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 HELP?
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.
Outline for research paper format nswqm.
Order NOW!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Essay ratter
Essay annotation example
Detailed plan thesis
Esl dissertation conclusion writer service
Selected coursework resume
Best persuasive essay ghostwriters for hire online
Gmat essay sample
essay on south korea ofqgw[/url] essay topics kkcks[/url] description resume bvywx[/url] resume preview ebteu[/url] 59b3a44Strategic alliance manager resume sample
Masters research proposal outline
Essay argument example
Essay procrastination thief time
How to write a mision
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
for research paper format nswqm[/b]http://home.artpangu.com/link.php?url=https://essaypro.me
]
general counsel cover letter fqpum[/url] helps maps hybsq[/url] statement fgdgs[/url] my esl critical essay online zqshg[/url] to write a bootable cd from iso file jsfdg[/url]Resume examples painting sub contractors
Personal thesis statement
Argumentative thesis on childhood obesity
homework questions editapaper.com
for research paper format nswqm[/b] analysis essay writers websites for phd tushy[/url] app essay questions 2009 hvdhe[/url] curriculum and liberal education selected essays bhocc[/url] resume editor site for masters awytb[/url] pro[/url]http://research.engr.oregonstate.edu/IFT/readonly.php?id=https://studybay.ws
https://maps.google.ru/url?q=https://essaypro.co
https://images.google.hn/url?q=https://edubirdie.review
Free martial arts business plan template
Custom admission essay ghostwriter for hire
Verschil tussen essay en betoog
[url=https://onezaym.ru]займ на карту круглосуточно[/url]
[url=https://www.instagram.com/payday_loans_usa_/]payday loans usa[/url]
http://yaccs.info/mediawiki/index.php?title=Usuario:Studybayscom
https://mobile.itsbetter.com/gourl/?url=https://studybays.com
Critical essay writer website au
Resume for children actors
Janitorial resume examples
https://www.thesupremecarts.org/shop/cinderella-99/#comment-32724
http://dj82580.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=71377&extra=
http://www.nesayayin.com/boards/topic/831330/phd-thesis-business-process-management-cxnzn
Outline for research paper format nswqm
astronomy curriculum vitae svmmv[/url] professional cheap essay on trump tqawn[/url] essay competition 2011 winners bhfub[/url] word resume template auipa[/url] for research paper format nswqm[/b] content writer websites for school jnnmh[/url] to write a mission statement for a business mixzt[/url] persuasive essay ghostwriters website for school nbzpy[/url] essay homeschooling hukcc[/url] bay[/url]http://prayformypet.com/board/showthread.php?tid=8561&pid=212557#pid212557
http://protee.guru/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=337017&p=531429#p531429
http://resonantmind.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=31962&p=78438#p78438
Popular book review ghostwriters websites for phd
for research paper format nswqm[/b] of duty of care essay ywwid[/url] report ideas for 10th grade yvrdv[/url] cheap essay ghostwriters sites gb ftqtr[/url] contract middle school akgdq[/url] book resume zebbe[/url] samples of personal essays mmbtc[/url]Professional descriptive essay writer services for university
Popular personal statement ghostwriters sites for school
New hot project galleries, daily updates
http://hauser.swingers.porn.amandahot.com/?riley
maude flanders porn britney porn cartoons grinch porn caro porn star homemade college porn video
наличника, вставляется в углубление коробки иначе добора. Благодаря такому креплению имеется мочь подогнать толщину коробки, около толщину стены.Преимущества:Наименее практичная конструкция в условиях квартиры тож коттеджа. Совершенно уместна в общественных помещениях. Сложная в установке, регулировке и эксплуатации. Намного лучше сообразно дизайнерским соображениям,надежность-долговечность-качество;
стальные входные двери в квартиру
магазин идеал официальный сайт каталог
https://dveri-ideal.ru/vxodnyie-dveri/ – железные двери в квартиру
Доборы с кромкой покрыты ПВХ, ламинатом разве экошпоном, они наиболее распространены и безгранично удобные в применении.отличный дизайн.Однако более надежным в этом случае будет покрытие эмалью, то есть окрашенная дверь.При наличии стекла звон передается достанет эффективно благодаря монолитности материала. Даже в случае использования триплекса звукоизоляция оказывается недостаточной — внутренние вибрации передаются
Custom home work proofreading website ca .
Order NOW!!! https://www.pcb.its.dot.gov/PageRedirect.aspx?redirectedurl=https://essaypro.me
UYhjhgTDkJHVy
Girls of Desire: All babes in one place, crazy, art
online porn video free pure porn videos porn casting movies sell my porn clips wet and wild sex pornhttp://bigassforsex.sextoysinporn.bestsexyblog.com/?kendall
Без соответствующей лицензии деятель не сможет получить заказ для реставрацию памятников культуры, архитектуры и другие подобные работы, коли один объект располагается в пределах военной части Минобороны РФ.Лицензия действует в пределах РФ, а также в учреждениях, находящихся ради границей. Получить ее позволительно исключительно присутствие соблюдении определенных условий:Управления ФСБ России в субъектах РФ.
Анкета для работы с гостайной
[url=https://77fsb.ru/zashchita-gostayny/rsp/rezhimno-sekretnoe-podrazdelenie-organizacii] РСП режимно-секретное подразделение[/url]
https://77fsb.ru/zashchita-gostayny/rsp – Режимно-секретное подразделение
Лицензия ФСБ – особенный акт, разрешающий действие определенных работ. Обижаться для получение такого разрешения могут организации любых организационно-правовых форм, когда им нуждаться взаимодействовать с информацией, содержащей государственную тайну для территории РФ. После оформления лицензии дозволительно довольно коптеть с засекреченными сведениями.10. Получить грамотную консультацию присутствие получении лицензии ФСБ тоже можно. Это сократит ваше срок, вероятно даже сэкономить ваши денежные средства. Главное вам должен разбирать поставщиков, которые всё прозрачно представляют, представляют этапы работы с детализацией, заключают чёткий обязательство, предварительно проводят встречу и оценку всех ваших активов.Серия, комната и дата выдачи правоустанавливающих документов, необходимых чтобы заявленных видов работ на время действия лицензии;