During my quest for gainful employment, I went above and beyond to be the perfect candidate. I pursued higher education, certifications, and any training or skill that would make me a more valuable asset.
I’ve always had a polished appearance. Nevertheless, I made sure my hair was straightened for all my interviews. Now what would that have to do with anything? Let me explain.
I’m a brown skin Black woman with kinky hair, which was not the preferred look in corporate America. Well, we’re the only ones with kinky hair or as some would say, “nappy hair”. Though a lot has changed since then, I still don’t think they like our hair, especially at the forefront. That’s why you haven’t seen Michelle Obama or any other Black politician wear their natural hair. First Ladies of mega churches don’t do it either, and their job is to serve the Lord. Our natural hair is not attractive to the general public, and it’s not deemed professional.
Sadly, some of my own people would say things like, “She needs to do something with that hair”, if they were to wear it natural. To my other races, when I say natural, I mean without straightening or chemicals.
So, when I realized my hair was not helping me get any of the jobs I had interviewed for, I quit worrying about how it looked during the time of the interview, as long as it was presentable.
I already have one strike against me for being Black, a second one for being brown skin, and a third one for having kinky hair. Sounds like we’re automatically set up to fail. But the good news is, I no longer give a damn.
I interviewed for one of my previous jobs with honey blonde braids in my hair. The style I had is called kinky twists, and I was not ready to take them down. Black women do not spend money on fake hair and the service, then sit in a chair for several hours only to take their hair down after only one to two weeks of wearing it. I was like, it is what it is. If they are interested, they are going to hire me with or without these braids. And they did.
However, the acceptance did not change anything. I was still going to wear my hair how I wanted to at work. In fact, I went to complete my onboarding packet wearing corn rows straight to the back. Again, they were neat and presentable. Oh, but you should’ve seen the look on the Human Resources lady’s face. Guess what race she was?…🤔👀
Throughout the duration of my employment, I’ve worn wash and gos (wet, dry, and wild), silk presses, single and double ponytails (high and low), and braids (with natural and fake hair).
I didn’t wear wigs and lace fronts because I’m just not a fan of them. They make me feel like I’m wearing a hair hat, and I really just don’t like anything covering too much of my head for long periods of time, which is why I don’t really wear regular hats as much either. But, to each her own.
Every time I changed my hair, I received genuine compliments from white people as well as other races. This is when I learned that many white people actually admire our hair. I would get asked questions like, “Is it tight, how long does it take, how is it done, etc?” But I never took offense to any of it. They were just curious. One of my coworkers made me laugh. He was a cool white guy who had good camaraderie with everyone at the office. When I came to work with it straight one day, then curly the next, he was like, “Oh, you can wear it puffed out too!” I was tickled pink because I can tell he was confused😂. Little did he know is that our hair has a mind of its own. Not all white people are tone-deaf. Some really are just curious.
However, a few have come off as tone-deaf when I wore it straight, saying things like, “I like when you wear your hair like that, or it really changes your look.” Excuse me, miss? I don’t care what you like, neither am I trying to appeal to you. I like my her straight at times, but I like it curly more. We often straighten our hair for one of two reasons or both: for manageability or a different look. However, if you care to know my truth, I straighten it so I can make it to work on time.
In conclusion, “do you” when it comes to your hair. God gave you that head of sheep’s wool because he knew you would be creative enough to figure out what to do with it. Besides, you’re too unique and special to wear your hair the same way every day. As for me, I’ve been blessed with a work from home opportunity that does not require me to comb my hair at all 😊
“Your skills pay your bills – not your hair. If an employer doesn’t accept it, then seek work elsewhere.”
– Bianca A. McCormick-Johnson ✍🏽
