Yea Yea I know I have been missing from the Blogger-sphere for a while, but all in good reason...I made it to a year of being natural in Feb 2013 and I have been busy trying to pursue a career change. Going on Job interviews and applying for jobs but not one single offer....Yet.
I keep thinking OK is there something wrong here? After all this has been my first time being Natural since I was 12 years old and although the world is starting to embrace Natural textured hair for all its crown and glory I am starting to wonder has Corporate America embraced the natural Afro too??
According to a Poll on Essence.com (March 11, 2013)* :
55% of Women stated that stereotypes about Natural hair exist in the workplace, but they haven't been personally impacted by it.
18% say No that wearing natural hair does not have anything to do with professional success while 16% believe that Black women feeling self conscious about their hair more so than their colleagues With 12% saying that Natural hair affects their work/career as they speak from personal experience.
I am starting to wonder, could my natural hair be holding me back from the career that I am looking to pursue?!
According to CurlyNikki (via CurlyNikki.com/Oct.2012
Natural hair and Corporate world ) "Her experience in Corporate America never was neutral. CulyNikki says she was never approached by her boss CEO or HR about how she should wear her hair and as a result she was'nt sure how people would respond to her newly big chopped hair, But when more people complimented her on her new loo for her this made her feel immense support for her decision to become naturally textured". She also alludes this stigma of Textured hair as being unacceptable to "the history of Natural hair and the psychological vestige of Slavery where Natural hair was associated with wild, unruly or uncivilized . As the saying goes if your hair is relaxed, White folks are relaxed.
Natural hair and Corporate world ) "Her experience in Corporate America never was neutral. CulyNikki says she was never approached by her boss CEO or HR about how she should wear her hair and as a result she was'nt sure how people would respond to her newly big chopped hair, But when more people complimented her on her new loo for her this made her feel immense support for her decision to become naturally textured". She also alludes this stigma of Textured hair as being unacceptable to "the history of Natural hair and the psychological vestige of Slavery where Natural hair was associated with wild, unruly or uncivilized . As the saying goes if your hair is relaxed, White folks are relaxed.
I don't consider myself one who isn't confident in my hair or myself, but I've had some time to think about how hair and career interweave (so to speak) and if there is a stigma around more naturally textured hair than curly or straighter hair, it may not be something that can be seen. And how this affects the newly natural sister like myself who isn't in the place she wants to be, trying to work my way up, it seems that to have a place at the Corporate table doesn't seem to involve an overwhelmed desire to embrace the kinks, coils, and curls on our heads...hence why so many women still get their hair straightened/permed, it as one of my friends said "more professional looking".
Its Monday and I enter the train station in NYC... I realize that maybe the stigma comes from within, that somewhere either through media, our families or general feedback from people we encounter that Natural hair is still somewhat "uncivilized" to land a job in traditional corporate america. But the inspiration I get when seeing women getting on and off the public trains with hand bags, dresses and suits, rocking their BIG HAIR DON'T CARE styled coifs off to their job on the grind.... I feel empowered that there are women just like me who have challenged the world's view of beauty, they work in jobs they enjoy and are PAID IN FULL...I just have to continue to stay positive be confident in my good and bad hair days...
It has been a journey that has been one that is teaching me the good old virtue of PATIENCE and trusting in GOD to do his will...in due time things will work out for the best whether or not they love my Big Hair...either way I DON'T CARE!!
Be sure to leave feedback and Comments about your own personal views..have you been personally affected by your hair in the work place?*Essence.com Natural hair poll results below:
Yes, I know it does because I've had a personal experience with my natural hair affecting my own career.
12%
Yes, I think stereotypes about natural hair exist in the workplace although they haven't affected me personally.
55%
No, I don't think wearing natural hair has anything to do with professional success.
18%
No, I think this idea is really about Black women feeling self-conscious about our hair.
16%
Total votes: 598
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