Do I have to wear a wig to get a job?
Early last year, my mom suggested that I wear a wig to job interviews because she thought my short haircut might hinder my chances of being employed in this tough economy.
Her rationale was simple. In her era, it’s a known fact that African-American women with short, natural haircuts turn hiring managers off because their appearance is threatening and less feminine. Regardless of the woman’s skills or personality, long, straight hair usually equates to beauty, intelligence, and success.
My initial response was:
Now mother, let’s not walk down that road again!
As I pondered her well intentioned recommendation, I thought to myself, we should discuss it. After all, your skills and personality are not the only attributes you’re judged on during an interview. In fact, your outward appearance may trump your skills at some companies.
From the soulful words of Stevie Wonder, thinking back on when I, was a little nappy headed girl, I reminded her of how she and my dad raised me in one of the most eclectic and nonconforming cities in the world, San Francisco. The city by the Bay exposed me to a wide swath of nationalities, lifestyles, and people of all economic statuses who expressed themselves in a variety of ways. While some of those ways in some societies today would turn a potential employer off, or worse, land them in jail, I’ve met too many people in my life who’ve not conformed for the sake of fitting in.
On the other hand, when confronted with competition from more than 9 million unemployed boomers, millennials, and my own Gen X comrades, perhaps now was the time to conform.
Ultimately, I decided not to wear a wig to the interview of my most recent position and was hired for what was in my head, not on top of it.
Have you ever conformed to fit into an organization’s culture, or, to be excepted by someone you thought wouldn’t find you desirable? If so, did it make you feel true to yourself or dishonest?
Should you follow McDonald’s if you’re a vegetarian?
Check out my latest blog post on my digital storytelling blog, BOUNCE, to find out how a potato farmer named Frank Martinez convinced a vegetarian to support McDonald’s.
Self-defense is a human right
Image Posted on
Know Your History, Know Your Future
This image, although graphic, aptly illustrates the unjust, brutal and hostile environment American Blacks lived in up until the middle of the 20th century. Mass public lynchings of people of color may no longer exist as a method of punishment in the U.S., however, the intent behind the act serves as a stark reminder for the rationale for bearing arms for self-defense.
Lynching of Laura and L.D. Nelson
As the controversial debate will no doubt rage on for years to come regarding the policy implications of gun control and the right to bear arms, I think it’s important to add another context to the discussion. My husband and I stumbled across the documentary “No Guns for Negroes” today and I wanted to share it because it provides insight about the history of the discriminatory federal and state gun control policies that’s long been apart of America’s history.
If you have an hour or so to spare, you may also want to watch Bill Duke’s made-for-cable movie about the history of the Deacons for Defense. Formed in the 1960’s as a self-defense segment of the Black Power movement, Deacons for Defense were law abiding citizens who advocated for the right to defend their property, family and lives with arms (when necessary).
Related Articles
MLK’s Arsenal and the Racists Roots of Gun Control in the U.S.
Let’s Bounce!
Greetings and Happy New Year!
I’m excited to announce the launch of Bounce, the official blog for my burgeoning content marketing consulting firm, Bahafis Creative. Inspired by the Pinterest boards I’ve been curating for the company over the last few weeks, Bounce is a space where you can discover ideas, novel approaches, and tools regarding the growing field of content marketing.
So, what is content marketing? Some new fandangled phrase for marketing and PR.
Kinda sorta. In a nut shell, it’s all the stuff used to tell a brand’s story. For example, when you land on a company’s website, Facebook fan page, Twitter feed, video, or blog, the goal is to encourage visitors to stay for a spell by giving them a reason to learn more about the organization’s brand, people, values, mission, products, and services. The content marketing tactics used vary widely, however, those with the most bang for your buck fall into the following categories (at least for now):
- blogs
- stories (i.e., article, infographic, slideshows, etc.)
- videos (i.e., mini-documentaries, webisodes)
- eNewsletters
- social media (i.e, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest)
- events (in-person and virtual)
If done well, visitors will be so enticed by the compelling, witty, and versatile sights and sounds of the company’s many stories, they’ll eventually show their appreciation by engaging in some sort of way (i.e., a Facebook like or comment; a Twitter follow or RT; a blog repost or comment, eNewsletter subscription, eBook download, product/service purchase, etc.).
For an interesting take on how content marketing has been and continues to be used to ignite one legendary hip-hop group’s brand and keep fans tuned-in, bounce to my post Wu-Tang Clan Personifies Content Marketing.
Thanks for reading and I wish you a peaceful, positive, and productive new year and beyond. Now let’s bounce!
bahafis 