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!
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.