why is Afrotextured hair unprofessional
Going natural was liberating. It was my way of demonstrating that I rejected the "standards of beauty" that regarded Afrocentric hair as unattractive. However, I never considered that my natural crown could harm my prospects of landing a job.
Everyone has heard of at least one incident in which a person of color was urged to modify his or her hair to appear more professional. Rewind to 2001 when Hampton University made headlines after its School of Business barred cornrows and dreadlocks in its MBA program. Why was this ban imposed on students? The Dean was concerned that these hairstyles would make it difficult for them to obtain corporate employment. So, he wanted to groom them for the future. Fast-forward to 2005-2015, we heard numerous stories about Black schoolchildren encountering a range of dress code restrictions that prohibited Blackcentric hairstyles at school.
Although these incidents occurred years ago, the problem persists, and there have been several reports of Black people being advised or feeling the need to change their natural hair to appear more professional.
Recently, a 2023 research study by the people at the CROWN Act discovered how race-based hair discrimination remains a widespread issue for Black women in the workplace. Unfortunately, as a result of this dilemma, several minorities have modified their hair to suit the standards of Western civilization. The main cause of this problem is Western supremacy, a hegemonic system in which one race determines what is considered professional and unprofessional based on their preferences.
Another cause of this problem could be the perceptions left by urban films. In urban movies, cornrows are often connected with deviant and "ghetto" conduct. People who watch these films are conditioned to perceive cornrows as depicted in these films.
And then there is the afro. The afro became popular in the 1960s and 1970s. During this era, western societies experienced Afro-embracing people of color standing against racism. One group of people was the Black Panther Party which we all know was wrongfully accused of being a terrorist organization. Hence, afros were given a negative connotation. Individuals sporting an afro were portrayed as combative, rebellious, or delinquent, as were people with cornrows.
Afro-textured hair is beautiful. Unfortunately, people of color continue to face an unjust culture that unfavorably targets them in the workplace. We must continue having conversations about the negative views of afro-textured hair in formal settings, while also providing ongoing education to all employees and decision-makers in places of employment. Afro-textured hair is indeed appropriate for formal settings.
