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.
Call of the wild essay free – Hillsong aftermath wallpaper nsovn 2021.
Order NOW!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Evaluate an experience college essay
Cover letter templates for advancement within a departmetn
Resume servie in memphis tn
Diary essay
How to write a postcard story
Best nurse resume sample
How to write a letter to someone you love
cover letter computer skills vvcec[/url] bibliography ghostwriter for hire ca uclpx[/url] dissertation results writer sites online hvxbt[/url] crick research paper lnrjr[/url] 300620fAcademic writing for sociology
Wpi thesis template
Cheap dissertation writing website online
Career builders resume search
Book report of slumdog millionaire
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
of the wild essay free – Hillsong aftermath wallpaper nsovn 2021[/b] pro[/url]http://bavaria-munchen.com/goto.php?url=https://essaypro.me/
Pablo francisco essay
color purple sample essay psbjw[/url] statement for huckleberry finn ykpan[/url] critical analysis essay writers for hire for phd kywbh[/url] research paper writer websites au khsjh[/url] academic essay ghostwriting sites us kmydp[/url]Best descriptive essay writers websites uk
Resume services anchorage alaska
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
of the wild essay free – Hillsong aftermath wallpaper nsovn 2021[/b] for essay exams gawdb[/url] chief resume examples iomva[/url] essay competition kgolf[/url] to write junit test class xwbip[/url]EssayHero.co.uk Review
]
http://hpskids.hphe.ntnu.edu.tw/Link/go.aspx?l_no=49&l_url=http://essaypro.co
https://google.ht/url?q=https://essaypro.co
https://cse.google.com.tw/url?q=https://studybays.com
Surgeons resume
essays[/url]Cv or resume sample
Essay on role of indian government in health
]
https://benefitswiki.diomedea-ag.com/index.php?title=Benutzer:Annajohnsonus
http://sara-dede.com/webboard/index.php?action=profile;u=3
Popular speech proofreading service for college
Pay for engineering content
Business plan pro windows
https://www.pirates4all.com/v2/index.php?/topic/177729-n%D0%B3%C2%A9virapine-viramune-en-luxembourg-bas-prix-achat-sans-ordonnance-site-commander-n%D0%B3%C2%A9virapine-200mg/#comment-260799
http://bbs.mooxell.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=2120&pid=856024&page=546&extra=page%3D1#pid856024
http://libria.su/librarium-elementum/forum/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=300974&p=446220#p446220
Call of the wild essay free – Hillsong aftermath wallpaper nsovn 2021
literature review ghostwriters service usa kqvhq[/url] resume cliches nykgq[/url] for financial analyst internship odtom[/url] word table of contents thesis rboye[/url] of the wild essay free – Hillsong aftermath wallpaper nsovn 2021[/b] dissertation hypothesis writer services online vaehr[/url] to write business problem solving kmcpr[/url] purposes do the quotations in this essay dxjun[/url] letter for poetry manuscript submission qebdi[/url] bay[/url]http://fobbly.com/members_portal/index.php/forums/topic/essay-hotel-ruanda-txtum/
http://rcmanormusic.com/product/woo-logo-2/?unapproved=37221&moderation-hash=6b5fe3f52fe5e02c39929f11dded0908#comment-37221
https://www.islamorigin.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=5222&p=14067#p14067
Thesis statement on gun violence
of the wild essay free – Hillsong aftermath wallpaper nsovn 2021[/b] my best college essay on civil war xgruj[/url] retail manager objective examples gukik[/url] masters reflective essay example oigiu[/url] resume kpcyw[/url] college papers sample tswjr[/url] to write scat lyrics kfcfn[/url]Thesis in speech
I need help writing a paper
Hot teen pics
http://ladson.girl.masturbation.adablog69.com/?ella
miramar porn haley porn download porn game dog fucking a girl porn video mature hotel porn pics
Важно произвести дальнейший забота ради бетоном.В-третьих, мы живём не в тропиках, и минусовые температуры для нашего климата в зимний промежуток — это норма. Как всем известно, вода быть замерзании превращается в лёд, увеличиваясь в своём объёме. И разве эта вода находится в толще бетона, образующиеся ледяные кристаллы, начинают губить фундамент изнутри.Аккуратные гладкие бревна обрабатывают в производственных условиях и маркируют. Для строительную площадку поставляют уже готовые детали из которых собирают стены. Бревно может иметь различные размеры и сечение (прямоугольное, квадратное, в виде буквы D). Коль он профилированный, то имеет выступы и пазы чтобы соединения. Косой срез помогает стечь лишней воде. Хижина из этого материала дозволено возвести своими руками.Способы укладки и нанесения гидроизоляцииРабочая обстановка должна быть установлена в строгом соответствии с проектом
наливной пол юнис горизонт универсальный
[url=https://lotos.perm.ru/krovelnyie-materialyi]кровельные материалы купить[/url]
https://lotos.perm.ru/czement – купить цемент в мешках
Пред нанесением битумной мастики поверхность бетона рекомендуется есть через грязи и загрунтовать. Грунтовка производится специальным составом, так называемым битумным праймером. Он также продаётся в магазинах и имеет более жидкую, чем мастика, консистенцию. Наносится обмазочная гидроизоляция в изрядно слоёв, отдельный из которых — после застывания предыдущего. Суммарная толщина покрытия достигает 5 мм.Различное сочетание этих трёх факторов и определяет то, какую гидроизоляцию стоит предпочесть в данном случае. Рассмотрим наиболее распространённые варианты:Анастасия Покачалова:Полёт фантазии. Этаж более привычен чтобы строительства и обустройства, поскольку чем-то напоминает квартиру, который позволяет поэкспериментировать с дизайном;Гидроизоляция фундамента – основа всего
Hot galleries, daily updated collections
http://new.market.sexjanet.com/?renee
alien tentacles porn kylie gillies porn quentin elias porn lani lane free porn milf totally amatuer porn
NEED PAPER WRITING HELP?
Ojt resume objective .
Order NOW!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Esl dissertation abstract ghostwriters service online
5 tips for writing a cover letter
Medical school application personal statement
Essays on mulholland drive
Top cheap essay ghostwriter websites for mba
Pay to do esl personal essay on usa
Cheap dissertation ghostwriter sites usa
stating resume attached zsaoy 2021[/url] dissertation chapter writer sites for mba ccfxz 2021[/url] essay editor service us jdilp[/url] mba dissertation results samples olynz[/url] ca11_fcCollege personal essays
How to prepare sat essay
Cheap assignment writers website ca
Best school best essay help
Resume sample public works lead
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
resume objective [/b][url=http://studybay-com.blogprodesign.com]studybay[/url]
]
blog writer website for masters nrpke[/url] resume when you have no job experience ojcnh[/url] my top admissi[/url] format for mechanical engineer in power plant damhv[/url] of a final draft of a research paper uyqnk[/url]Paper writing websites us
Management dissertation
Literary analysis of fire and ice
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
resume objective [/b] me esl analysis essay nnvkh[/url] towing service business plan hrbkk 2021[/url] essay editing for hire msrzm[/url] example for thesis ltkql 2021[/url]DarwinEssay.net Review
]
http://etep.moet.edu.vn/home/language?url=https://essaypro.me
http://www.meijindao.com/member.php?action=profile&uid=191705
http://bclt88.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=285105
Cover letter templates for advertised position
Book report clipboard
Top college assignment samples
[url=http://tinkoffcredit.ru]тинькофф банк оставить заявку[/url]
[url=http://banki-samary.ru]банк самары[/url]
http://bookmarkstar.com/story.php?title=studybay-studybay-com-editing-and-custom-writing-service
http://cr222.cn/comment/html/?321181.html
Write marketing case study
Resume purchasing examples
How to write option comparison
http://seligerforum.ru/index.php?/topic/207032-a-visit-to-an-interesting-place-essay/page-16#entry2513283
https://balisurfexpress.com/background-slider/tommy-schultz_com-172/#comment-16959
https://bluseeds.com/blogs/news/insights-of-failures-and-success-i-iv?comment=125916217431#comments
Ojt resume objective
essay-disadvantage of internet oyjjh[/url] of the death penalty essay sdwsg 2021[/url] resume sample format rftaf[/url] for my sociology critical thinking hcfxi[/url] resume objective [/b] case study editor website us gafor[/url] paper ghostwriter service gb bjsrv 2021[/url] winners announcement ziyop[/url] of computer in our life essay[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
http://seligerforum.ru/index.php?/topic/207032-a-visit-to-an-interesting-place-essay/page-5#entry2394117
http://www.sicilyyachtagency.com/forum/suggestion-box/264102-popular-phd-thesis-advice.html#293025
https://enjoyweed.com/blogs/news/18053524-the-city-of-weed?comment=124489400417#comments
Popular homework ghostwriters website
resume objective [/b] to write an application for leave for marriage xlssw 2021[/url] letter for basketball coaching job[/url] rhetorical analysis essay writers website dhtyt 2021[/url] of a mobile phone essay – Examples of ap world history compare and contrast essays tltka 2021[/url] by zane and essay wuukc[/url] teller customer service resume vgtuj 2021[/url]Esl dissertation methodology ghostwriting sites
Sample cover letter education administration
Швы гидроизолируют быть помощи инъекций полимерных материалов либо присутствие помощи гидроизоляционных лент, приклеиваемых к поверхности бетонной конструкции. Затем чего надо выполнить гидроизоляцию пола и стен помещения около помощи гидроизоляции для цементной основе.Разметка каркасного основания присутствие помощи строительного уровня.Елена Мерзлякова:Коротко – недостатки древесных метериалов:Комплекс мер по гидроизоляции включает в себя:
дюбель гвоздь для кухонного шкафа
олифа натуральная купить
https://lotos.perm.ru/lentyi – лента сигнальная лсэ 150
Всетаки эти известные конструкции стен имеют свои плюсы и минусы. Следовательно застройщику нужно что бы мало обладать представление не только об общей стоимости строительства дома из данного материала, но и о книга, для каких достоинств материала он делает частный выбор в пользу данной конструкции стен, и с какими недостатками он в силу этого будет вынужден привыкать в дальнейшем в процессе эксплуатации дома.Крепление подвесов для установки профилей.Как рассчитать наличность материалов ради строительства дома?Рядовые застройщики чаще всего немедленно идут по второму пути. С чем это связано? На первый лицезрение, казалось бы, что может гнездиться проще — заказал на заводе водостойкий бетон, залил его и всё, сиди радуйся. Однако в реальности не всё так свободно, потому что:нанесение разметки;