society to progress and truely be multicultral if you continue to ascribe to a standard that states that white people define what is attractive and proffesional. Imagine if white people had to live in a world where they had to chemically burn out their hair, sew in fake hair, where wigs, sit in the haird dresser for hours getting their hair set and curled once a week or put a metal comd over an open flame to tame their tresses on a regular basis just to fit in?

You know what, she’s right, these are politcal styles. These styles are saying Fuck YOU and your FUCKIN standards of beauty. I’m not going to force myself to try to look like you to earn a fucking living. The way god made me is just fine.

I appluad my sisters who refuse to conform. Proffesional hair is hair that is neat, clean and well maintained. There is nothing unkempt about braids, locs or afros. It is all about how you choose to style and maintain them. I see white woman going to work everyday with their hair looking a hot mess. But is straight, therefore it’s okay. Well, I’m over that bullshit. I’m sick of seeing black woman walking around with European silky hair. If that’s your style that’s fine, everyone has their own prefence when it come to their individual look. But it’s ridiculous that we are EXPECTED to hide and wear a mask in order to be accepted by society. I think some white poeple look at us in weaves and wigs and laugh on the inside.

And BTW, some people where locs for religous puposes - rastfarians.

@249…..APPLAUSE!!

I’m also laughing at people’s ignorance. So the same company that is so racists not to hire you because you wear your hair natural is going to be progressive enough to further your career when you straighten your hair? NEWFLASH - your still black.

I recommend you try to find an actually progressive company with progressive leadership that is smart enough to know that talent comes before anything. This is why I don’t work in corporate America. One big rat race with black people “running in place”, think white people somehow forgot that they are infact black. We’ve been straitening our hair for how many generations now? And that has gotten us where? Exactly. I never heard of any battle that was one by blending in. Wake up my people!

I have a couple things to say myself. I think that it is wrong for people to go by names, hairstyles, and race to qualify for a job, that is not right at all. I have a ethnic name and I’m currently attending school for Accountancy, so I know that I definitly will be working in a conservative environment and I’ll have to look good on that interview to get my dream job (CPA). I’m so proud of everyone that is keeping thier natural hair and locks despite working in a coporate enivornment. Those attitudes give others inspiration to do them. However I think some of you are downing people who do get relaxers, wigs and etc and that too is wrong, yall are basically doing the same thing. I have a subscription to Glamour and never have I been unhappy with the magazine but I’m writting a letter to them right after I get off of here with my concerns about this situation. I hope this makes sense because my mind was racing when I wrote this!!

@AHSATAR - good luck finishing school and preparing for your interviews. If you haven’t already read the commet from #117 he/she posted some guides that are good to follow for the corporate/business world. It has nothing about the hair PC crap that the post is about- it talks about looking presentable and confident. Investing in a nice suit and wearing it in all your interviews because none of your interviewers will know, is a good advice.

See this is the stuff that makes corporate america dictate what is Acceptable for an ” African American” first of all I have wavy hear translated to European american style a perm and ur telling me its acceptable, and you can walk around with wet hair… but not me. If I have a business suit, look presentable-dress slacks, shirt, tie….then what?. Okay first u tell me how to dress, then you tell me how to act and think, and now my “hair”. Who made you the judge, oh this is coming from people who justified slavery by using Christianity. I might lose my job in corporate america for this but … why don’t you, put away those stirrups, high water pants, and that mulluck?? the 70’s ended and by the way just because u have a suit jacket with high water pants and socks with Christmas trees, that’s professional. My observations on conservative corporate america, always quick to juge, but not look in the mirror…..kick rocks and dueces

187 hate to say this but ” European-Americans, whites…whatever.. are now the minority….do your work before u speak times are changing thats why most are bilingual in spanish & english is no longer the main language…and as far as helping others…guess i cant count on u…since u have conformed to their ideal AND they like that…. the happy little sambo…”do ur dance.” smile….. didn’t they steal this land from the indians…. assimilation is SELLING OUT ur denying ur own race, ethnicity, identity for $$…even if u in a 2008 Benz ur still a “NIGGA” to them….so much for intellegence…

You all complain and scream “this is not fair” but you fail to realize the truth– This is fucking America. White people “dominate” this fucked up state- they run things by their standard or “code” as one white guy put it before… If the white man says you cant wear dreads and cornrows to a job interview–are you still going to do it just to prove that “I’m black and I can have any hair style I want..my hairstyle doesn’t reflect who I am”…Yeah ..good luck…See u at McDonalds…

as a man i want to say a few things even though the women have it locked on here…

my concern, which will be economically, is that if youre going to stitch in a few tracks or get just for me for your girls in your family or even some african pride for yourself lol… why is NONE of these hair products in the control of the people who use them… especially here in miami I DONT KNOW ONE HAIR SUPPLY STORE owner who is black… is it like that everywhere else… anyone of us involved in distribution of these products… and even if the black hair care products come from the US are distributed here…why buy them at these hair salon stores when you can go to walmart or target..WHERE YOU CAN COMPLAIN when things arent right… i have no problem with the upgrade but if youre going to consume look at where your money can be helpful and influence the type of PEOPLE that the place will hire… Walmart already shops global for products in fact there are a few products already in their stores here in miami… so why cant you shop there buy stock in their company as well and can determine things in the company…you cant do that when the middle eastern or asian man is looking at your boongey the same time hes telling… no refunds no exchanges…

as a matter of appearance for a job… all of that cannot beat the fact that if you are as prepared for the interview by investigating the company beforehand you WILL have a better chance of getting hired. dont tell me otherwise because i have a keloid on my ear and beat out alot of people for the gig im working at now… the information about recent changes in the company and the current market of food distribution and where the company stood in comparison to others was very helpful.. and just to put the icing on the cake…the guy that hired me….his nickname is general lee…not the car as in the redneck civil war general.

i love my black women you are the key to turnaround any adversity to our daily struggles being black in america

While on Oprah, the then aspiring mayor of Newark said that he often talked to the kids, advising them on how to conduct themselves blah blah blah and threw in a telling bit about keeping their hair neat and not nappy. I was disapointed in both him and O. Then i chuckled as i thought about Oprah going natural-i think she’d probably have a heart attack at the thought.

so I guess sittin in a chair with chemicals burning your damn scalp off to straighten your hair is professional?? We have to get over this image thing with women. The editor of glamour magazine should watch “school daze” by spike lee. The scene called ‘good or bad hair’!!!

@ BILL

Point well taken, Professor! Always good to hear your take.

Thanks for the response.

@ DENISE

THANKS FOR THE GREAT POST.

I find it interesting that some people throw the “ignorant’ around so loosely. ESPECIALLY in terms of working in a corporate environment.

First off, don’t get the issues confused. This is NOT about FORCED CONFORMITY. Nobody is FORCING you to work for a large corporation. Stay home and start your own shyt and do you. It’s simply about the rules of corporate America and how you navigate within the structure, SHOULD YOU CHOOSE TO.

THERE IS A CORPORATE TEMPLATE AND SOME LEVEL OF CONFORMITY IS INVOLVED. THAT’S JUST A FACT OF LIFE.

SOME companies are more relaxed than others. SOME industries are more relaxed than OTHERS. Do your homework and bone up on the companies you CHOOSE to interview for.
SOME people have had the luxury to dress how they want. But the REALITY is the further up you go you are scrutinized on your leadership skills, work record, ethics, values, and in some cases, yes, if you have that “look” or are you “VP material”.

Do you think that if you’re a a high level executive at BET (I haven’t worked here so this is pure assumption for the sake of making an example) and at your monthly board meeting all members wear a power suit (this includes the ladies) and you walk in wearing a party shirt with slacks and orange Stacy Adams shoes that you won’t be scrutinized?

I merely use this example that in every work environment thee is some level of conformity, whether your wearing the red shirt with the white circle at Target or the shirt and tie on trading floor.

more typos….

AND ONE MORE THING, SOME LESSER SKILLED PEOPLE, BLACK AND WHITE, ARE PROMOTED JUST FOR THEIR LOOKS ALONE. I’M SURE A LOT OF US HAVE SEEN THAT ONE.

Is it right? No. Is it real? Yes.

JUST DEPENDS ON WHAT TYPE OF COMPANY YOU GOT YOURSELF INVOLVED IN.

And by all means if you feel discriminated against because of how you look, go to HR, and if you need to, lawyer up. Don’t wait for a group to chime in, but if there are others, and most likely there are, the more the merrier.

Is it right? No. Is it real? Yes.

@Bambam..dont forget ass-kissing, the ass kissers usually make the promotions before the people who actually know the environment. I see it all around me, they fuck it up, yet you get called in to fix it. ok-I’m done, read an email from an ass-kisser and just got a little heated.

That woman is a fucking BITCH. “political”??? what is political about loving your natural hair and not trying to change it so that white people will accept it and so that you’ll look more white looking? what is so political about accepting the hair texture you have and working with it? i never bought that magazine and don’t plan on it either. this is insane. she is insane.

@NOTEATINGHERE

Let us not forget the almighty brown-nosers, finger-pointers and overall project saboteurs. Corporate’s a bitch, that’s why I now work for a magazine in a creative capacity.

@269

Lol, you can always count on one negro to say something negative about something where no negativity was involved. What, you mad that the brother complimented me? “I’m a critic too….I’m smart…someone please pay me attention….”. Lol. Whites have always been the minority on planet earth. Rulership doesn’t come with numbers; it comes by the will of the Most High (Dan 4:17). Now you will certainly be too simple to understand that because if you did, you would never have made such an asinine statement in the first place. There is not one statistic that you can conjure up that will tell you that the status of blacks and hispanics have changed in any way percentage-wise economically. Not one. If there are more blacks and hispanics in the workforce, it is because there are more blacks and hispanics in America. Numbers do not denote power. You can trace the ascendance of the caucasian man in his different empires and you will see that his armies were always outnumbered. They won because of their strict military discipline, their advanced weaponry, and most importantly because the Lord stipulated that it was time for them to rise. They rule by violence and by the sword. That’s the blessing that the Lord gave to Esau (Gen 27:38-40, Ezek 35:5-7). Honestly, that’s a cowardly mindset to think that because you outnumber someone, you are therefore stronger.

Hello…McFly…anybody home? Spanish is an even more “European” language than English is, lmao. What are you talking about? You “We Takin’ Over America” negroes are good for nothing but a good laugh when you talk your nonsense. Why would you even want this land? Like you said, it was stolen from the Native Americans and built off the backs of slaves. This is a defiled land. The people in it worship money and have a whorish mentality. That’s why America is called the “Great Harlot” in Revelation 17:1-6. Honestly, what you said was so scatterbrained that I’m not even quite sure what your point is.

17 I agree with you to a point…Tattoos are a choice. Locs, puffs and braids are our natural hair and we have a right to wear it. I think i’ts appalling that in 2007 we still have to defend our genetic makeup. We were stripped of so much do we HAVE to confom to long silky hair just to make Them feel comfortable…discuss

I’m studying law as well, so I really felt the need to comment on this one! I have locks and my locks happen to be a commitment to God-in addition to the fact they look really good on me. Only God can judge me and only he can evaluate my performance. I understand that there are a number of people who wear their hair more the ethnic than others and ppl tend to perceive it as being dirty. Plus a big firm does have a reputation to uphold. My only suggestion is to keep it professional and neat. You can still wear diverse hair without it being a problem. A female (I use that term loosely) at my job who is not a supervisor, asked me to consider perming my hair and i told her to consider minding her business!!!!

I hope those black lawyers do stick to not buying glamour. Was the junior staffer who made those comments black?

Got a good look at the afrobella site’s response and I hit it up like twice a month at the least myself and I am feeling the response….I couldn’t have responded better. That’s exactly right that people who wear fros high or low or curly or natural or wear twists, braids, plaits and w/e else do it for political reasons….I damn sure don’t and to think the only way to get accepted or a professional job is to straighten your is so sad and I hope that staffer is highly shamed of herself for the statement she made…..yeah real good look to corporate America -_-.

PREEEEEAAAAAAAACHHH NEFERTARI!!!!!!!

I wore long braids for years and got two corporate jobs wearing them. I have spent the majority of my career working for black companies as has my also locked homegirl. Because we’re good at what we do and entertainment is more forgiving, I don’t think it has been a problem. But it is true that the top echelon of our company is more conservative in appearance.
What’s interesting is that locks have now become associated with a criminal element becuase of the southern brothers who aren’t hardly political that sport them. I was more worried about being percieved as being political, now you have to worry about seeming criminal, which is funny to me.
I locked because I thought it was crazy to spend $400 on fake hair and braiding every six weeks when I had a perfectly fine head of thick hair. As I got older I wanted to be more authentic and that seemed ridiculous to me. Plus locks are much cheaper to maintain.
I work with young black people who lock, perm, wear naturals, have curly hair and keep it cut low. It’s wonderful to be in a place where those choices are barely even thought of.
Interestingly enough when I went to a Wharton business school conference for black students, many of them were locked and natural. I thought that was a great sign for the future. Unless corporate domination is your goal, my advice is not to conform because if you do, you will more likely be some place you aren’t happy. There was a great article a whiel back about why black people do not remain in big corporate law firms. I guess this is one of the reasons why.

It is ridiculous how people allow themselves to get caught up in the hype. I work in a VERY corporate enviornment (private banking) and I sport long locs to my buttocks. I keep them clean, and neat. The hairstyle for me is affordable, stylish, and professional. Also, I am the only natural sister in the whole damn place, and probably in the city who works for these people (Las Vegas, go figure). I didn’t compromise, I would never compromise as it is a personal preference. It is about presentation, and how you put the package together. Yes this is my culture, and I don’t have to do anything to assimilate, because my credentials speak for themselves. I think that if anyone has a problem with my appearance they might want to check themselves. As black women we make up a large percentage of magazine buyers, so where do we draw the line? Do we allow people to belittle us, and make us feel less than because we wont assimilate to what they think is right? Do we change ourselves drastically, and spend thousands of dollars on beauty and haircare, when we can keep ourselves up nice and neatly for a fraction of the cost? I for one will write glamour because I am sick of them. They spark controversy just by what they call, “allowing a black or near black face on their covers.” Its bull and we all know it!

I’m gonna keep on rocking my luscious locs, and keep loving the skin I’m in, nobody is going to bring me down….NEXT!

Mainstream media has the wrong preception about what the norm is for different racial groups. African Americans come in all shapes, sizes, and colors and our hair texture is no different, It is not normal for African American to have bone straight hair because our natural texture is curly with a cotton feel after we wash and moisterize. The afro or something close to it is our norm, and to say that our natural grain is not acceptable in the coroporate world is an insult to our existence. The media has created their idea of what the norm for beauty is, and many African Americans have bought into that idea. I know that my hair is beautiful in its natural state, and I have no problem with flauting what I have be blessed with. The media needs to put more models in magazines that wear their natural grain with all of their styles like braids, plaits, and dreads so that people dont forget that the natural sisters and brothers are representing normal African beauty. I love my hair, so corporate better get nappy. Would you rather sleep on cotton or cat hair.

Aww Lawd, I don’t want to sleep on no cat hair! Well as long as it doesnt make me itch!

It’s time for us to boycott these industies that feel we should disappear. Never buy another Gamour Magazine againe.

I have already sent a letter to Glamour because I have been a dedicated reader for over 6 years.

I will never buy another Glamour magazine again. This ‘dread’ sister has better things to spend her money on.

Dread? thats stupid because people could have dreads for a religious reason. and your not alloud to descriminate against peoples religions.

Unfortunately, I’m a subscriber of Glamour magazine. I have great natural hair and I hold a high financial position in a prestige Soho firm. I believe that for an up-to-date magazine such has Glamour that remains on of the top editorial on the market, they sure know how to hire ignorant individuals. To think that I am trying to make a political statement my keeping my hair natural and not trying to embrace what God gave me is a very bad judgment on her part. To think that she is suppose to be knowledgeable on the subject of style and self- worth and the embracement of a woman’s beauty. This editor needs to be educated. She needs to let her fellow white friends that it is not okay for whit women to come in to the work place with wet hair and that not every hair color is the right color.

america is soooooo weird. in the uk people are amazed by black hair and always encourage black people to wear an afro or to let them touch their dreads lol.
i do agree that a HUGE afro is not practical at some jobs.

and i think most black people perm or weave there hair because its just easier to handle like me but i rock everything except dread. i just dont like them

[...] Jezebel Gold-Plated Witch on Wheels AfroBella ConcreteLoop [...]

Its funny how rockin a fro is considered a politcal statement we were born with this hair this is our hair and yet to white america its has to be political maybe we just dont want to have to spend countless amounts of money and time on our hair maybe we just want to be who we really are.Lets face it the closest thing to white to them (and sadly to many blacks) is the closest thing that is right. Weve been so conditioned to hate ourselves and i am no different and thas a conditioning that i think all black people struggle with at some point in thier lives. Either your not black enough or your to black either your not light enough or your not dark enough. Thas why we need to start staying true to ourselves. Its a damn shame u got so many blacks living in the ghetto with barely enough food to eat but u see them on the road driving a damn cadillac with 20 inch rims on it. We got girls who barely have enough money to feed thier own children but wanna spend $300 on a new hair weave. Im saying by us conforming to a white standard of beauty were only contributing to it. That dont mean u shouldnt get your hair pressed im saying be true to you and lets be true to our people and open up our minds how can we expect ignorant people like that lady to see the beauty in black if we dont. But then agian who am i to talk. All i know this lady is ignorant wearing a fro aint always political i know there are times where i just dont feel like spending all day getting my hair done. But because white people are so conditioned aswell i mean look at all the black magazines thier all black women with white hair look at all the famous black women who are considered beautiful halle berry light skinned beyonce light skinned with blonde hair.ELook at music vidoes king magazine eseence magazine its all black women with white hair .We as black people need to also look at ourselves and see the beauty within us as a people regardless how short your hair our how light your skin is we first before white america need to start widening the definition of beauty.

[...] has really been messing up lately. Last month, you all had that little slip up with your racist editor who referred to twists and dreads as “political hairstyles” and claimed that they [...]

Hello,

I read your post about a Glamour editor’s comments on hairstyles for work, and I’d like to share with you our thoughts. First, we regret the comments were made. The employee, a junior staffer, not a beauty editor, spoke to a small group of lawyers at a private luncheon without her supervisor’s knowledge or approval, and her comment — that Afros are not work appropriate — does not represent Glamour’s point of view.

Secondly, immediately upon learning of it, we sought to rectify the situation. The editor has been dealt with in a very serious manner, and the entire staff has been reminded of the magazine’s policies and procedures for making public appearances.

Glamour is proud of its diverse readership and celebrates the beauty of ALL women. We have responded directly and openly with readers to assure them of this fact. We have also apologized to the law firm, and we extend the same apology to you.

If you know others who were offended by this incident, To ask you to please pass along this letter. So they, too, know how sorry we are.

Sincerely,
Cindi Leive
Editor-in-Chief, Glamour

I will never buy another copy of Glamour magazine ever again, and I’ll tell my friends to do the same.

[...] can read more here This entry was posted on Wednesday, August 29th, 2007 at 7:35 am and is filed under glamour [...]

[...] readers wrote numerous letters to the editor and sent e-mails, voicing their opinions and concerns. The following are statements from readers Leive included in her [...]

I’d like to put it out there that, as a white male, I really couldn’t care what hair style someone is wearing *regardless* of their race. Also, I truly don’t believe that the elitist woman who decided present her opinion as law represents the majority of we white people. I’m 17, and I think my opinion reflects those of my peers. So- as time progresses, I think we’re seeing more open-minded, less physically-judgmental youth, and hopefully this problem won’t exist in the future.

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