Natural Hair is appropriate for life‼️

I'm a manager in corporate america. I always wear my hair natural (rarely ever straight) and I always wear my natural hair during job interviews.

In my opinion, the only time natural hair (or any hair - weave, whatever) would be inappropriate is hair that is NOT groomed. I have seen some weaves that were a hot mess and inappropriate for anyplace! My natural hair goes to every important event. If my natural is not welcome, neither am I. Perhaps it was more concern for the person stealing the show by either not being well groomed or having an amazing hairstyle. Well groomed is key!

I work in healthcare as a surgical assistant and I both interviewed AND show up regularly in my natural hair. Fortunately for me, I’m in a profession that requires me to wear a bonnet 95% of the time while working so sometimes I don’t even bother with styling. I’ll show up with my freshly washed chunky twists and still look put together! I’ve even gotten away with deep conditioning my hair while on the job (if you know you know 😂) but even on days where I show up and don’t put on a surgical bonnet right away and my coworkers see me, it’s NOTHING BUT COMPLIMENTS and “wowwww, is that all yours??”. Granted, I’ve been natural for 10 years and started out nearly bald, so it’s been a journey in my confidence but I feel absolutely ZERO pressure to wear wig or weave or straighten my hair for any occasion. Period. I’ve learned how to embrace my 4c hair to maximize its fullest potential and accentuate the unique qualities of my kinky strands. To point where it’s like I’m literally telling society that my hair is a FLEX even on a bad day. So yes, it’s good enough for your galas, weddings, and little bougie brunches too. I’ve seen some killer up-do’s with Afro texture hair that’ll put the best lace fronts to shame..

Teyonah Parris is a great example of a woman that always wears her natural hair to big Hollywood events and she's always stunning!

Natural hair is hair. If it grows out of your head it’s appropriate to wear everywhere. What I think the real issue is, people aren’t used to seeing natural hair out of certain settings. When we see black media and black socialites their hair is usually a bust down weave or knee length braids. From what I’ve seen, people usually view natural hair as a statement and when people say natural hair it’s usually for the type 4 hair. There’s also the problem of assimilation, black people for generations have been taught to flat iron their hair to appear presentable and “like people.” If you didn’t do it, it was a lot harder to find a job.

I have worked as a college professor and as a local church pastor. Both of these venues were predominantly white, and I have worn my natural hair in both the classroom and the pulpit with no issue. I pray for the day when all my black sisters embrace their beauty and find comfort in the skin (and hair) they’re in.

My natural hair is always cared for. Therefore it is always appropriate. I love it. It makes me feel uniquely beautiful.

The 1st time I heard this topic was when Wendy Williams criticized Viola Davis for wearing natural hair at a red carpet event. She actually said Viola's hair was "inappropriate" for the occasion! Wendy, who's never been seen without a wig! I think she was jealous of Viola's confidence in her own natural beauty. I've worn natural hair since 1980. My braids were fine and admired in the corporate setting. My big chop to a twa was met with shock, but acceptance. My current wash n go curls are the hit of the office! Although it's annoying when people ask"how do you *do that* to your hair?" I tell them, "nature does it for me!" 🤷🏾

The real question is why is it that only black women with natural hairstyles are not acceptable, but all other non women of color hairstyles in their natural state is okay. They can just wear it in a messy bun, and it is now fashionable. Guess what they didn't do anything much to their hair to get a messy bun, but it's all the fashion. In truth, a messy bun is unkempt because all they do is wake up. Put nothing in the hair. Put it in a crunchy and loop it, and it's messy, but that is elegant. I don't understand that they didn't comb that hair. It's just in a messed-up ponytail, but that's ok. I don't understand this. We are the only ones that get told about our natural hair not being appropriate. Honestly I hear it more from our own people then non black people because I see more and more of us wearing our natural hair everywhere but you know who are the ones mainly talking is our own people and it's sad. I honestly believe it's the ones that are not comfortable in their own skin, and they are projecting how they feel about themselves onto others who love themselves. It's sad.

I agree. It's literally always okay to wear your (groomed) natural hair. Hair in unnatural colors is a different issue, depending on the occasion. It's very sad that this conversation is necessary, honestly. The self hate is so very disappointing.

Don't forget school. I remember a story where students in South Africa were protesting because the school BANNED NATURAL HAIR AND AFROS AS PART OF THE ACCEPTABLE SCHOOL UNIFORM! IN AFRICA! I also remember a young man in high school in the United States competing in wrestling and he was forced to cut off his locs because they were deemed inappropriate. White supremacy and colonialism pure and simple. So infuriating to hear.

I’ve never not worn my hair natural. All my corporate events, black ties, weddings, etc. Always get compliments. Just be groomed. It’s not that serious. Hope those ladies (and the people who agree with them) heal lol

A fro should be appropriate for a professional job. Straight hair can be worn out freely and still be considered professional, my fro is me just wearing my hair out freely but looked at as unkempt. Is that fair or does our society still have a bias...I would say yes, but I want your opinion. I'm an accountant and have to always think about who's going to be in the office on that day as to not cause friction/attention when I just want to wear my hair as it grows out of my head.

It was actually Issa Rae that made me realise I should buy my own texture too Appreicate it more.

As someone in stem, it’s so much easier to navigate through work with “safe” hairstyles such as natural looking wigs (kinky straight/loose curly), natural length box braids, and really any stretched natural look. Unsafe hairstyles to me are bone silky straight lace fronts with baby hairs, my hair in a huge fro (🙃), and unnatural colors. I do find that 4c texture paired with dark skin unfortunately scares non blk ppl. At the end of the day no one is ignoring the fact that you’re a black woman, which is highly stigmatized enough, i just think whatever you wear should alwayssss look real/NATURAL and groomed (“safe” in professional settings).

Btw, love the thumbnail pictures = Beautiful Sisters & I love seeing them/us shine. 💃🏿

I feel like the women on these podcasts that I’ve seen say this nonsense, they don’t take care or don’t know how to properly care for their hair underneath or in between these weaves regardless of the texture of their hair. Because if they did I just feel like there is no way they would say that. Because us girlies with natural hair who have learned how to care & style our hair for all occasions from the gym to a wedding

Natural hair is appropriate everywhere. People just like to claim their personal insecurities are rules. I doubt those same people are referring to silky curly hair non black women...textureism

I’ve worn my natural hair in “big corporate” environments for the last 30+ years. Usually a pixie cut of some sort at different lengths, all the way down to a buzz/clipper cut. These days I’m sporting a chin-length bob, though I’m thinking of taking a bit shorter to a “French bob” - again with my natural curls. I haven’t had a press & curl / silk press or a relaxer/texturizer since the late 1980s. Also, my hair almost completely grey/silver/white; I began going grey in my late 20s and have never colored my hair. Be aware that ageism is a *very* real phenomenon in the work place, so if anyone chooses to color their hair I completely understand. Some general hair rules for women in corporate environments that are not fashion/entertainment related - regardless of race/ethnicity or hair texture: - No “carnival” or fantasy colors (blue, green, orange etc.). An exception would be discreet “peek-a-boo” color that can be easily concealed based upon the style . - More senior roles wear shorter hair length, rarely below the shoulder. If hair is longer, it’s worn in a bun/chignon when “in the office”, including video calls. This is especially true for client-facing roles or events. Scarves, head wraps and turbans are acceptable, if the fabric has a solid or subtle pattern. - These rules also apply to the corporate/back office side of the fashion/entertainment industry: legal, finance, human resources, manager (and above) information technology.

No other races deal with this🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️ its absurd

Isaiah 65:17,25; Matt 24:14;1 John 2:15-17; Rev 21:3-6 This issue will be coming to an end and forgotten forever shortly under heavenly kingdom rule. Thanks for sharing. 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

It's mind boggling to me that this is even a topic of conversation. My response to any comments about the appropriateness of my natural hair is "This is the hair that God caused to grow out of my scalp. If it is good enough for God, it's good enough for me" I've never received a rebuttal.

Agree with your points. I was thinking about a big afro in church, which might be an annoyance to those sitting behind you, but then so would a big fancy hat! I do think it might be inconsiderate though, and also if worn to the cinema. Natural hair is a beautiful thing in my book, and just needs the appropriate style for the occasion, just as you would wear the right make up or outfit. And if you're a low key, minimal type of person, choose a low key style - a ponytail, a bun, or a short hairstyle, even a headwrap might do.

Actually, it might seem new but this is a very old and very entrenched idea that is steeped in the history of colonialism for Black folks across the Diaspora. Our fabulousness is appropriate for all occasions! Peace

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I wouldn't hire any lawyer or doctor with blue hair, white or black, natural or straightened

We would be wrong if we say "don't bring your stiff wig to my event" lol, natural hair is appropriate for every situation if it's good enough for God is good enough for me

I guess the question would be.. why wear your most beautiful dress and shoes all made up…. And wear fake hair / somebody else’s hair. I understand for health reasons. This comment is for the Nigerian lady’s subject.

Is natural hair appropriate? Is your natural arm, leg or foot appropriate? The answer is yes. Its the way we were born.

It comes from a hate for ones natural hair. Its a texurism hate and a length issue. Most of these ppl have short twa hair and the thought of wearing it out has them shook and stuck.

Styling hair in any fashion should be that person's preference no matter the occasion. Don't know why it should be a problem for natural kinky hair. I wish it wasn't so.

Do you perceive afros to generally be unkempt, or are huge afros your problem? You reneference them separately in these scenarios as if you have a bias against them looking "put together". If someone has a TWA, their hair doesn't pull back; especially if their hair is high density until it becomes a certain length. I watched the video in it's entirety and I'm genuinely asking.

God gave me my hair, it is good.

At the end of the day, if the naturally straight, wavy, or curly hair of a non-black person is allowed and appropriate then so is mine cause we're both "natural." If not, then the host is racist and discriminatory point blank period.

Let me just say I am part Egyptian on my fathers side. my hair is very curly I'd say 3b au natural, meaning it grew out of my head. I will say this am abit confused when you talk about natural. If its not grown out of your head is it considered au natural and why? In my opinion I luv the afro, but than am from 1964 grew up in the 70's in Southern California. When I brush my hair out it looks like the hair do Diana Ross wears just Gorgeous. Unfortunately this is still a white man/womens world because so many are still having this conversation. White is not beautiful in my book. I come from the line of Cleopatra and thats who I think is absolutely Fabulously Beautiful and anyone who looks like that! I wish the consensus, that straight hair, like a white women, is beautiful, it isn't.