How am I mixing arguments? I've not made any comments implying that they want anyone to "act white". If a woman's hair is not permed what styling options does she have besides braiding, afro, cornrows or dreads? Again my question is why is it that wearing one's hair in these styles considered unprofessional?? Since when is it that afros, cornrows or braids are considered a woman's style. You may not have seen depictions of west indian slaves with dreads but I have. But that is neither here or there because Jesus is depicited as a white man. For centuries many have believed that our strength and our essence comes from our hair. This is why Rasta's dread.
I'm not saying that students enrolled need to make a cultural statement, however for some (including myself) their hair is part of their identity and their spirituality. Would you conform if someone told you that were you not allowed to pray to the God you believe in? Somewhere someone needs to take a stand. If my blackness makes some uncomfortable then that would not be the company for me. As a professional, does my afro make me some how unprofessional? In addition it is against the law under Title VII act of 1964 to discriminate against anyone based on race, color, gender, national orgin, sex or religion. Any company with a policy banning these specified hair styles are open to litigation because this rule will largely impact Blacks.
Please see the following excerpt from Wikipedia:
"Dreadlocks, sometimes called simply dreads or locks, are matted ropes of hair which will form by themselves if the hair is allowed to grow naturally without the use of brushes, combs, razors or scissors for a long period of time.
See also an excerpt from the Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
Dreadlocks are a universal phenomenon and through the ages, people of various cultures have worn dreadlocks. It can be said that what are known today as "dreadlocks" are one of the oldest and most universal hairstyles known.
Historical figures who wore dreadlocks include Samson, John the Baptist and King Tut. Like Samson, some Rastafarians consider hair as their strength and weakness will follow if cut. Others believe dreadlocks symbolize the mane from the biblical story of the Lion of Judah, which also is one of the titles bestowed upon all Ethiopian kings"
And also the King James Bible
"They shall not make baldness upon their head, neither shall they shave off the corner of their beard, nor make any cuttings in their flesh." -- Leviticus 21:5."
I have a number of sources that you can refer to about Black Hair, I will be more than happy to share them with you.
Quote:
Originally posted by DoggyStyle82
Bajan Delta:
I think that you are mixing arguments here.
The goal of Hamptons business school is to groom, direct, and create students who will become professionals at America's leading companies. Students should not be enrolled in such a program if they are there to make a political, cultural, or social statement with their hair or style of dress. I don't believe that the school is forcing any woman to wear a perm or dress or "act white" in any way.
As a salesperson, none of my white male co-workers could wear a mustache. It is seen as unprofessional. I on the other hand wore one (most Black men have them so it does not appear "unprofessional" on us.
Hampton's Business School is interested in the success of its graduates, not whether they can make "statements" and successful. They recognize that we have enough against us, why volunteer more ammunition for people to be discriminatory. It is true that appearence makes up more than 50% of the first impession.
The business of the Business School is "business", social activists are for liberal arts.
I have asked this before, can someone please show me a picture of a Native West African tribesman (Bantu) with braided or dread-locked hair. I have seen East African Cultures such as the Masai, but they are a very effeminate culture (although their warrir prowess is legendary). I have never seen any depictions of male slaves of America, Brazil, or West Indian with braided hair or dreads. Where is it in our culture that men wear their hair like women (as a desirable thing)?
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