Whats all this craziness about Hampton University having a beef with Essence Magazine editor?
May issue I have Jada Pinkett Smith is on the cover (in a hott **** dress too omg who designed it?)
Well N.E. way
Im reading it and I just came across the editors letter..... The Bold and the Beautiful.
The letter opens up at first discussing an issue dealing with a mother and her 7 year old little girl in Memphis Tennessee. The argument was discussing the fact that her daughter couldnt participate in the ballet recital unless she cut her locks (dreadlocks) off. Supposedly the little girl's instructor informed her that if she didnt cut them off she would have to sit and watch the recital and couldnt participate in the recital. The mother had to back-and-forth with lawsuit threats, and an old-fashioned Black-mother ways (wHY my child cant dance cuz her hair!) The instructor finally caved in and allowed the little girl to perform.
The mother told her young daughter that you dont always have to have a Eurocentric look to fit into society.
where does Hampton fall at in this? ..........
All of a sudden the Editor talks about and "I Quote"
"If you need any further proof that we still have issues when it comes to our hair,
"consider the controversy that was brewing at Hampton University just as we went to press.
In a misguided effort to better prepare students to enter corporate America, the university recently mandated that students in the five-year M.B.A program would not be allowed to wear hairstyles that administrators consider "extreme"
"No dreadlocks, No long braids, and No cornrows NO way!"
THE EDITOR ALSO SAYS
"As a proud alum of this historically Black college and a graduate of its business school,
"I was stunned to hear of the university's stance on this issue. " I worry how this policy will affect the self-image of our young women and men.
"Our hair , and the myriad (different, various) ways we choose to wear it, is a statement of pride, a refelction of our creativity and individuality. And isn't that what college is supposed to be about? HBCU's especially
"Without a doubt, our hair has been a racially charged issue since "WE" (the black people of USA) hit these shores.
"Thats why it so concerns us here at Essence to see one of our own beloved institutions call anyone's personal expression of beauty into question.
I dont have locks or braids but I soo agree with everything she said.
You hair does not determine if you can do the qualitfications of the job
Corporate America (WHite AMerica u ask me) Im not racist I just hate to see my people having to FAKe or not be who they are. All because certain power, hungry biggots? NOPE I refuse to and I can't believe Hampton University out of all is making this a requirement?
Why are they so strict? I have plenty of people family included that are alumni and current students. I havent yet asked but I wonder how they feel about this.
Hampton University needs to lighten up I'm kind of glad Im going to CAU instead of HU now that I know where they stand people should be allowed to be themselves. I myself cant get locks but if I could I would have them they are unique and I think when their clean and long or short theyare pretty.
Plenty of people have made it with locks and braids. Susan Taylor the Editorial director one of romodels wears those Cornrows with that HUGE FOREHEAD! Niki Giovani, Alice Walker, Cousin JEff AKA Jeff Torres, Edmond Ashaw, Vanessa Williams, Malcolm Jamal Warner, Kim fields, and lots of other have locks and braids. All are doing good what is that u have to proove?
Why do they have to proove to Corporate America anything?
This is crazy to me I have love for all HBCU's but Hampton maybe u all should re think this
I could see if they had mullets or mohawks whic some are cute (if cut right) No bizarre wild George Clinton colors so whats the big deal?
I hope they rethink this they dont want to come off as a snobbish school they are a wonderful institution with great values.
I'm glad my sister graduated before she locked her hair lol
Hampton University, should know that this could and will effect not only on the students but their reputation as a HBCU.
business attire...........
5 Year MBA Majors.........
so if you are not a business major then whats the problem???
Thats what Hampton is all about..............
They tryin 2 get as FAR away from the "old Traditional **** school" as possible...........
Its not just Hampton, its everywhere. I heard a story about a Black woman Newanchor who was told that her hair was too ethnic and that it needed to be permed and straigthened. It's all about how white people want us to look. As close to them as possible. Hampton isn't alone to blame.
Hair is such a touchy subject, especially when dealing with Black females. Being someone who wears their hair natural, and I has done so my whole life, I think this is ridiculous. Not everyone's hair agrees with being straight all the time. I've tried presses and weaves and neither have made my hair very happy. I think at some point we have to stop making ourselves conform to one ideal of what is deemed acceptable. Unless Hampton was getting negative feedback from employers about this issue I don't see what the big deal is. The no cornrows I can agree with, only because I think they're childish, but I would be more concerned with extreme unnatural hair colors, and visible tattoos and piercings. As long as someone's hair is neat and clean, that's all that should matter.
hmmm... my old boss was the one who told me to cut my hair (it used to be kinda long)....
... and now that i think about it he's Hampton Alumni too... lol.
i can understand both sides to be honest, at least when it comes to a man's perspective. When it comes to men i don't think its more of a race thing than it is an issue of uniformity. In my experiences even white folk are discouraged from having long hair and usually keep it short and neat. I'm not discounting the race card completely but i think its more about that "professional" look which arguably has eurocentric roots still making it a race thing but on the surface it really isn't (this making any sense lol).
but like i said this is for men... i think women are in a whole nother ball park.
for example my boss didn't like my huge fro but he didn't have anything wrong with a small one or neat (short) locks. I was just too lazy to go that route so i cut it off.
Well yeah looking professional is one thing I agree that you should look professional cuz thats your postion of your career.
I dont agree with Braids cornrows but certain dredz I do some people look sophisticated like wearing glasses it adds an appeal and a buisness style. Long as theyre clean and neat I dont see the issue now some messed up cornrows I never got cornrows I ve seen Alicia Keys enough to know how they look. But when they get messy you hair fuzzy.
hair thats too long especially white people is unsanitary like too long of nails certain places wont let u have them. The hair still has not affected the way the person performs the job task. I understand its for professional reasons
you know what, I remember when I first heard about this rule at Hampton...and you know what, I agree with many of you, I dont think that we should have to conform.
BUT we do have to. I think that we should conform to get in on the inside and change things...but we cannot do that if we never get in...it ****...but hey, it's life.
I swear some people on this board just don't think before they type and would present themselves to be smarter if they just shut the hell up. They'll remain nameless only because I'm in a agood mood tonight. Nobody said anything about oppression or feeling oppressed and what that had to do with hair and how one chooses to wear it. To some people their hair is their personal expression and very important to them. This issue is much more important to women than it is to men. I plan to grow locks at some point and no its not because "my people have been soooo oppressed and I want to display that through my hair rebellion", its b/c I have seen a style I like and I think it would look nice on me. And that is a choice I should be able to make without having to worry about what my employer would think. Spend more time worrying about the quality of my work than what sits on top of my head.
