GoogleMustKNow : IS NATURAL HAIR UNPROFESSIONAL?-(Part 1)

IS NATURAL HAIR UNPROFESSIONAL?

The following ladies represent Botswana

1. WHO AM I?

My name is Lady Bawss, I am from the beautiful land of Botswana. I started my natural hair journey last year when I realized how damaging relaxers were for my hair. Part of my decision was also influenced by seeing how gorgeous natural hair looked on other girls. I would get serious ‘hair envy’, Lol! So I was curious to see how mine would grow out and how I’d look too. I have a hair and beauty channel on YouTube  as well as a lifestyle blog 

NOTE TO GOOGLE:

Dear Google

I came across disturbing news that you think my natural hair is unprofessional. I didn’t really believe it until I checked it for myself. “Wow!” I thought. Not only was I disappointed but I was hurt. Why should my Afro hair be straight to look ‘professional’?

In case you did not know, that ‘unprofessional’ hair is the way my hair grows out naturally and unaltered. The only way I can look ‘professional’ is if I destroy my natural curl pattern through the use of a relaxer every 5 or so weeks. Mind you this could result in burning the scalp if Ieft on for too long, it could also cause hair loss and breakage. If you don’t believe me google it, ‘Relaxers gone wrong’.

Most of us ‘unprofessional’ have had a bad relaxer experience at some point in our lives. It’s not uncommon to be burnt by a relaxer. When I was younger the relaxer had burnt my scalp so badly, I had large and excruciatingly painful sores all over my scalp. Not only was it embarrassing, it was so bad that when I put my head on a pillow to sleep or hit a sore by mistake I would be in tears most of the night from the agony. So now I have to go through all this in order to look ‘professional’? Haha! You clearly have a sense of humour Google.

IS NATURAL HAIR UNPROFESSIONAL?

I think my natural hair looks pretty damn good and pretty damn professional. Its full of body, it’s luscious and it’s mine. My hairs versatility continually surprises me. When Jessie Williams said we are magic, it is definitely no lie. Having hair that defies gravity, hair that can shrink up to 65% of its length sure sounds like magic to me. So Google, stop hating on hair you do not understand. Just because it is different should not make it unprofessional. As I end my little rant, l look forward to seeing natural hair images on your ‘professional’ list .

2. From AfroMoriri

WHO AM I?

My name is Daffodils McKay and I’m a passionate natural hair blogger residing in Johannesburg, South Africa. However, originally, my family is from Botswana and that’s where I spent most of my school years and upbringing. I found love, passion and excitement for natural hair by accidentally damaging my hair through the extended use of heat. Due to the damage, my hair ended up literally falling off as I touched and combed it, so I was compelled to cut the hair to brush cut level and start afresh. Since that day, which was in Sep 2011 I haven’t chemically treated my hair; and I’ve consequently learnt to care for my natural hair; although the right (healthy) regimen for my hair only started in May 2014. I only actively pursued the journey of researching how to maintain healthy natural hair late 2013. So in May 2014 I was well equipped about this topic from YouTube and other bloggers, so made a decision to start caring for my hair properly. My social media accounts providing healthy hair habits/tips for African kinky hair are my blog: afromoriri.blogspot.com. Instagram: @afromoriri, Facebook: AfroMoriri and Twitter: @afromoriri .

NOTE TO GOOGLE:

Google doesn’t have enough knowledge or portrayal of natural African hair. When one searches for such hair, most of the search results show women with hair extensions, ancient/exotic tribes or the classic afro style. While it’s ok to show hair styles of braided hair, I think Google should understand that in Africa, natural hair exists before it is braided, weave’d, or wig’d. Additionally, natural African hair is broader than just exotic tribal hairstyles or the classic Afro.Therefore I’d recommend more photos showing actual hair in its variations (dreadlocks, plaits, afros, etc) as well as for different settings (formal, casual, arty, professional etc) and origins (tribal, traditional, historic, fashion etc) . Understandably, there never used to be enough bloggers, You Tubers etc who helped showcase natural African hair in its various states of styling and existence. But we now live in an era where Google should be up to date with the latest trends and therefore update their search results accordingly. Furthermore, natural African hair is celebrated in both genders, so it would be worthwhile to show results for both men & women. To illustrate, taking a look at African men, they wear their hair in dreadlocks, afros, brush cuts etc. Having results that portray that truth will help more eyes understand what
African natural hair at grass root level really looks like. Men also celebrate and style their natural African hair. Based on this, Google should show the norm of real communities, real life and real ways of living that masses can identify with.

IS NATURAL HAIR UNPROFESSIONAL?

Once Google realizes its role to society as an information provider, bearing in mind my suggestions in point 2 above; then Google can go another mile in helping correct the delusion that natural hair in women of color is unprofessional for the workplace. How can the very strands that  grow out of my head, in the shape and form genetically awarded to me by nature be unprofessional? Is this not discrimination just as bad as one based on color of the skin? Why should I be forced by corporate rules and platforms like Google to chemically straighten my hair so as to be regarded as professional looking? #GoogleMustKnow that it’s search engine discriminates and gives a false version of the truth about black natural hair, and therefore must update its algorithms. It’s unacceptable to still have such search results in the day and age we are in!!

Source: http://www.oliviazjournal.com/2016/07/18/googlemustknow-is-natural-hair-unprofessional-part-1/