*Hold up there young man! Where you going wit dem dreads in yo’ hair?
Huh? What?
Hampton University’s business school dean is standing by a controversial ban on dreadlocks and cornrows for some students, reports David Ham of 13News (WVEC) in Virginia.
Male students enrolled in the school’s 5-year MBA program who take the seminar class cannot wear dreadlocks or cornrows in class.<
The ban, which began in 2001, has been controversial over the years.
“I don’t think it shouldn’t matter what the hairstyle. It’s my life. I should be able to do whatever I want to do,” said incoming freshman Uriah Bethea, who wears dreadlocks and says he wouldn’t compromise his look for a class.
“I would just find another major,” he added.
Business School Dean Sid Credle believes the ban has been effective in helping his students land corporate jobs.
“We’ve been very successful. We’ve placed more than 99 percent of the students who have graduated from this school, this program,” said Credle.
“These students choose to be in this program and aspire to be leaders in the business world. We model these students after the top African-Americans in the business world,” said HU spokesperson Naima Ford.
Credle said it’s important for students to look the part when looking for a job.
Read/learn more at 13News/WVEC.
Watch this video report:
This is a touchy subject. The school has it’s right to make whatever rules it wants. You don’t
like the rules of the program? Don’t join. In the article posted one student wouldn’t conform and just said he would find another major. Problem solved.
People can deny this all they want, but there is such thing as a “corporate look”. It know we all take pride in our hair (at least I do) but sometimes that can hinder you. Do I agree with it? No I don’t. I feel should a person be qualified their hair shouldn’t hinder a person from hiring them. As long as your hair is neat and kept it shouldn’t be a problem. Unless you have your own business you might have a hard time wearing your hair in certain styles.
I work in a corporate setting and I don’t see any men/women with dreads. I do see women with cornrows.
Another reason why black folks should go into business for themselves. Anytime you are working for a corporation, they want their employees to have a conservative look. Instead of having tunnel vision and go work for someone else, perhaps it is time to work for yourself. That way, even if you cut your hair for the program, you can grow it back after graduating as you create your own small business.
Being a woman of a certain age, dreads never appealed to me, while they still don’t, I’ve grown accustomed to it. Although, the dreads on the guy pictured? look unkempt. And Dean Sid is right, when it’s been a part of A/A culture? Express yourself AFTER you graduate and are successful, this glitch surprisingly can cost you.
I meant : when has it been a part of A/A culture
I asked myself the same question— when did dreadlocks become part of our culture? I have not been able to find any pictures pre-1980′s of folks wearing the style in the US. I’m on the fence wit this one. I do know that it is easier for a woman to enter a corporate setting with the hairstyle than a man.
I’m pretty sure it’s hard to quantify how much “hair” played a role in them being hired rather than the education the school provided. The reason this still exists is because the student body hadn’t protested it.
Locs and braids can be worn in neat styles. I wonder what the rule is for AA women. I guess you are forced to put all manner of harmful chemicals on your head if you want to get ahead? Are afros (of any style and neatness) and short natural styles ok? But anyone else with naturally straight hair can wear their hair just as it comes out of their head?
This double standard is not acceptable. I’m not good with the fact that Becky can get up in the morning and just run a comb through her natural hair and come to work and be completely accepted but if I show up with my natural hair (that is neatly combed but not straight) somehow I’m making a statement or look out of place. I don’t consider it conforming if I have to change (chemically or otherwise) the natural curl pattern of my hair to fit in – I consider that discrimination. AA women had to fight to gain acceptance of the corn row style in the workplace – the battle goes on – now it’s locs and other natural styles that will win acceptance eventually.
I thought this dreadlocks, braids ban at Hampton was squashed years ago. I feel this band is messed up coming from a Black college. All this dean is doing getting Black students to drop how they are (dreads, cornrows, etc.) and comform to White corporate america. Just like NYCsoul says, Black people should go into business for themselves and Blacks can wear dreads or whatever is Black oriented.
Chris- I disagree. There is nothing from preventing the students from starting their own business or wearing the hair however they like. The latter was stated in the video. Have you ever held a job for a major US company?