The other day I was in a diner in downtown Atlanta, looking out through the window across from me at the people walking by on the sidewalk. This one lady caught my eye, her hair this vibrant, deep purple that I regret not taking my phone out to take a picture of. Instead I mouthed to her through the glass that I loved her hair, to which she mouthed a 'thank you' back.

I have been contemplating the last few weeks what I want to do with my hair -- style and color. When I saw the purple color of her hair, in my mind I was like "Yes! I want that." Then I paused as I realized that I couldn't. I can't have a vibrant hair color of my choice if I want to land a "real" job. It hasn't and won't be the last time that I have this thought. It's a hindrance that our creativity faces when seeking employment. My mind thought back to this time I was reading through one of my old employer's handbook and seeing how hair color that is considered "unnatural" is not allowed, even something as simple as Ariel (from 'The Little Mermaid') red. The sad truth is that I know for certain that they aren't the only establishment with that rule. It's not their fault. It's the stigma that society has created against unnatural hair color and even tattoos.

A feeling of regret starts to build in me every time I consider coloring my hair an "exotic" color, wishing that I would have done it earlier in my life. Looking back, I realize that I never really could either. There has always been an obstacle, whether it'd be the school system, employment, or family that looks down on it.

I like to view dyeing your hair different colors or inking your skin as a form of creative expression. I dislike that it's a form of creativity that has to be covered up and hidden from the world for the sake of a professional job. I remember this teacher that I used to have who always wore long-sleeve button ups, even when it was boiling hot outside. I had always wondered why, and it wasn't until one day when he rolled back his sleeves that I discovered the reason. There, rested on his forearm was this large tattoo of a musical instrument --- and I thought no less of him. By asking someone to cover the art that paints their skin, you are literally asking them to hide away their creativity.

Let's illustrate a scenario here. You are a straight-A student, on the President's list at your university, and involved in many extracurricular activities. Your résumé must look pretty great, right? Now let's say you go and color your hair aqua and let the multiple tattoos scattered across your body show. Are you suddenly incompetent? Of course not. But an employer who does not know who you are, your skills, or your level of intelligence may take one look at you and think that you are --- and that's not right.

I understand that it may not appear as 'professional', but why not? It's simply a different hair color. It's okay to admire art painted onto a canvas, but not the canvas that is one's skin? People express their creativity in different ways. Unnatural hair color and tattoos do not take away from a person's skills and competence. Worrying about if you won't be able to land the job of your dreams due to your 'odd' hair color or tattoos shouldn't be a thing. That should only be based on your intelligence, personality, and what you as a person can bring forth to the company you want to work for, or start if you are interested in being an entrepreneur. The creative freedom one has with their own body should not be hindered for the sake of landing a decent job in the professional world. We're all individuals, we're all unique --- and we should be allowed to show it. It's time to end the stigma.