What does it mean to be called “professional”?
This was a question a young Black professional asked me during an event when she saw the legal battle between Barbers Hill School District and Darryl George, who was suspended from school because his dreadlock hairstyle violated his school dress code.
Judges eventually ruled that the CROWN Act did not protect his hair. But the decision left you thinking about what it means to be and look “appropriate” or “professional.”
Who determines what is professional? Who does it apply to? How do these standards impact Black folk and other marginalized communities?
I remember when I was preparing for a job interview for a media opportunity years ago. A recruiter called me to say that the hiring manager reviewed my portfolio and saw my online presence. Mind you, all of my pages were public, so there isn’t anything I believe was inappropriate. She continued to say that the manager wasn’t sure if I was severe enough for the position because of my online modeling work.
I was taken aback. I have a growing event emcee service, and part of my branding focuses on my personality and presence. That doesn’t take away from the work I knew I could do. If anything, it could have been a benefit to the organization. It was their loss, and I chose not to move forward with the interview because I’ll be damned if I’m going to change my image to fit into a box. And if journalists were paid well in local news, they wouldn’t have to resort to exploring multiple side hustles to thrive financially (That’s a story for another day).
Let’s just say this organization wasn’t a Black-owned newsroom. I felt that their definition of professionalism was used as a tool to police the appearance of people who look like me.
The construct goes deeper than just looks. It’s behavior expectations, too. I hated code-switching. Having to bite my tongue in certain situations when the vibes were off with co-workers, put up fake smiles so my resting b***h face wouldn’t show, and just be nice enough not to make my non-Black co-workers feel threatened because there is always that one Becky in every workplace. (If you know, you know).
With the current landscape, corporate leaders are showing their “dedication” to diversity, equity and inclusion efforts (especially on LinkedIn). However, do they have genuine intentions, or are they riding the wave like corporations did during the George Floyd protests? Are they trying to evolve or create an illusion of progress?
What can corporations do to show that they care?
For one, there should be mutual understanding and respect. Allow folks to think and move freely without all the additional stress of constructing a traditional workplace. Remove that pressure to conform, the pressure of code-switching. Create a safe space to self-advocate without fear of punishment or judgment.
What are your thoughts about what it means to be professional?
