Does everyone feel like they can be themselves or rock their natural hair or do you have to act and look more like a conservative professional? I always thought I had to act like my white counterparts and keep my hair short and beard well kept but I have noticed more and more attorneys of color rocking their natural hair or having dreads and I wish I could be that brave.

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I’m of the mindset that change happens when we do. If we want more inclusive environments, we have to turn them into that because that’s the only way it’ll happen anyway.

You are not your white counterparts and never will be. So accept that and live as you please. I show up fully as myself — natural hair, wigs, braids, tattoos, big hoops, multiple rings, nails with nail art, etc. — and I’m better at my job because I’m not pretending to be someone I’m not. That level of confidence, coupled with the fact that I know my sh!t in my practice area, has no doubt contributed to my success thus far.

So at the end of the day, the day gotta end. JK. But seriously, we can’t live for everyone else. Do what makes you happy because it’ll free every other part of yourself and you’ll be a better person overall for it. I hope that one day you can push past your fear and “be that brave.” You owe it to yourself.

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I used to straighten my hair when I was an associate cause the partner I worked for made it very clear in her micro aggressive way that she saw it as feminine and polished.

When the pandemic started I went natural, left the firm and never looked back.

Reality is they want you to conform BUT once you prove your value you can do what you want. Or you can come out the gate with an IDGAF mindset and just live.

They’ll find a thousand and one other ways to make you feel like you don’t belong there. Just live for yourself and focus on your work.

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I rock my hair any way I’d like and don’t think too much about it.

I don’t believe a certain look makes you black. You are black regardless of what you do. We all assimilate to some degree but that’s just professionalism. We shouldn’t confuse our hair not being straight with professionalism.

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