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"braids, dreadlocks and other unusual hairstyles are not acceptable" is the policy for mba students at hampton university - an hbcu. what do you think?
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i can't believe that a black-run institution has a policy like this that hampers our cultural expression! |
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62%
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45
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i agree with the policy. especially for mba students. hampton is preparing the students for what it's actually going to be like in the business world. |
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16%
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12
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hampton - and corporate america - can implement whatever policy they want to. it's an individual's choice to subject him/herself to the policy or not. |
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22%
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16
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73 total votes
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current comments on this week's topic:
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This poll is locked!
14 Comments
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#1 anonymous:
On April 21, 2006 at 3:10 pm
I personally don't have a problem with the hairstyles, except they are not the reality of the real business world we live in.
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#2 K:
On April 21, 2006 at 3:58 pm
First, why are ethnic hairstyles, no matter how long someone has worn that type or how well groomed the style is, always labeled "unusual"? Are we really that brainwashed to believe that relaxers are acceptable and natural for women of color?Second, as a person whose deadlocks are eight years old, it is pathetic that a HBCU would perpetrate cultural discrimmination. Are women required to wear relaxers in order to prove their intelligence and professionalism? I will be attending a "white" university this fall for my MBA. How fortunate for me that my 4.0 grade point average and my professional experience in the business world makes me worthy of admittance. But Hampton would not be able to see past my ethnic beauty. I guess in their eyes, I am not acceptable.
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#3 Bernard:
On April 21, 2006 at 4:20 pm
It is Hampton's rule. If a student wants to attend great, if they don't agree with the policy, if they don't it is their choice not to attend.
It's a hair style, no big deal, get the MBA start your own business and "forget the dumb stuff" :-) (but you know what i really wanted to say).
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#4 Anonymous:
On April 21, 2006 at 4:25 pm
It is unfortunate that an HBCU would have this policy.....but it is the reality in the world we live in today. No matter what your resume looks like, in corporate America you are judged by appearances. You have to play the game first...then you can start changing the rules!
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#5 Anonymous:
On April 21, 2006 at 4:25 pm
Well I agree with #1 AND #3.....I think the policies stinks but they are a private institution and so I either like it, accept it and pay my tuition or I go somewhere else.
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#6 Anonymous:
On April 21, 2006 at 4:44 pm
I agree with the school's policy. In the corporate world, extreme hairstyles are rarely acceptable for any culture. If I ran a corporation, I'd want my employees to look professional. Now define professional - my definition might include dreads and braids, but how many black owned corporations are out there really? Reality check - we live in a white man's world. Long hair and mohawks are not allowed - why should we think there'd be a different standard for African Americans? What we should be focused on, more than expressing our culture through hair styles, is the number of blacks graduating from HU and how many of them will actually be able to FIND a job once they graduate (a professional haircut would probalby help in that department). Or more importantly, trying to lessen the disparity in pay between whites and blacks. Now there's something we should really be indignant about.
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#7 Yo:
On April 21, 2006 at 9:38 pm
Is it the hair that really makes one a PROFESSIONAL or acceptable enough to attend a particular school? And why are braids, locs...etc. considered "unusual"? What is so unusual about that? Is an Afro or Natural considered unusual? What...are we all supposed to be the same? Everyone is different. But for an HBCU to do this? There is no discrimination from Alumni or financial contributors who have "unusual" hair and they too may hold an MBA obtained from this institution of higher learning.
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#8 Evelyn:
On April 22, 2006 at 3:16 am
HU's policy seems to be designed to prepare their MBA students for the corporate culture. I've heard that golf is on the curriculum. Good on them for exposing the students to the expectations of the corporate world they want to inhabit, and giving them the best chance to succeed. Some will arrive there and learn that hairstyle is the least of the strictures that will chafe them, and will move on to apply their knowledge in other arenas.
For those prospective students who don't want to conform to certain codes of dress and conduct, there are other schools that offer MBA programs where they can wear their hair in any style of their choosing, and the white kids can wear shocking blue mohawks. But trust, on interview day, there won't be a blue mohawk in sight.
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#9 SG:
On April 22, 2006 at 5:03 am
Written in its current form, I do not support this policy for MBA students. As a result of earning a Masters degree and having worked in Corporate America for many years, I partially agree with the person who wrote “No matter what your resume looks like, in corporate America you are judged by appearances.” Yes, positive first impressions and appearances are extremely important; however, you are also judged by what you know and what you can deliver (translation: a solid resume).
It is IMPERATIVE to understand that if anyone chooses to pursue his/her cultural identity and individuality by way of hairstyle or any other outwardly form, KNOW that you will have to work even HARDER at 1) making “others” feel comfortable around you due to preconceived biases, 2) proving that you deserve the position and know what you’re doing (again due to preconceived biases), and 3) remaining true to your initial purpose for this style despite the questions and extra attention that you will get as a result of not “fitting in.”
I truly appreciate the brothers and sisters who choose to wear well-groomed braids, naturals, etc. One day maybe I’ll be bold enough to represent in this manner. The respect and appreciation of individuality is the essence of diversity on a global scale. I am shocked at this narrowly-sighted Hampton policy. The choice is yours….pay the tuition at Hampton knowing what’s expected or go elsewhere where diversity in all forms is appreciated and supported. God bless.
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#10 Ashley:
On April 22, 2006 at 11:26 am
I am a graduate of Hampton Univ. and this is embarrassing. I am ashamed be a Hampton Alumni.
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#11 Keli:
On April 22, 2006 at 1:57 pm
As a black woman that has worn my hair natural since 1999, I do not underdtand's the University's stance on this what-so-ever! I have worked for a fortune 500 company with an Afro (that I wore "kinky"). I currently work for a white-owned marketing firm, and I was rockin' my fro at the time I was hired. I feel that the university administrators that insituted this policy may be the ones that are unenlightened. God Bless!
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#12 Kenneth Himes:
On April 23, 2006 at 3:21 am
This is exactly what's wrong with Black America. We're to busy fighting the dumb and cosmetic battles (see Al Sharpton vs. The Boondocks) instead of the real ones. Hampton needs to focus on plans and ideas for helping students stay with their grad programs. I doubt that the MBA program at Hampton is the only one someone would have been accepted to anyway. Take your money and support somewhere else, screw Hampton. Case closed. Next.
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#13 Ms. M':
On April 28, 2006 at 1:10 am
My hair is natural. I'm a 40+ female and my best and highest paying jobs were obtained when I was not wearing braids or cornrows. Unfortunate but true. I call it my conservative "I need a job look". After being hired and displaying my talents, I always ask my white male boss what is o.k. (It's usually too late to matter). Now with wigs and weaves its easier to play the game. My uncle an entrepreneur, believed hair that can be combed is considered professional. He was also impressed by those of us who chose not to use CP time! Sorry!
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#14 anonymous:
On October 25, 2006 at 3:10 pm
Why is it that in the business world there are standards that have nothing to do with the success of businesses? Business minded individuals are required to take risk. By taking risk one is may learn from business decisons of the past and be what we in America call "creative." If people are required to be creative then that gives each business person who would like to be successful and take those risks his or her own unique characteristics. With all that being said, why would the business world require every applicant to look the same and dress the same? Is this not America "the melting pot" where all races are "free" to express themselves. This issue shows how racism and discrimination still is present in America. As a Business Major I will make it my goal to change this as Martin Luther King Jr. did. I have a dream that one day black men with dread locks will sit next to white men in the corporate office.
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