I’ve worn my hair straightened in some form or fashion since before I can remember. When I was ten, I got my first relaxer. Before that, my parents straightened my hair with an old fashioned pressing comb. As an adult, I’ve pretty much worn it blow-dried and flat-ironed to within an inch of its life.
Before Covid, I couldn’t tell you the last time I did my own hair. I’d become so reliant on hair stylists that I didn’t even know the real texture of my hair. I literally just never had to deal with it.
Oh, how things have changed.
After outside was cancelled, I went as long as I could without touching my hair hoping that the pandemic would abate and I could go back to my regular hair appointments. One week turned into two then three, then four. How long could I hold out? When I finally grabbed a bunch of random shampoo and conditioner and went for it, it was a tangled disaster. So much so that I had to cut out large chunks with scissors. Seriously. It was bad.
Since then (many tears and countless YouTube #naturalhair videos later), I’ve put away the scissors and have learned to be gentle with my tresses and myself.
But here’s the more interesting part - all this coincided with the #BLM resurgence. The combination of being stuck at home coupled with the increasing footage of black lives being snuffed out forced me to confront the ugliness of racism in less subtle, even more personal ways.
Of course I’ve faced racism. I’m a black woman. It would be impossible for me not to. However, it’s rarely blatant. Before the quarantine, I spent a great deal of my life in corporate environments where racism is pervasive but stealth. It reveals itself in things like being ignored in corporate conference rooms because people assumed I couldn’t be the one in charge. Or assuming that my role was in HR rather than marketing. Or odd compliments like “you’re so articulate, you write so well...” as if somehow I shouldn’t. Corporate environments aside, in regular life basic things like luxury shopping take on a whole different vibe - where sales people either ignore you or surreptitiously track your every move. Honestly, I’m not sure which is worse.
But what's this got to do with my hair? A lot.
Everyone handles racism differently. For me, I learned to present myself as polished as possible and amongst other things, polished, in my book, meant straight hair.
It made me feel more professional. It made me feel a little less “other”. And if I’m completely honest, it made me feel more attractive. Even with no makeup, if my hair was straight, I’m embarrassed to say, I felt presentable - even pretty.
Malcom X asked, “who taught you to hate yourself?”
That’s what I’ve been asking myself lately. It’s one thing to use my hair as a form of self expression. I can wear it how ever I want. It’s my hair. But it’s another to wear it a certain way because it makes me feel like I fit in or because it’s more “acceptable” or because I think my natural hair is unattractive.
The combination of Covid and #BlackLivesMatter forced a kind of epiphany for me. What is wrong with the natural texture of my hair? Why was it so important that it be straight?
I grew up in a time where black parents pressed their little girls hair, parted it down the middle and put it in ponytails with bows and barrettes.
Today, black girls rock box braids one day, Diana Ross glam-fros the next, bone straight hair the next. They go with the flow. They go with their mood. I admire their sense of self and freedom of expression.
It wasn’t like that when I was growing up. Sadly (but understandably), my generation was taught to be a lot more conformist.
It breaks my heart when I see the proliferation of mini “self love” books for little black girls with titles like “Love Your Hair,” “I’m a Pretty Princess,” “Love Thy Fro,” “Happy to be Nappy,” “I Love My Hair!” “My Hair,” “Hair Like Mine,” “Hair Love”. Something is really wrong with this picture. It implies something is bad about our hair that makes it difficult to love. Then again, if those books had been around when I was coming up, maybe I wouldn’t have this odd relationship with my own hair.
Who knows? But it’s telling that there are no books gently instructing children to love their blue eyes. Who has to tell Emily to love her blond hair?
Today I’m wearing my hair is in it’s natural state in all its kinky, curly, coiling glory. I’d say I was rocking’ it but to be honest, I’m not quite there yet. As they say in the natural hair community, it’s a journey.
This is where I am. I’m learning to embrace the beauty of my natural hair and what it says about me and who I am as a black woman.
As I get used to styling it and seeing my new reflection in the mirror, I’m learning to love myself more. It’s awkward and challenging but long, long overdue.
I’ll share more on my IG (@savvyclickchick) as I move forward. In the meantime, if you have natural hair tips or just want to commiserate or share your own story, please do share. It’s a challenging time but as we reflect and heal ourselves so too may our we begin to heal our world.
Your comment was posted successfully! Thank you!
NEED ESSAY WRITING ?
Save your time and get your essay written by a professional writer.
We can cover any topic on any subject in the blink of an eye.
Esl presentation editor service uk wjicv.
Order NOW!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Help writing nursing dissertation introduction
Cv writing style uk
Pay to write ecology dissertation introduction
Uf history honors thesis
Essay of helping people in need
Business consultant business plan sample
Sample cover letter for cost quotation
essay on internet censorship lymhd[/url] phd thesis sgrig[/url] essay on value of life kmkis[/url] offensive essay topics wvoom[/url] 159b3a4Sample hotel catering sales manager resume
5 paragraph essay about vacation
Professional critical analysis essay ghostwriting site gb
Popular letter writing services for college
Sample undergraduate psychology thesis
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
education program essay jzikx[/url] for someone who never worked before dclgl[/url] essay on taj mahal ewjst[/url] writing accounting dissertation proposal ejmnh[/url] non thesis program uekpo[/url]https://itelegra-ph.blogspot.com
[b]Esl presentation editor service uk wjicv[/b]
[url=https://essaypro.me]proessay[/url]
Professional persuasive essay ghostwriters services
How to summarize findings of a literature review
Sample essay for application for scholarship
academic ghostwriter editapaper.com
presentation editor service uk wjicv[/b] best essay writers websites online ejflx[/url] word resume template software 7 0 xztpt[/url] communication skills on resume pnpda[/url] help raleigh nc vsqlg[/url]]
https://maps.google.gy/url?q=https://essaypro.co
https://maps.google.com.bh/url?q=https://edubirdie.review
https://images.google.com.ec/url?q=https://edubirdie.company
Special skills for daycare resume
Thesis accounting information system
Professional resume writers site us
[url=http://obsledovanie.www.by/stroitelnaya-ekspertiza]экспертиза строительства[/url]
[url=http://ex-aviasales.ru]авиасейлс[/url]
https://maps.google.com.au/url?q=https://edubirdie.review
http://cmz.sumy.ua/go.php?url=https://studybay.ws
Type my culture dissertation introduction
Wounded warrior project scholarship and essay contest
How to write project charter
https://derwillner.de/2015/11/16/black-white-2/#comment-146848
http://bbs.mooxell.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=613&pid=763857&page=335&extra=#pid763857
https://rus-boys.ru/content/segodnya-rossiya-avstriya?page=58#comment-74044
Esl presentation editor service uk wjicv
form of a resume hmfkd[/url] a letter to your mother in hindi inckw[/url] writing geography letter ixhlx[/url] manager video resume kpfep[/url] presentation editor service uk wjicv[/b] information technology officer resume ucvnh[/url] literature review ghostwriter services for masters pqpzf[/url] do you place towers for homework tower defence bbbrw[/url] tips for resume tbejg[/url] bay[/url]http://www.barsequanais.fr/forum/Sujet/308/?part=123#postid-24510
http://forum.prozagar.com.ua/topic/458092-quality-assurance-specialist-resume-objective-klynf/page__st__20__gopid__1072759&#entry1072759
https://puro.co/blogs/blog/tip-1-to-make-your-puro-co-soaps-last-even-longer?comment=87312564385#comments
Homework 81 blogspot
presentation editor service uk wjicv[/b] case study ghostwriter website online fuyrx[/url] art movement essay miotn[/url] editor service for masters qvads[/url] plan for a real estate company roojc[/url] carolina college not pharmacist resume rph south vitae ggqcc[/url] essays ghostwriter website online jhuco[/url]Essay about conflict diamonds
Jobvertise uscanada resume search
NEED PAPER WRITING HELP?
Pay for my nursing curriculum vitae .
Order NOW!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Transcendentalism essay topics
Cover letter help desk examples
Professional design resume
Maniac magee essay ideas
Carly fiorina resume
Apoptosis research paper
How to create a resume for an internship
american essay topics – Constructing an essay title rjqxc 2021[/url] of resume vlcyc 2021[/url] neumann essay contest – Essay plans for philosophy kcsfq 2021[/url] my psychology dissertation chapter yfxss[/url] a445de4College student resume examples engineering
Help me write cheap reflective essay on usa
Pay to get essay online
Resume example company acquired
Esl rhetorical analysis essay editor service for phd
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
for my nursing curriculum vitae [/b]https://bestqualitypapers.com
[url=http://studybay-com.csublogs.com]studybay[/url]
]
problem solving editing services for university nbanc[/url] of skill set resume zukde 2021[/url] literature review ghostwriting websites online – Cheap essays writers site gb uhwug 2021[/url] paper editing sites ca ovhzh[/url] example paper ubrrh[/url]Cheap dissertation hypothesis ghostwriting site au
How to write testimonals
Admission essay fashion institute technology
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
for my nursing curriculum vitae [/b] school descriptive essay samples hktvq[/url] speech writers service ca tbwtk[/url] thesis document fktkz[/url] best essay writers site for mba – Custom university dissertation methodology topics smiqn 2021[/url] pro[/url]grace p john dissertation ucla
https://bookingsilo.trade/wiki/Buy_Essay_Online_An_Overview
https://livebookmark.stream/story.php?title=new-step-by-step-map-for-studybays-com#discuss
https://kikipedia.win/wiki/Facts_About_Buy_Dissertation_Online_Revealed
Brian munger resume writer
ru[/url] birdie[/url]Cover dubai free letter resume sample
Types of ielts academic essays
http://www.consulenzaleonardo.com/modules.php?name=Your_Account&op=userinfo&username=EduBirdiecom
http://zrt.ru/auto/user/pastafog8/
Human resource management essay writing site
How to write a cover sheet in mla format
Literary essays books
http://herpessupportgroup.org/forums/topic/best-application-letter-ghostwriting-for-hire-for-mba/
http://www.sicilyyachtagency.com/forum/donec-eu-elit/309313-synonym-essay-checker.html#361512
https://www.loralora.com/blogs/blog/cumpleanos-feliz?comment=128043090007#comments
Pay for my nursing curriculum vitae
economy dissertation topics czrmf 2021[/url] clan of one breasted women thesis pjqbg[/url] do you write a letter to the queen aooiv[/url] essay cazte[/url] for my nursing curriculum vitae [/b] to write a paragraph in french about family objpy 2021[/url] of dissertations[/url] decription resume[/url] favourite scientist thomas alva edison essay fbjpx[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
http://hobbyist.pixart.com.sg/boards/topic/351728/cover-letter-multiple-positions-examples
http://geizer.donetsk.ua/blog/umyagchenie-kartridzhami-aragon#comment_75731
http://bestaqua.com.ua/blog/stoit-li-kupit-solevuyu-lampu-domoj#comment_1051583
Quote thesis statement
for my nursing curriculum vitae [/b] business plan zinom[/url] writing ghostwriter sites ca[/url] reflection sa[/url] quality article writing service fhldx[/url] help qdnng[/url] thesis shnwa 2021[/url]Cover letter stategies
Post homework questions
Daily updated super sexy photo galleries
tube porn videos tranny oops porn rare porn videos girl on girl watch porn hosewife pornhttp://pappusax.instasexyblog.com/?priscilla
Comparison/contrast writing essay .
Proceed to Order!!! http://vkfan.com/user/oraniezvno
UYhjhgTDkJHVy
RUS
Представьте: Вы сидите дома, занимаетесь любимым делом, а пару часов в день посвящаете дополнительным интересным занятиям. И в какой-то момент Вам приходит и основная зарплата и + 50-100.000 руб сверху. Приятное дополнение к бюджету, не так ли? Особенно приятно получать новый доход, когда от старта обучения прошло всего 3 недели, а на дворе пока что кризис и все вокруг говорят “сейчас заработать нереально”.Хотели бы так же? Сидя дома дополнительно получать внушительный доход? Стабильно и безопасно. Если да, то Вам сегодня повезло! Как раз у [url=https://betsstore3.com?betting=GOBVK&ref_id=6f48a9334b]betsstore[/url] есть много приличных бонусов и акций! [url=https://betsstore3.com?betting=GOBVK&ref_id=6f48a9334b][b]Регистрация>>>[/b][/url]
ENG
Imagine that: You sit at home, do what you love, and devote a couple of hours a day to additional interesting activities. And at some point, you get the main salary and + 50-100. 000 rubles on top. A nice addition to the budget, isn’t it especially nice to get a new income when only 3 weeks have passed from the start of training, and there is still a crisis in the yard and everyone around says “it is impossible to earn money now”.Would you like to do the same? Sitting at home in addition to receive an impressive income? Stable and safe. If so, then you are really lucky! Just [url=https://betsstore6.com?betting=GOBVK&ref_id=f253f40d2a]betsstore[/url] has a lot of decent bonuses and promotions! [url=https://betsstore6.com?betting=GOBVK&ref_id=cc7e103ee4][b]Registration>>>[/b][/url]
[url=https://betsstore3.com?betting=GOBVK&ref_id=6f48a9334b]букмекерская контора ставки +на спорт[/url]
NEED PAPER WRITING HELP?
Talk about your future job essay .
Proceed to Order!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Non financial aspects of a business plan
Resume registered nurse sample
Critique thesis
Popular dissertation hypothesis ghostwriter websites for mba
Or intitle resume implementation manager
Dissertation results ghostwriters websites
Cover letter for nursing graduate year
business analyst manager resume tqcmv[/url] to write a good eulogy for a friend[/url] to history essay xrmik[/url] bio essay on darwin[/url] 619159bHow to write with both hands at the same time
Esl university essay writing service for university
Help me write popular masters essay on lincoln
Essay on my best friend in sanskrit
Qualities essay writing
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
about your future job essay [/b]https://bestqualitypapers.com
[url=https://studybay-com.business.site]studybay[/url]
]
resume coupon code ztuct[/url] representative objective resume – Books that can be used for sat essay pemhd 2021[/url] to write jsps ubebs[/url] sandoval story essay[/url] home work writing website gb yyjgw 2021[/url]Freelance writing service
Funny quotes against homework
How to write a notary letter
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
about your future job essay [/b] inc sample expository essay ckpqk[/url] berkeley admission essay topic vohxe 2021[/url] dissertation introduction editor website for college rapyf[/url] top thesis statement online[/url]dissertation know
]
http://33abinsk.ru/user/cwrictmwgl
http://163.30.42.16/~health2017/userinfo.php?uid=4064036
https://cults3d.com/fr/utilisateurs/easeoven6
Essay grave in narrow texas
Research paper esl students
Trail of tears term paper
]
[url=http://profcredits.ru]профи кредит[/url]
http://bridgeblue.edu.vn/advertising.redirect.aspx?AdvId=35&url=https://essaypro.me
http://www.cnes.km.edu.tw/dyna/netlink/hits.php?id=70&url=https://essaypro.me/
Stationery writing paper sets
Esl ghostwriters for hire for masters
Apa style for essay papers
https://nubestsalon.com/blogs/latest-news/13491093-tame-frizzy-hair?comment=124502966431#comments
http://www.sicilyyachtagency.com/forum/in-neque-arcu-vulputate-vitae/271027-cover-letter-hints.html#302171
http://forum.enemy.su/topic/179379-farmacia-online-donde-comprar-generico-flibanserina-100-mg-con-mastercard/?page=7#comment-2612627
Talk about your future job essay
support executive resume defaz[/url] development psychology essay[/url] to write a lab report biology[/url] mechanics resume sprcx[/url] about your future job essay [/b] an essay they said[/url] letter for data entry specialist svnlq[/url] to write professional university essay on founding fathers svdfz 2021[/url] college essay proofreading services usa apryf 2021[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
https://forum.nerdcom.host/index.php?/topic/240784-grade-11-business-studies-essays/#comment-621917
http://www.sicilyyachtagency.com/forum/donec-eu-elit/307782-extended-essay-topics-literature.html#359472
https://www.marymeyerclothing.com/blogs/blog/3244042-ocean-and-tee-pop?comment=124704227504#comments
Cheap university article review sample
about your future job essay [/b] a quote from a book in an essay uqhwy[/url] essay rubrics in mla odkhh 2021[/url] business plan 2009 – Custom home work writers site for mba aiywu 2021[/url] for day care worker iibzl[/url] critical essay ghostwriters site for university odxwz[/url] synthesis essay global warming vujwd[/url]Ample email cover letter inquiring about job openings
Popular article writers services uk