4 African Things That Should Stop Being Considered Unprofessional

I have recently transitioned to natural hair and it has been an enjoyable rollercoaster. It has however, come to my attention that rocking natural hair comes with its own set of challenges. I had heard about the challenges those who choose to rock anything African but I began to experience a few issues when it came to professional set-ups. After a few conversations with a couple of friends who have had similar challenges, I realized we still have quite a long way to go in accepting who we are as Africans.

1. The Afro

Afros were fashionable in the 70s and 80s and most of us have pics of our parents rocking their fros and bellbottoms. At some point in the 90s, the tide turned and the in thing became straight hair. Most of us grew up with relaxed hair as the norm and natural hair was considered ‘shady’. The last five years have seen a renewed interest in natural hair and every day there are more and more people rocking their natural hair. Unfortunately, natural hair is still considered unprofessional. This is a symptom of unresolved colonialism issues.

2. African Fabric/Print

Kitenge, dashiki, ankara among others have been dorned by Africans on and off the continent for generations. Strangely though in Kenya, they are relegated to weddings and church services. Try rocking your African print to the office (unless it’s casual Friday) and see the looks of disapproval you will get.

3. African piercings and tribal markings

Piercings are already generally a problem even in the west, so the issue is compounded when it’s an African piercing or tribal marking. I can imagine the looks someone with a lip plate or expanded ear pieces or stretched earlobes would get in an office setting.

4. Dreadlocks

This one has been discussed and discussed but is still an issue for some. Dreads have been associated with drugs and uncleanliness for decades. Recent times have seen the adoption of dreads into the mainstream but there are still places that you can’t work while still rocking dreads.

As Africans, and especially as Kenyans, we have a lot of work to do when it comes to self-acceptance. We need to ask ourselves whose standard of professionalism we are adhering to and why we feel the need to continue to adhere to it. Why our hair and clothes are not good enough to be considered professional while we quickly and unquestioningly adopt other elements of other people’s culture as the right way to be.

I look forward to the day when a newscaster can proudly read the news with her natural hair and not have it be considered avant garde. Surely, how can the hair that grows out of your head be considered a fashion fad?

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