Thanks for sharing this, Renee!

The hair question (among other things) can be extremely bothersome. In my current office, I can count all the Black women on one hand. When I first started here I was the only one wearing my hair natural. On one occasion, one of the staff tried to grab for it as she complimented me. I usually wear a twist-out but that day I was wearing it in a high puff. I leaned away from her hand and I still remember saying how “your hair looks more elegant this way!” I haven’t had much of a problem since then, but it may be because I’ve essentially made myself invisible at work.

But it does pose a bigger issue. As you stated, there’s more emphasis in being perceived as diverse and inclusive than there is actually being that way in most offices. Great read!