Afro-centric hairstyles slowly finding greater workplace acceptance (Tannette Johnson-Elie)
on April 20th, 2005 at 7:14 amLike many African-American women, I have longed to experiment with a more natural hairstyle – such as locks or braids – but always was afraid that my naturally kinky hair might cause people at work to think that I was wearing my identity on my head.
My stylist, Hosea Bates, owner of Showing Off By Hosea , 2742 W. Highland Blvd., for years has tried to convince me to give up harsh chemical relaxers. Nevertheless, whenever the roots of my chemically treated hair become wavy and thick, I rush down to Bates’ salon for a relaxer, knowing in my heart that I am growing tired of the hassle and expense of maintaining my straightened hair.
The struggle for straight hair has been going on for at least a century. Older generations straightened their hair for survival – to blend into white society. Quite frankly, no one would hire us with kinky hair.
Those of my generation, who benefited from the civil rights movement and were able to attain…more
This does not apply to my dear chocolate brown sistahs that wear a platinum weave that should of came out of yo’ head weeks ago (the evidence is your naps have outgrown the weave). You can’t blend that in a corporate environment 
. I know you are trying for that neo-soul look, but I’m sorry sis, loose it and let it go!
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