Tickledpink,
I'm glad you brought this up from the professional viewpoint.
Just last week I was talking with a friend about the meaning of the word "professional". I was sharing my stories about having an "ethnic" hairstyle while applying/interviewing for jobs. I have worn my hair natural for two years and over that period of time I have come to see the word "professionalism" as conformity. Some might find that extreme, but I really feel
that it's the truth. Think about it:
A woman had to sue her job because her hairstyle (thin braids past her shoulders) were not deemed professional even though they were very neat and well-maintained.
A lady at my girlfriend's job was almost fired because she wore Kente Cloth scarves
around her neck with her business suits. They told her the print was not professional.
Muslim women are repeatedly pressured not to wear Haddad (head/neck covering) because it's not looked upon as professional.
Does anyone see a pattern here? It seems that any hint of your ethnic or even
RELIGIOUS background shouldn't show while in the "professional" setting. To me this is
complete BS, and I for one pay it no mind when working. I AM ethnic. I'm part
West-African and it shows in my hair and in my culture. Why should I bury any physical
evidence of that because white (corporate) America doesn't like it?? I spend as much time grooming and deciding on clothing as anyone else. I'm
always so fresh and so clean. Get used to it because I'm not changing.
Now back to your question, Tickledpink. I find that the idea of the "professional look" is slowly being blurred and redefined. Many people, not just black people, are demanding that professional jobs accept not just their ethnicity/culture, but their creativity. Company's were/still are being sued for trying to dictate what is professional. While organizations like AKA can reject people that don't fit the image they would like, companies are loosing millions of dollars in lawsuits because they attempted to do the very same thing.
A few weeks ago a man in another state attracted a lot of attention because he was selling so many suits at his upscale retail job he was making more than the store manager
($250,000+). I saw him in the paper. There he was, locs and all, just smiling away.
[This message has been edited by Poplife (edited May 07, 2001).]