Writing, Photography & Graphic Design by Mckinley Brown

Modeled by Doug Bergen, Liz Eike, Terrell Burse, & Atkia Farhana

I remember applying for my first job when I was 16. My hairstyle at the time was what the African American community calls a "messy fro." There are many ways to achieve this look, but I used a hair sponge, which gave my hair a spiky or bumpy texture, and I liked it because it made me feel like Sonic the Hedgehog. I thought it was great, but my mother warned me that it might come across as unprofessional to potential employers.

I decided to take my chances and went to the interview at Chick-fil-A, embracing my authentic self. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the job. While it was unclear if my appearance played a role, it made me wonder. Thanks to community service and extracurriculars, I was a good student with a solid resume, so I could not help but think: Did my hair cost me the job?

After that, I changed my approach. I styled my hair in a neat afro or freshly done twists for future interviews. I started getting job offers, even though nothing about me had changed — except my hair.

Out of curiosity, a year later, I reapplied to the same Chick-fil-A with the same resume but this time with a clean-cut afro. I got the job. But out of spite, I declined.

This experience made me reflect that something as personal as hair can influence how we are perceived professionally. It raised a question: Why should how we express ourselves — primarily through our hair — impact our chances in the workplace? Hair, especially in the African American community, carries cultural significance and is often a personal expression. Yet, many people, like myself, have had to adapt their natural hair to meet standards seen as "professional," even when these standards have little to do with our abilities or qualifications.

This issue of hair discrimination extends beyond the Black community; it can affect anyone whose natural or expressive hairstyles deviate from traditional corporate norms. People of various ethnicities, cultures, and backgrounds may face similar pressures to conform to narrow standards of professionalism that favor certain appearances over others. 

It is frustrating to think that something as superficial as a hairstyle can determine whether a person is considered for a job. An employer should focus on talent, work ethic, and character, not whether someone's hair conforms to a narrow idea of professionalism. How people wear their hair should not affect their ability to get a job. Hair discrimination is an outdated and unjust practice that does not reflect the diverse and inclusive work environments businesses claim to promote. In 2024, it’s a polarizing idea to think that if I were to have a degree, my job security could be at risk because of how I do my hair. If I were president, would I still be qualified for my position if I had bright purple locs, or would my experience and qualifications get thrown out the window? It certainly would be a bad hair day if it did.