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Lose the Locks for a Promotion?
By Luke Visconti
August 11, 2008
Keywords: locks, Black, African American, gay, LGBT, hair, senior management, executive, Ask the White Guy
Question:
I am a mid-30s manager who is African American, openly gay and wears long natural hair (locks). Thus far in my 10-year career, I have been blessed with career success through promotions, awards, visibility assignments, mentoring and networking opportunities, and allowed to take risks. I know some of your readers will immediately have certain stereotypes about me but NO, I am tall, I hire and mentor other minorities and women, my partner is also African American, and I speak properly without sounding like Carlton Banks from the "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air."
What is my problem, you ask? Recently, I have been invited to an interview for a position in senior management. While I am most grateful for the opportunity, frankly, I am uncertain about going forward with the interview. Some of my mentors and friends say that I will have to cut my hair and act more "corporate" to fit in with the inner circle because success at the senior level is different from the mid-level. I value what this opportunity means but do not want to sacrifice who I am.
Signed,
Should I keep it real in the middle or move on up?
Answer:
If they wanted Urkel, they would have found Urkel.
You were asked to interview. The people who asked you already know about your natural hair, your confidence in being out and your mentorship of your coworkers. Assuming you're not keeping your look preserved in amber and assuming you'll evolve appropriately, I would take the invitation to interview as both a positive reflection of your company--and yourself.
Don't cut the locks, be yourself and "break a leg." Although the advice you're getting may be heartfelt, it reminds me of all the baby-boomer people who didn't think Sen. Obama had a chance. They were wrong.
One thing I would suggest for you: You didn't specifically mention mentoring white people. If you aren't doing that, please start. We need to cross the mentoring race lines bi-directionally.
Please let me know what happens.
Readers' Comments
Posted: Friday, Sep 26, 2008
Lose the Locks for a Promotion?
I know that you may believe that your locks are a symbol of your strength and culture, but you may be the only person who thinks that. Let me just ask you this 1 questions and lets look at it from both sides. Unless you see white men with long hair, then there is a chance that management would not want a black person with long hair. I am old school and I would not hire a person with long hair, black or white.
D T
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Posted: Saturday, Sep 20, 2008
Lose the Locks for a Promotion?
If you need this job, ask straight out if they would like the locks cut. They may not care and like the look, as it shows diversity on the company's part.
Dave Bannerman
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Posted: Thursday, Sep 18, 2008
Lose the Locks for a Promotion?
I am a black male that have locks living in FL. I have struggled over cutting mine to attain employment. They are neat and I pull them back when interviewing. My question is, "How do whites really view them when you are seeking employment"? I'm in a profession (urban planning)that has very little black representation at all. I have seen my white counterparts that went to grad school with me flurish in the profession, I've been of school for 5 years now and continue to struggle in a white dominanted profession. Can we really say that "hair" does not make a difference? I would like to see what non-blacks have to say.
Drew C
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Posted: Wednesday, Sep 17, 2008
Lose the Locks for a Promotion?
They are an extension of you...they are a reflection of you. We need to stop trying to mold ourselves to fit the status quo and really learn how to love who we are. I have had my locks for 8 years and could not imagine myself without them. The way we style our hair will not hinder advancement, but the attitudes, the mind set, energy level and our ambition will. True talk. Keep them, brother.
Jana Bradley
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Posted: Tuesday, Sep 16, 2008
Lose the Locks for a Promotion?
I am also a Human Resources professional, with loc'd hair (for a fortune 50 company) but unlike the previous HR professional who commented I strongly believe that your biggest asset to any company is your ability to be "yourself". A lot of emphasis was placed on his hair when sexual orienatation bias is a lot more common. It has already been determined that the invitees knows what he looks like and still invited him. I want to stress the thought that each person individually has to determine how much they are willing to "sacrifice" to get a promotion before they have completely lost their identity. When does it, will it stop (Hair, dresses, speech, social activities or political affiliations). I believe all people of color have to stop trying so hard to assimilate and strive be comfortable enough in their own skin to make people around them feel comfortable.
F W
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