Natural Hair in the Workplace
Written By: Jordan Farrell
“So, how are you going to wear your hair to your interview?”
While I do not want to generalize, I do believe every black girl has wondered or been questioned about their natural hair in the workplace. In the past decade, the natural hair movement has allowed black women to reclaim confidence in their natural hair textures, whether that would be type 3 ringlets or coily 4c hair. With many women exploring different options in how they sport their hair in different settings, the workplace is something that we have always kept in mind.
As I go through college, I have gained an amount of confidence I never imagined in every part of me, including my hair. While I aspire to be a lawyer, I know I will have to face a white-male dominated field where they may not embrace my hair, my presence, my personality, etc. Already in college, I have noticed that many other black men and women face these issues as well. So what decision should we make? While I do not want to tell anyone what to do with the hair on their head, I personally sport my natural hair in virtually any setting. I think it is important to present yourself unapologetically as you enter a new space because if they don’t accept it initially, then that is probably a place that will never accept it.
Growing up, I had noticed that straight hair was equated with more “important events.” Whether that’d be a homecoming, an interview, or even meeting an important individual, natural hair was not allowed. It was in those moments I associated straight hair with being professional and presentable, while natural hair could never be of those qualities. As I started becoming comfortable with my natural hair, I questioned if my natural hair would be accepted or ridiculed. Like many, I was taken to a place of insecurity where I had to question whether or not my hair would define the outcome of an interview. Today, it does not matter whether I am rocking my fluffy curls, braids or straight hair, I will show up as I present myself on a day to day basis because that is simply who I am. It was in this moment I proudly claimed a part of my identity and acknowledged that even if someone does not accept it, I will be okay in the end.
So with this being said, is natural hair truly “professional?” While I do not have a solid answer to this question, I ask, who gets to determine this? While professionalism does set standards for different career fields, I believe that professionalism contribute to many restrictions that hinder individuality in the workplace. This could range from one’s hair, tattoos, piercings, etc. To be quite frank, while you can jump to conclusions about one’s personality due to their exterior, none of these factors contribute to what they can bring to their workplace and the impact they can make for their company. As an aspiring lawyer, many black women, including myself, have been told how you must dress, how your hair should be out of your face, and which mannerisms you must practice. Almost instantly, I realized that these rules are heavily rooted in sexism and racism. While these restrictions will never determine what I can bring to a firm, but they could be the very reason I do not get hired, or do not feel welcome in a firm.
Earlier this year, I visited the State of Attorney’s office for my district and when all of the lawyers came in to talk about their experiences, I was instantly drawn to one woman. Out of respect for her privacy, I will not name her, but she immediately caught my eye. She had a blonde shaved head and piercings all over her ear. Not only was she exactly in the space I wanted to work in, but she was breaking the professional “norm.” When I got to speak with her, she mentioned how she appreciated how she was able to express herself through her appearance as a lawyer. Especially as a black woman, we feel pressure to follow the rules in order to be accepted into these spaces, and to see a black woman in front of me, fully expressive, as a lawyer was truly inspiring.
While I choose to wear my hair in its natural state, I am still aware that everyone is going through their own personal journey in their hair and their respective fields. I must admit that I have always been deemed a more “acceptable” natural hair type, so my hair has never truly felt like a hindrance in spaces that I have been. I know that people with tighter hair textures, or even in the transitioning phase, may not feel as confident. While it is easier said than done, I say that if you do choose to wear your hair in its natural state, that you should also do so in the workplace. Our society is progressing and diversifying day by day and I hope one day, natural hair will not be a taboo topic for black professionals.