I think the standards for a professional appearance are inherently discriminatory. Straight hair is still associated with neatness and professionalism, and doesn't seem to be expected to be (as) contained as other hair types. Because curly and kinky hair "distracting," it's hidden away, making it even more distracting when it is loose, since Americans wind up walking around thinking most people have straight hair.
I could never understand how cornrows, braids, and locs could be considered unprofessional - in my mind, they're the height of tidiness. My gut reaction is that an afro would not be professional, but intellectually, I know that's quite ridiculous. And I've seen afros look professional. Beyond being neat and styled (and where it matters, out of the way), any professional standards for hair are entirely arbitrary. And in all areas of life, arbitrary tends towards discriminatory.
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Date: 2009-06-11 01:59 pm (UTC)I could never understand how cornrows, braids, and locs could be considered unprofessional - in my mind, they're the height of tidiness. My gut reaction is that an afro would not be professional, but intellectually, I know that's quite ridiculous. And I've seen afros look professional. Beyond being neat and styled (and where it matters, out of the way), any professional standards for hair are entirely arbitrary. And in all areas of life, arbitrary tends towards discriminatory.