Natural brothers and sisters, it is up to us to prove the naysayers wrong. How will we do this you may ask? We will do it by being the best at our professions while presenting ourselves with class and dignity. Our hair does NOT define us! It is an accessory, an expression of who we are. It should not be used as a means to define who we are. People choose to wear natural hair for different reasons. To some, it is a fad, a look that is popular at the present time that they choose to take part in. For others, myself included, it is an expression of self-love, a magnification of self-beauty, and a symbol of self-empowerment. The beautiful individuals displayed above are distinguished, professional, and are rocking their natural hair. That's right corporate america, the two can co-exist!
Black/African-American natural hair is not just a fad. It is lifestyle for most. It is not going anywhere so all might as well accept it, and get used to it. But of course, there will always be those that will never let stereotypes go, and will continue to refuse to embrace innate truths, and adhere to reason. For those individuals, I would like to part with a few famous quotes:
The whole idea of a stereotype is to simplify. Instead of going through the problem of all this great diversity - that it's this or maybe that - you have just one large statement; it is this.
Chinua Achebe
An understanding is perhaps better than an alliance, which may stereotype arrangements which cannot be regarded as permanent in view of the changing circumstances from day to day.
Edward Grey
And to my fellow naturals, for inspiration, I leave you with this:
Stereotypes do exist, but we have to walk through them.
Forest Whitaker
What are your experiences/thoughts on wearing natural hair in corporate america? Please, share, inform, enlighten!
It's funny when I first went natural most of my complements came during meetings with my non-African-American counterparts. I was shocked. They loved it. I think in some cases they embrace it more than us.
ReplyDelete