Visually Prepared...

Appearance has been an ongoing theme in many of my conversations this past week...
The first one, one Tuesday, a co-worker asked if I spent a lot of time on my 'Look'...
'Looking' at her I asked what she meant,
She told me that I was always pulled together...never falling apart...
I thanked my ancestors...
I told her that no I spent very little time on my "Look",
Though I did believe in being "Visually Prepared"...
"Visually Prepared" for what, she asked...
For whatever...
I told her that I had been raised by people, who told us that first impressions were important,
And could hardly ever be changed...
I can remember, as a kid, being outside playing and if we were going somewhere,
My mom would call us inside to 'spruce us up', wash our faces, rebraid our hair, change our clothing if necessary....before she took us anywhere...
We were taught when we were going to school, on interviews or to work,
To look our very best, because while surely what we knew and what our credentials were,
Were more important, that many times people couldn't see or hear that if they couldn't get past the surface...sad but true...
I have seen so many young, qualified people not get hired because of very superficial things,
Baggy, unironed clothing, purple hair, too much makeup or jewelry...and often times they had great credentials, but the potential employer never got to know that...
One of my biggest challenges as a Job Corps Counseler was getting my kids prepared to go on interviews after they had been educated and vocationally trained,
Many just couldn't accept that they had to dress or carry themselves in a certain way to be hired, or even taken seriously...it was as my elders said, 'A tough row to hoe.'
Another person said, "Angelia, I can never tell what is going on in your life from the way you look."
HUhhh...
She elaborated by saying, "Well with many people, if they are sad, mad or something is awry, it shows in their appearance. But not you, either your life is always together or you never let them see you sweat."
"It's all a part of the preparation and the workplace is not the place for showing sadness, madness or any other thing. If I am going through something to that extent, I will stay home..."
'Oh, Okay...' She walked away, smoothing her hair...
What I know is, fair or unfair, we are all judged on our appearances and that in order to get in the game and make a difference we have to be prepared, educationally, credentially, personality and sometimes visually...
We may not like it, but it is what it is...

Blessings,
angelia