How do you deal with white coworkers and ethnic hairstyles??

Sammy214

Sammy214

Well-Known Member
On Saturday I had senagelese twists put in my hair, the first of many for the winter months. Since I cut my hair in February I've been extremely self conscious about my hair... its growing back good but it's at that awkward stage now. Most of the time it's just co-washed and smooth down with a headband, so the twists is definitely a new look... but now tell me why when I walk into the office one if my white male coworkers called me a "sellout" and "fakey" not once, but repeatedly. I'm annoyed as hell, but responded only by telling him that he should educate himself on black hair before calling me a "sellout".
Am I gonna have to endure this type of mess every time I wear a style that does not fit the ideal office hairstyle?
 
Wait a white coworker called you a sellout?! What is his reasoning behind this? I would go to HR immediately. Is he crazy? You don't have to "deal" with them and what they think of your hair. You are there to work nothing else.

I'm seeing red over that guy!
 
I dont understand how wearing your hair in twists relates to the word 'sellout'? Take his raggedy behind straight to HR.
 
How are you a sell out? I don't get it. Tell him if he has nothing nice to say don't say anything at all. Common sense!
 
Sammy214 said:
Am I gonna have to endure this type of mess every time I wear a style that does not fit the ideal office hairstyle?
Click to expand...

Nope.
Tell him once and then contact HR if it continues.

Some people get all extra comfortable at work sometimes and forget that they can & will be reported when out of line.
 
Yeah, I don't get it either. Seems to me that Senegalese twists scream a run toward Africa, not away from it. He's out of line. HR!!!!
 
Was he joking? I'd have a talk with him about it and if it reoccurs go to HR or EEO and open a case. That's totally uncalled for and he needs to stay in his place.

Please excuse my iPhone
 
Sammy214 said:
On Saturday I had senagelese twists put in my hair, the first of many for the winter months. Since I cut my hair in February I've been extremely self conscious about my hair... its growing back good but it's at that awkward stage now. Most of the time it's just co-washed and smooth down with a headband, so the twists is definitely a new look... but now tell me why when I walk into the office one if my white male coworkers called me a "sellout" and "fakey" not once, but repeatedly. I'm annoyed as hell, but responded only by telling him that he should educate himself on black hair before calling me a "sellout".
Am I gonna have to endure this type of mess every time I wear a style that does not fit the ideal office hairstyle?
Click to expand...


Um, no. :nono: That is workplace harassment. If he keeps it up, I'd go straight to HR. This is not because he is white. It's because he's an idiot...*choice word said in my head*. None of my white co-workers ever had something so negative to say. Why is he commenting on your hair anyway? Are yall friendly?
 
Froreal3 said:
Um, no. :nono: That is workplace harassment. If he keeps it up, I'd go straight to HR. This is not because he is white. It's because he's an idiot...*choice word said in my head*. None of my white co-workers ever had something so negative to say. Why is he commenting on your hair anyway? Are yall friendly?
Click to expand...


We're office friendly... so i wouldn't expect him to say something like that.
 
Saludable84 said:
Was he joking? I'd have a talk with him about it and if it reoccurs go to HR or EEO and open a case. That's totally uncalled for and he needs to stay in his place.

Please excuse my iPhone
Click to expand...
I believe he was joking, but where i'm from, a peson's true feeling are often said as a joke.
 
yaya24 said:
Nope.
Tell him once and then contact HR if it continues.

Some people get all extra comfortable at work sometimes and forget that they can & will be reported when out of line.
Click to expand...
This... Now i'll be feeding him with a long handled spoon.
 
For some reason the first thing that came to my mind is that maybe you told him that you cut your hair and will like to stay natural without extensions. Else how would whitey call you a sellout because your hair looked different?
Seems like there is more to the story especially since you were office friends.
 
Lurkee said:
For some reason the first thing that came to my mind is that maybe you told him that you cut your hair and will like to stay natural without extensions. Else how would whitey call you a sellout because your hair looked different?
Seems like there is more to the story especially since you were office friends.
Click to expand...

I cut my earlier this year and was still with the company that i'm presently at, everyone at work know's how i am with regards to my hair as i damn near had a nervous breakdown after i cut it.. it was a decision that i was not happy with once i had done it... if you look at my last post from March you will get a better understanding. He and I are office friendly as i stated prior, not office "friends" meaning we joke about office stuff, attend office functions as a group, but we do not deal on a personal level.

He overstepped his boundaries and that's the bottom line.. no back story, it is what it is.

Edited to correct my dates.
 
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He's a fool. How you choose to wear your hair is your business. I would probably tell him off then go complain to HR just in case.
 
SuchaLady said:
WTH! I actually became angry reading this! He has some nerve and was way out of line.
Click to expand...

Thank you. I was thinking earlier if I was over reacting to his comments, since I am so sensitive about my hair, but I don't think so. His comments really crawled under my skin.
 
Sammy214 said:
On Saturday I had senagelese twists put in my hair, the first of many for the winter months. Since I cut my hair in February I've been extremely self conscious about my hair... its growing back good but it's at that awkward stage now. Most of the time it's just co-washed and smooth down with a headband, so the twists is definitely a new look... but now tell me why when I walk into the office one if my white male coworkers called me a "sellout" and "fakey" not once, but repeatedly. I'm annoyed as hell, but responded only by telling him that he should educate himself on black hair before calling me a "sellout".
Am I gonna have to endure this type of mess every time I wear a style that does not fit the ideal office hairstyle?
Click to expand...

What in the world??? :ohwell::ohwell::ohwell: I would have immediately let him know that he is out of line, I didn't appreciate him saying that, and if he tried me again I would be speaking to HR.

I've never had any issues with any of my hairstyles around white people. They tend to give me many compliments on my hair. I have been lucky enough to not run into the stupid ones. I've gotten some that are curious and want to know how I achieve a certain style, but I have never experienced what you did. That's not okay.
 
I am so mad for you. Since that stupid Chris Rock movie, I have noticed some white people consider every type of extensions, even braid and twists, as 'trying to fit a European standard.' I hate that documentary for all the misinformation it spewed and how it allows if ignorant people feel like they are well informed about something when they are not.

When I had braids earlier this year, a coworker jokingly asked me if I knew how many Indian women donated the hair I used. I told him unless Indian women's hair is synthetic none. SMH. Next time he "jokes", you need to "jokingly" ask him what about this style named after an African country indicates selling out.
 
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Um ... I don't. It's never been an issue. Today's white people are getting too bold, apparently. We need to instill fear again.
 
Are you sure he isn't a high yellow black person parading as a white person? Any who that's not normal so you don't have to expect it all the time.
 
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