This week I attended a conference focused on higher education professionals in academic advising and career planning. The keynote speaker shared with the audience his experiences as an African American male. He shared about a recent speaking engagement at a school. During, several young Black students were eager to take a picture with him.
Their excitement was not due to his published books or articles, but because of his hair. The students wanted to show their parents/guardians that the speaker could be “professional” and have cool and natural hair (afro).
This story reminded me of the countless conversations with Black women, undergraduate/graduate students and professionals about their hair anxiety. There was heightened anxiety and fear during their job search. Their countless horror stories of career advisors or search committee members unsolicited advice on their natural hair. Of course, beyond the unsolicited advice, they dealt with the hair touching, unusual gawking, or comical hair questions.
I’m unprofessional because my hair isn’t straight?
