Black Hair: In the workplace and school

[markmywords]

Wow I haven't been on here in a while!

Anyway, I have a question. Why do people seem to think that white people coloring their hair blue or pink is the same as wearing cornrows or twists? I do not understand that at all. Eccentric colors are not natural to anyone's head whereas twists are a style that many naturals wear b/c of the texture of their hair.

How do these two equate?

[Lady of Pearl]

I agree with Crucial Crimson and McCoy Red, certain environments warrant a conservative style. You have to be able to read the organization's culture. If your working in a conservative culture then if you want to keep your job you must become conservative, most jobs have an employee manual which addresses dress and grooming. I have worn a natural since high school, but when I began looking for work, I had to make adjustments if I wanted to be hired. Especially in the midwest-which is a tad too conservative for my taste. I heard someone once say that the way you came into the organization in terms of your hairstyle is the way that you should remain. I once wore a braided wig and was treated in a hostile manner by my co-workers. I was simply giving my hair a break from chemicals, people treated me differently and one remarked, what are you so angry about when what I was upset about had nothing to do with my hair. Again, it's a matter of perception. Other cities, for example Washington D.C. are more accepting of a natural or braids, Connecticut or Ohio would not be. You have to groom yourself for the city and the industry -as my cousin would say, "IF you got your hand in the lion's mouth you better act like it!

[Baby4538]

I agree with Crucial and McCoy. When you work in an environment like a law office you have to take into account that you are entering a judges courtroom. I remember an issue awhile back where a female lawyer was asked to go home because she wore a shorter than knee length skirt to a court room. If the JUDGE has a problem with it, then it could become an issue where the attention has focused on you and your appearance rather than your client. NEVER a good thing.