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.
Ivanhoe essays – Best reflective essay editor for hire uk qygfz 2021.
Proceed to Order!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Popular writers website for masters
Funny answers to homework
Popular school assignment
Primary school english teaching thesis
An admission essay for graduate school
Popular application letter writer websites for phd
Transition words for autobiography essay
way to write my name gjqrk[/url] in catcher in the rye essay mxnjv[/url] blog post writers websites for masters voltj[/url] letter finance internship examples acjss[/url] 620f163Cheap term paper proofreading services us
Cheap speech ghostwriting sites uk
Mla dissertation format
Cheap critical essay ghostwriter sites gb
Best masters essay ghostwriter website for phd
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
essays – Best reflective essay editor for hire uk qygfz 2021[/b] pro[/url]http://sns.rightpsy.com/sns/u/link.php?url=https://essaypro.me
The pigman theme essay
on mentoring – Top university essay writers service online xcwcr 2021[/url] university critical essay ideas dwmva[/url] analysis essay ghostwriter site for masters egzpq[/url] cheap essay ghostwriter website for masters hwykp[/url] to write protected memory card rptps[/url]Top expository essay ghostwriter service uk
Wpm test for resume
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
essays – Best reflective essay editor for hire uk qygfz 2021[/b] company business plan template ucqxb[/url] to write a footnote for a website zqkqz[/url] helper science online dimjq[/url] elements of research paper and thesis epflv[/url] pro[/url]EduZaurus.com Review
http://chaos-fun-gamer.de/index.php?mod=users&action=view&id=173445
https://maps.google.com.uy/url?q=https://essaypro.me
https://vimeo.com/essaypro9289
How to write argumentative essay pdf
Esl papers editing site for phd
Resume to apply a university
[url=http://microzaymy.ru/]микрозайм на карту[/url]
[url=https://essayshark.review]Essay Writing Services Review[/url]
http://mindcontrol.cn/home.php?mod=space&uid=66290&do=profile&from=space
http://www.geekness.net/xmlrpc.php
Scout matures essay
How to write hangul pdf
Top analysis essay ghostwriter websites for university
https://www.allenbooth.com/blogs/news/brooms?comment=95911739455#comments
http://www.iwantfind.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=61&pid=101542&page=785&extra=page%3D1#pid101542
https://tradingstube.de/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=20&p=20536#p20536
Ivanhoe essays – Best reflective essay editor for hire uk qygfz 2021
resume rn no experience nvulk[/url] words extended definition essay jkjhn[/url] culture essay technology and communication rinpu[/url] rhetorical analysis essay ghostwriter for hire online qxvtl[/url] essays – Best reflective essay editor for hire uk qygfz 2021[/b] dissertation conclusion editor site for college bfbmv[/url] report forms for junior high hmeyo[/url] quiz oxweh[/url] hero or villain essay vncmv[/url] login[/url]https://1cfresh.darcons.ru/forum/messages/forum2/topic54140/message161960/?result=reply#message161960
https://tribolt.tech/showthread.php?tid=54054&pid=193803#pid193803
http://bbs.ejxxf.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=212772&pid=350335&page=233&extra=#pid350335
Best thesis statement ghostwriting site au
essays – Best reflective essay editor for hire uk qygfz 2021[/b] letter first paragraph ideas bmonl[/url] theaters business plan obmys[/url] online resume writing viqyn[/url] bibliography ghostwriter for hire for school menvt[/url] for culture speech zxuhm[/url] course work ghostwriter sites wktrm[/url]Jackie robinson art essay and poetry contest
Cheap content ghostwriting websites ca
https://www.asahihibachi.com/group/arunabadi-inc-group/discussion/6fb98022-21cc-4b0f-bbb2-086c68ff28c0
https://www.asahihibachi.com/group/arunabadi-inc-group/discussion/c576e7ff-5047-471a-94e7-b288213cb2e0
https://www.asahihibachi.com/group/arunabadi-inc-group/discussion/0a87905b-29a3-48f8-9a3a-495e175537c4
https://www.asahihibachi.com/group/arunabadi-inc-group/discussion/a86b16fe-9ee3-4de8-a8f0-d562aab41edc
https://www.asahihibachi.com/group/arunabadi-inc-group/discussion/378e2f20-1ec7-444f-9b3c-6e7a22878eb6
https://www.asahihibachi.com/group/arunabadi-inc-group/discussion/5a786bc5-7573-4911-a326-05bf9f8ba489
https://www.asahihibachi.com/group/arunabadi-inc-group/discussion/58e30d27-5db9-4a0e-93b1-16ac9b414c8a
https://www.asahihibachi.com/group/arunabadi-inc-group/discussion/dcca9e7a-6b1b-4134-8725-39a9218ea437
https://www.asahihibachi.com/group/arunabadi-inc-group/discussion/94ab7711-333b-4d57-b094-bbf654473db4
https://www.asahihibachi.com/group/arunabadi-inc-group/discussion/4be7232e-fbbb-43a6-a067-728ffa7e4207
https://www.asahihibachi.com/group/arunabadi-inc-group/discussion/57518473-2aab-49d7-9757-b19d233adf15
https://www.asahihibachi.com/group/arunabadi-inc-group/discussion/a453b4e8-6e9c-4b6d-8eaf-a32f50032676
https://www.asahihibachi.com/group/arunabadi-inc-group/discussion/6f5fcafd-127d-4e71-95fd-bdb3dc22a8bf
https://colab.research.google.com/drive/1kn3EjhKrLLkWHGfaWEcb7mjnaNrZFvPX
https://colab.research.google.com/drive/1TDfT7LTksk6V299ZPTHEqEjxDpJ8sZeh
https://colab.research.google.com/drive/1T6eBa5u45f7Wgy5fGxzpTDj0SqcajUtq
https://colab.research.google.com/drive/1VK0TxTIM5621WIg0DyCKyuayADC4ynI9
https://colab.research.google.com/drive/1A6Wawa2qmYvghj2I0LTWjhRk_lndiT3X
https://colab.research.google.com/drive/1DKcgUEGpUScWgDzsOjndOcxx_W5nGOQM
https://colab.research.google.com/drive/1-C_1Nhqf72zFbS-KBSm7uegQ5-FUPN1l
https://colab.research.google.com/drive/1hxT9E4asEuuk-5mjGR0vvcqir-__IuaP
https://colab.research.google.com/drive/1Rh7J7fs1J4Jqgx7d3Q99Pn4PeRTb26my
https://colab.research.google.com/drive/102W-iZREB70xwLQONcbSvpbSafXRA3v_
https://gitlab.pavlovia.org/de-making/demakepis/issues/7099
https://gitlab.pavlovia.org/de-making/demakepis/issues/7116
https://gitlab.pavlovia.org/de-making/demakepis/issues/7122
https://gitlab.pavlovia.org/de-making/demakepis/issues/7126
https://gitlab.pavlovia.org/de-making/demakepis/issues/7128
https://mobilizon.fr/events/43d57e88-dcd5-4c5c-826a-c8f8f146eaa8
https://mobilizon.fr/events/0ccf29a4-32b7-409c-9fa6-5fff33e6407c
https://mobilizon.fr/events/5ce431ce-c664-428a-b3ef-8e6119a09a82
https://mobilizon.fr/events/e1acdd84-3ba2-41d6-a929-0b484c1a8e8a
https://mobilizon.fr/events/164ecfc7-d1cf-4183-84ad-7973c337427f
http://playit4ward-sanantonio.ning.com/profiles/blogs/fsdrgdfghftyu
https://forums.redflagdeals.com/dgfhfghjgjyityuft-2608405/?page=0
https://forums.redflagdeals.com/sdfgfcghfgjfty-2608407/?page=0
http://allabouturanch.com/profiles/blogs/sfgdfghfgjhfty
https://foros.3dgames.com.ar/newthread.php?do=postthread&f=144
https://www.docsity.com/en/dashboard/
https://www.deviantart.com/movieonlie/journal/dfsdfgdrtete-954893447
https://www.schooltube.com/media/WATCH+John+Wick+Chapter+4+(FREE)+FULLMOVIE+ONLINE+AT+HOME+|+John+Wick%3A+Chapter+IV+2023/1_7ni2sae9
https://www.schooltube.com/media/WHERE+TO+WATCH+John+Wick+Chapter+4+(FREE)+FULLMOVIE+ONLINE+ON+STREAMINGS+%7C+John+Wick%3A+Chapter+IV+2023/1_tljxqmgz
https://www.schooltube.com/media/John+Wick+Chapter+4+(2023)+FulLMovie+Download+Free+720p%2C+480p+And+1080p/1_rj6byf93
https://www.schooltube.com/media/WATCH+John+Wick+Chapter+4+(John+Wick+Chapter+IV)+Free+FullMovie+Online/1_hx8jhmhq