I know that there has been a lot of discussion about natural hair at work and how that can potentially impede your career success. I was at a volunteering training session for Black Pearls Community Services, Inc. — an organization that I work with — and another woman was talking about how a friend of hers feels like she is singled out at work due to her hair.
I think that’s a shame. If you’ve read my posts about hair politics, you’ll know that I’m very much about being yourself at work and letting your work speak for you — not how you decide to wear your hair. But, I also know that not everyone works for a company that is open to non-traditional (read: not permed or weaved) hair. Here’s a snapshot at me at work with my hair in all of its natural glory.
What do you think? Would you be able to rock this style at work or would your colleagues give you the side-eye?
The Accidental Natural 
Yes, I could wear that style to work, with no side-eye going on. Although, the first time, there may be some inappropriate touching, people invading my personal space to get a closer look and exclamations of “How did you do that?”
Unfortunately, I think that’s part of the education. At my former job, by the time I left, people weren’t all freaked out by my hair or how it changed from week to week. They would say nice hair or they wouldn’t say anything at all. I think it’s because I educated them about what’s cool to do (yes, you can ask me about my hair — as long as it’s respectful questioning) and what wasn’t cool (no, you can’t put your hands in my hair unless I give you permission to). After six years, they were good to go :)!
that is a great look….i hope to be able to rock my hair at any job like that, but we shall see once i finally get HIRED somewhere for more than freelance
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Thanks lady! I will keep my fingers crossed that you find a full-time position where you can rock your hair however you like.
Yes. Natural hair is widely accepted at most jobs today. Natural beauties are everywhere and they are eyed with jealousy by those still caught up in wigs and weaves.
I’ve been having this conversation with a lot of people recently — wearing your hair naturally at work and if that would be detrimental to your career. I’m blessed, I’ve never felt like it would hold me back, but unfortunately, some people don’t work in inclusive work environments. Don’t knock the wigs too hard, I’ve got two of ’em 🙂
I’d totally wear that style, it looks great on you btw;-). I think it’s just about staying true to what you feel is right and inherently beautiful. Right now I’m wearing two-strand twists as opposed to wearing my hair out & fully curly, and I’ll admit, some of my co-workers can tell the difference…and it’s almost as if they can’t figure out why I’d choose to wear one style over the other. In other words, why would you choose to wear your hair in a way that would impose odd looks etc., as opposed to one that would welcome more adoration and compliments? It’s about invoking your own standard of beauty, not allowing others to dictate it for you. I’ve found comfort in this over the past few years…
Are your co-workers Black? I ask just because I find Black people have a lot to say about how you decide to wear your hair. My white colleagues don’t really put a value judgment on my hair as Black people do. I guess it’s the history of Black hair and beauty rearing its head again. I agree with you 100% — it’s about being comfortable in your own skin and wearing your hair how you feel beautiful — not trying to fit into someone else’s description of beauty. That does take a few years to develop. BTW, thanks for the compliments, girl!
the majority of my co-workers are non-black, but I see what you’re saying. Ironically, the black ppl. who’ve had issue with my hair have been family members…lol. They’ve eased up over the years, but still have this mentality that you have to be a ‘certain person’ or have a particular look to wear natural hair. Nonsense…lol, but no one can say the natural ride isn’t interesting;-)
Wearing this style would not be a problem at my job. The hardest thing for me was when I was combing out my locs, I could not get away with wrapping my hair – which I love.
I’ve always been curious about combing out locs because from the time I was a child, I always heard that locs are permanent and I’d have to pretty much shave my head to do something different. That is one reason why I keep saying that I’m not sure about locs, although I love them. Do you mind sharing what the process for combing your locs out was? And how long did it take?