While I am a musician (Singer/Songwriter), I don't exist off the air I breathe. It would be nice. When I was signed to a label in the mid-90s I toured, made very good money. Long story short, my contract with my label was not renewed. It meant "start over". Back to a day job. I burned the candle at both ends, working to support myself, pursuing my musical endeavors, writing performing.

Like millions of other Americans I was laid off in 2008. I work as a temp whenever afforded the opportunity which is seldom, but I do what I can. I survive because I am married and my husband works. We live on a shoestring, but we live. We've done everything, filed for bankruptcy, moved to a smaller cheaper apartment, I had to give back my car. Making it work.

I embraced my alopecia, my bald head, when all my hair pretty much went this past March 2011. I had no problem being out in the world bald. For the most part, I was accepted. Dealt with the usual stupidity of some people, but not the end of the world. I am beginning to realize there is a good chance I was passed over for employment because of my bald head.

Given the current economy, employers can, and do discriminate. In my case, its pretty hefty. I'm female, a Black-Cuban, I'm middle-aged and I'm bald. I can't do much about my age or ethnicity. I recently lost out on a job where I'd been told "you are the #1 candidate". No reason was given except that someone else was chosen. I cried for 2 days. Mostly, because I figured it was about my bald head.

I'd been counseled to advise prospective employers that I don't have cancer. Their first thought is that I may be out sick a lot. I wait until I am well into the interview to mention it. So far, all interviewers make light of it "oh I didn't think anything of it, thanks for advising". I know its a huge pile of shit when they say this. I'm sure its the FIRST thing they noticed, my baldness. Nonetheless, I cover myself. I am still jobless.

My Alopecian sister-mentor "Crowned Regal" (some of you may know her) gave me good advice. She said wear the wig until you get the job. When you know you HAVE the job tell the immediate people that count, like your supervisor. After this its not an issue (well, it shouldn't be).

I had bought a wig prior to shaving the little bit of hair I had left on my head. It looked great to me, then. This is because it was better than the alternative. After I removed what little hair I had that wig looked like a costume to me. I'm guessing now that I have embraced my alopecian self and bald head, picking a different wig may feel/look better to me than what I bought when I still had some hair. I thinks its psychological.

I would like to have a wig made that will lay right on my head, but I don't have the money. My friend recommended to me the places where to go to get a wig that is affordable. I've seen her wigs, they're fantastic. So, off I go next week. I'll wear a wig to my interviews and after I get a job; sometimes to the job. Not my preference, but I have to eat, pay rent and take care of myself. Its part of my circumstance. Yeah, I can dig in my heals and so "no, they have to accept me just as I am" but they won't be accepting like they haven't been. We're living in difficult economic times and corporate America is worse and more prejudicial than its ever been because THEY CAN BE. It is doubtful to me that there was a real reason why I was not hired for this position that wasn't related to my baldness. I was told I was "it" by the recruiter. They were completely surprised at my not being hired as well. For the record I am extremely eloquent and well-spoken. It is what it is.

Rolling with the punches with my alopecian-self.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Be bold, be brave, be bald, be yourself,(when you can).

Lili