A big thank you to everyone who supported #blackandgoldrush.
Sincerely,
Gregory Simmons '04
Vice President for Institutional Advancement
What does it mean to dress professionally? How about business casual? What’s the difference? Why is this so difficult??? If you’ve asked yourself these questions, you’re certainly not alone. One of the most difficult things about transitioning into the professional world is figuring out how to dress like a professional. I’m still figuring out the best way “professional dress” works for me, and even though there are some basic rules, your professional style can be just as unique as your personal style! If you want to help out your fellow students with their business attire, be sure to donate your professional clothes for the UMBC Suits You: Professional Clothing Drive with multiple donation stations set up across campus until March 8th. And as always, please feel free to comment any opinions or ideas you may have.
I’d like to preface these tips by saying that the standard rules for business attire are pretty set in traditional gender roles, so even though I’m giving you the basics, you should be able to express yourself through your attire in a way that makes you feel comfortable and confident!
Shoes: your shoes should be closed-toed, and the heel should not be very high - the last thing you want is to stumble and fall on your way into the interview. Flashy colors or sparkle aren’t recommended, because you don’t want the employer staring at your feet the whole time!
Bottoms: The biggest thing here is simply don’t wear jeans. A lot of “dress pants” come in a huge variety of styles, so as long as they fit properly and match with the rest of your outfit, you’re probably fine. Your bottoms should be full length, and definitely shouldn’t be shorter than capri length. Generally, if you are wearing dress pants, you should also be wearing a belt. Skirts and dresses should hit around the knee (even better if they have pockets!)
Tops: There’s a lot of flexibility here. Recommendations would be to have a collared shirt with buttons, a nice blouse, and a blazer if you’re really feeling it. Doing some research about the company can also go a long way, because some companies have stricter dress codes than others.
Accessories: This is another area where I really don’t want to discourage your personal style, so all I can say is don’t make it distracting. If you want to wear a spiffy bowtie or a statement necklace, go for it! But first, get in the mind of the employer: could this be distracting? Will they be blinded by the glint of your jewelry instead of listening to what you have to stay? This is important to consider.
DISCLAIMER: You should not feel the need to censor your attire in a way that masks your religious affiliation or national origin, and discrimination based on creed, religion, or nationality is against the law. For more information, read UMBC’s Statement on Non-Discrimination.
The main takeaway here is that business attire doesn’t have to be that restricting. There is a certain level of modesty that is expected, but you should still be able to show off your personality. If you still have questions, you should attend the Adjust Your Mirror: Dress to Impress Workshop on March 26th in Commons 331. These tips are simply guidelines to follow, because the way you dress should not be the thing between you and your dream job.
HOUSING SELECTION IS WARMING UP!
Welcome to UMBC Residential Life’s 2018 Housing Selection! This process will allow you to choose a room to live in on campus next year. Our system is fully online and will allow you to participate in Housing Selection using your smartphone, tablet, or any computer. Just apply, connect, and select to cover your bases!
The first 500 students to apply will receive a Residential Life hat – wow!
What’s the scoop for Housing Selection 2018…
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Research Basics
Understanding Sources
Finding Resources
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Educating yourself and being yourself: the dangers of cultural appropriation by Harini, a student intern.
I was the only brown kid at my school until ninth grade. Growing up in a town I once described as “never realized the Union won the Civil War,” it was no surprise that all my friends were white. I was careful to conceal any aspects of me that did not mirror their own personalities, effectively whitewashing myself. I laughed along with their mockery of desi culture, its gaudy outfits and pungent foods, all the while ignoring the guilt and defiance that part of me felt at hearing my own culture ripped apart by people who had none of their own.
Once I reached high school and began making friends with people from similar backgrounds to me, I realized the error in my ways and embraced my heritage with a group of people who respected and shared my culture. I packed the foods I liked to school, and posted pictures of me, donned in traditional clothes, to social media for the world to see.
Around that time, American culture began to shift. Suddenly, the ingredients in our foods that were once considered ugly and smelly were now labelled “superfoods,” and they were all the rage. Our jewelry was considered the epitome of fashion, despite being practically taboo not too long ago. This led me to the question: why is something considered acceptable only after Western cultures adopt it? People have been wearing naths and eating turmeric for centuries, so why was it suddenly considered a trend? Moreover, why was it a trend to begin with, when the sole reason the elements of our culture exist with a meaning and value that was being completely disregarded by Western culture?
Actress Sonam Kapoor wears a nath on the red carpet.
I grew angry each time I would see someone that once made fun of desi culture wearing bindis for Instagram. This was a piece of Hindu culture that was symbolic, and it was being reduced to a costume. For these people, this was an expression of appreciation, because apparently there was no better compliment to a culture than the validation of a westernized person. There was no consideration that disregarding the meaning behind these things (whether they are intended for brides, as a mark of celebration, etc.) was offensive.
However, white people are not the only ones guilty of doing this. Non-desi people of color often see their non-whiteness as a free pass to appropriating cultures outside their own. Desis are guilty of appropriating other cultures as well, so no ethnic group is entirely free of this offense. The entertainment industry is the worst offender, with a history of using blackface to depict villains and demons unscrupulously.
Of course, appreciation of a culture is acceptable. For example, eating ethnic food, consuming media, and learning a new language are all forms of appreciation that are inoffensive.
When a person uses an element of a culture they do not belong to as a costume while ignoring the ethnic, national, or religious significance of said element, they are appropriating a culture. Appropriation is not just about material items. It can take different forms, like stealing opportunities that should belong to people of an ethnic group or religion. This is seen too often in Hollywood, with white actors playing roles that represent people of color, with (see Matt Damon playing a Chinese general in The Great Wall). White actors find themselves under fire for accepting roles depicting Asian characters that are heroic and central to the story, while actual Asian actors are too often offered minor roles that exist for comedic effect or to create a backdrop for the important white characters. The way in which the West regards Eastern culture is dubbed “Orientalism,” a concept that has come to possess a negative connotation only because it reflects said perception.
Furthermore, brown actors are used interchangeably, regardless of their ethnicity. A recent example of this is the casting for the live-action Aladdin movie, in which Naomi Scott, a biracial actress of Indian descent, is playing Jasmine, the princess of the fictional Agrabah, which is canonically located in the Middle East. So, why are brown people seen as transposable? Why is our culture regarded as easy?
Bridging the gap between Western ideals and pride in one’s heritage is in the hands of brown peoples’ white peers and the media. Looking back on my journey as a brown girl growing up in small-town Pennsylvania, I can see my growth from someone who tried too hard to imitate her white friends, to someone who is unashamed of who she is. Much of that personal development came from being receptive and open to criticism. Often, people don’t realize their actions are offensive because of how common appropriation is. Ignorance is a slippery slope, so being informed is vital, as is holding others accountable for their actions. Learning the difference between appreciation and appropriation is the first step to respecting all cultures and regarding them as equal.
Below are some articles about recent instances of brown culture appropriation and orientalism:
What is Orientalism, and how is it also racism?
Gucci accused of culturally appropriating Sikh turban
Coachella Queen Vanessa Hudgens Loves Cultural Appropriation
Zara comes under fire for cultural appropriation
In ‘The Problem With Apu,’ Hari Kondabolu Discusses South Asian Representation
]]>Each student at UMBC can play a role in shaping our campus culture, and this is one important way you can help.
If you have questions about the purpose or content of the survey, please contact me at bhoye@umbc.edu. Additionally, if you have technical difficulties taking the survey, please email climatesurvey@eab.com.