This has got to stop.
According to the August edition of the magazine, American Lawyer, a Glamour magazine editor, who was not named, gave a presentation on the ‘Do’s and Don’ts of Corporate Fashion’ at a New York law firm.
During her presentation, she made a point to say certain black hairstyles were not acceptable in the workplace.
Those statements rubbed a lot of people the wrong way. “First slide up: an African American woman sporting an Afro. A real “no-no,” announced the Glamour magazine editor to the 40 or so lawyers in the room. As for dreadlocks: “How truly dreadful!”
The style maven said it was “shocking” that some people still think it’s “appropriate” to wear those hairstyles at the office. “No offense,” she sniffed, but those “political” hairstyles really have to go.”
If you have not learned the art of kissing up yet, you may want to pull out your notebook and jot down what the
Glamour magazine editor said – title it “Do’s and Don’ts of Kissing Up.”
Had she done a test run of her presentation, she would have realized her game plan was faulty.
She must have thought that non-blacks would back her and applaud if she made anti-black comments to a room full of lawyers, many of which were black.
Nobody, including Glamour magazine, was okay with her comments, and rightfully so.
Since when does being natural become being political?
She has a problem!
Although disturbing, her comments do not come as a surprise. Many have the same problem of wanting blacks to leave their culture at home and not bring it to the workplace.
Sadly, some of you agree with what she said.
Some think blacks need to be as fake and as phony as possible in order to get a ‘good job’ in corporate America.
Attention blacks, for all of you out there who agree with the Glamour editor, perm your hair. As a matter of fact, wear a wig. After all, you do not want them to know you are black or political. Who wants a real black person in corporate America?
Sadly, I hear outlandish comments similar to what she said all the time from blacks.
It is bothersome that some blacks are scared and okay with not being allowed to be themselves at work.
As long as we mimic someone else it is permissible and righteous. When blacks do things that are a part of their culture they are, “ghetto,” “hood” or “political.”
Back when it was black-owned, did BET recommend that its non-black employees get rid of their hairstyles? Did those with naturally straight hair have to do away with it and add volume and curls. As a matter of fact, why even bother adding volume and curls, BET should have advised they just wear a wig. Or would that have been too extreme?
I thought Glamour magazine was supposed to keep up with pop culture. The hairstyles the Glamour editor seemed adamantly against are popular hairstyles.
Her presentation was very clear: Being black is not fashionable in corporate America.
Siraaj Sabree is a senior newspaper journalism student from Miami. He can be reached at famuanopinions@hotmail.com.