"In ancient Egypt, as well as Turkey and India, the beard was regarded as a sign of dignity and wisdom. Beards continued into the Greek civilization until the 4th cent. B.C., when Alexander the Great ordered his soldiers shaved. The Romans, however, actually introduced the practice of regular shaving. The belief that the beard denotes wisdom was widespread in ancient China, and the cult of the beard has been dominant in Middle Eastern cultures from ancient times to the recent past. As a symbol of virility and status, the beard has often acquired religious significance. Muhammad enjoined his followers to grow beards; the Sikhs of India are not permitted to remove a single hair from their bodies; and the patriarchs of the tribes of Israel were bearded."
So the last time I checked, I, nor anyone I know, worked for Alexander the Great or and of the Caesars of the Roman Empire. So when did something revered as a sign of wisdom, strength, and virility become a "may I see you in my office" or cause to never seem to get that deserved promotion? Don't get me wrong, I understand that professions that are 'customer-facing' want their employees to represent a tidy and well put together image, but at what point was it decided that well groomed facial hair was untidy? Perhaps it's more societal rather than strictly corporate, and big business is just following suit. Or perhaps big business sets the overall flow of societal views. Or perhaps elephants on Mars are red. I haven't a clue, but believe it to be wrong.
I myself have only shaved my mustache off once since it began to grow and have NEVER completely shaved off the goatee. For some I guess it's a sense of "self". The same concept as some who were certain types of clothing to express themselves. In conversations with my father a while back during my HORRIBLE stent in corporate america, he'd mentioned that a lot of black men in particular had issue shaving that which they prided so much. For many black men... excuse me... for MOST black men, the task of 'competing' is already healthy task. Having to score higher on tests in college in order to get the same recognition from companies as peers who may have scored lower but have a higher 'hue'; having to come in earlier and leave later to receive equal recognition from "melanin-deficient" managers; having to sit quietly while less qualified candidates get hired on into positions above yours, candidates that all seem to share one particular likeness. After all of this, the notion of shaving one's prided man whiskers could be a bit much.
This says nothing toward those who prefer to be clean shaven. Merely a request that it not be used as a reason to bar what could potentially be the most qualified candidate. Should there be limitations? Perhaps. But more focus should be placed on the actual work the employee does.
What are your thoughts?
Love Up
No comments:
Post a Comment