I changed my hair from braids to weave because of our country’s difficult history with black women and their hair. Ironically, I’m jotting notes about this straight from the salon chair in Charlotte as my stylist combs out every last plat from my scalp. I graduate from Clemson’s MBA program this week and I’m deep within the job hunt. The industries I tend to lean towards have a corporate environment versus the free, artsy workplace culture that certain marketing agencies possess. In addition to stressing about the font selection on my resume and practicing interview questions, I have to ask myself if my future bosses will like my black hair. “If I don’t have a sewin, will they think I’m unprofessional?” “Will they judge me before I can even say I’ve worked for Fortune 500 companies and started my own business in college?”
They might not think that, but I can’t afford to take that chance. As a black woman, Olivia Pope’s line always comes to mind when I’m applying to new jobs. “You have to be twice as good as them to get half of what they have.” And the data certainly backs that up. The decision to say goodbye to my box braids comes days after Brown Skin Girl gave confidence to every melanated sister on social media and the natural hair movement has never been more popular. So why am I so hesitant to let it be?
When I was in middle school, I remember begging my mom to let me have straight hair just like my white friends. In a class of 30 something children, I was just one of two black students. Boys would make fun of being able to see my scalp- evenly moisturized with oil. I longed for the chance to flick my hair over my shoulder like my peers. Eventually, I wore my mom down and she took me to get my first (and last) relaxer.
The minute it hit my skin I knew it was a mistake. The burning can be compared to a chemical peel, but I was determined to let it sit longer, holding on to the idea that it would all be worth it. After what seemed like hours, the stylist washed out the products and revealed what little hair I had left. I’m talking Rihanna pixie cut days but if someone had tried to attack my head blindly with garden shears. The breakage was unbelievable. Even to this day, my hair struggles with growth and I shy away from hair care brands I don’t know. Once my hair could handle the tension, I reintroduced braids to my routine and finally sew-ins.
For all of my beautiful beige readers, a weave is a type of hair extension that works to add volume and/or length to your natural hair. It can be sewn into cornrows braided into your hair, a net on top of the braids, or bonding safely to your scalp. If taken care of, it can help promote growth and reduce the breakage in your hair by giving your natural strands the chance to take a break.
Black Americans have been using styles like locs, twists, and letting their gravity-defying hair grow to the sky since their earliest days in Africa. However, throughout history, we’ve seen eurocentric beauty as the standard. What was once a means of expression has since been stifled by a means to fit into the culture that was forced upon them. The natural hair that grows out of our scalp often makes racists uncomfortable and they deem it unprofessional. Nappy. Dirty. Unkempt. Just a few words still being used to describe the hair placed on my God-given 4C head. And seeing as NYC in 2019 was one of the first places in the United States to decriminalize black hair, we have a long way to go. You can probably see why black people tend to be upset when white people get culturally black styles like dreads or braids. They’re allowed the chance to be free with their hairstyle choices without the stereotypes and heavy discrimination that comes along with it.
Well, we continue to be trendsetters. What used to be considered “ghetto” and “ratchet” is now all the rage. Weaves have now just become “extensions” and multicolored wigs are a staple in the Kardashian household. More women are embracing their natural curl patterns or enjoying the chances to be versatile with sewins. The important thing is that now, more than ever it feels like black women are finally getting the opportunity to choose instead of appeasing society. And while I’m still too scared to have braids during my job hunting process, I’m excited to think of a day where I can let my natural hair out in public again.
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Great post!! I appreciate your honesty. I’ve been natural for six years and felt like I had to hide my natural hair during job interviews because it was a “distraction.” Never again!! I had to realize that if this job can’t look past my hair and see how qualified I am, then it’s their loss!
Amen! It’s hard when some of the better opportunities require us to change ourselves. But when it comes between self-worth and more money, I’ll take me any day.
This is SO well written!!! Yes yes and more yes!
Thank you Seyi! I’m glad you liked it