Questions re: potentially lame costume, and trick-or-treating date

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love real afros and have always wondered why people would want to F with Mother Nature b/c afros are so cool!

But this has nothing to do with OP's question. I digress for my own personal satisfaction.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

When I first saw the OP's question, I thought what's the big deal? But you're right it's offensive. It's as cringe worthy as people who allow their children to wear afro wigs.

I hate, hate, hate afro wigs. But I won't get into that here, since I'm sure very few people will see how that's offensive.

There's a long racial history about why Americans of African descent chemically straighten their hair. For some it's a style issue, but there is a deeper thing behind it. There are big social reasons. Think about it- even for Caucasian women, wavy or curly hair is sometimes seen as unprofessional or "wild" in the workplace. You kick it up to tightly curly, kinky hair and that adds another level of alleged "unprofessionalism." I don't feel like finding sources right now, but if you ever have a free day to spend Googling, it''s an interesting subject to learn about.

[Anonymous]

PP here- also, because there is a deeper meaning behind black American women choosing to straighten their hair or choosing to wear it naturally, afro wigs aren't cool. Those women who choose to go against social norms and wear their hair as it naturally is get to see people wearing mockeries of their hairstyle because it's "different," "funny," and makes for an awesome costume?

Go ahead and call me super PC, no fun, ultra sensitive, tell me you've asked all your black friends on Facebook and they all say they relax their hair but there's absolutely no meaning behind it, etc. I've got my big girl panties on.

[Anonymous]

PP, isn't the natural look considered professional these days? That's what I am seeing...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP, isn't the natural look considered professional these days? That's what I am seeing...

As I said, if you want to learn more about it you can Google, because I don't have the links to articles, blogs, and message boards handy. No, it's not universally looked down upon in the workplace.

I'd say if you aren't a woman of black descent who wears her hair naturally, it'd be hard to gauge the level acceptance. It also differs from city to city. A big city, no problem. A smaller town, less social acceptance.

http://jezebel.com/gossip/your-roots-are-showing/glamour-editor-to-lady-lawyers-being-black-is-kinda-a-corporate-dont-289268.php

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yf2m05lQMt8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqrkUFoeOrE

[Anonymous]

11:42 again. Do you think many people expect straightened hair in the workplace but as time goes on, various hairstyles will become the norm everywhere?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:11:42 again. Do you think many people expect straightened hair in the workplace but as time goes on, various hairstyles will become the norm everywhere?

It's hard to predict. It would be nice for that to happen, but it's not likely it will be accepted everywhere. It's just like anything else- some things are the norm in some places, while they're rare in other places. The thing is, lots of people judge silently. While you won't be told to your face that your natural hair (or your gender, or your race, or your sexuality, or your looks, etc.) is the reason you didn't get promoted, maybe there is a judgmental person in charge of that decision who doesn't consider you because of that attribute.