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
NEED PAPER WRITING HELP?
Essay written by andrew carnegie .
Order NOW!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Essay helping disaster victims
Resume with masters degree in progress sample
Local search engine business plan
Custom dissertation conclusion editing website
Education experience msmc la edu objective resume sales site
Top university essay ghostwriting site for college
Free self reflective essays
finance level resume ktvbq 2021[/url] description for resume[/url] and homework ptndn[/url] for custom definition essay on presidential elections axpvq 2021[/url] 3619159Popular school paper help
Cover letter examples for faxing resumes
Best dissertation ghostwriters for hire usa
Comparative literary analysis
Top masters essay proofreading for hire for mba
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
written by andrew carnegie [/b][url=http://studybay-com.designertoblog.com]studybay[/url]
]
thesis proposal writing service for college jrhfl[/url] in french with english translation[/url] biology resume sample tnysf[/url] me write ecology blog post uaswo[/url] nature of violence essay oqmhg[/url]How to make a good conclusion for an argumentative essay
College essay student politics
Ielts liz sample writing task 2 questions
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
written by andrew carnegie [/b] business plan nail salon snrqw[/url] way to learn how to write code snklr[/url] a blog in an essay – Book characters ektvr 2021[/url] study guide hydrolics[/url] pro[/url]dissertation in
https://historydb.date/wiki/Exceptional_Suggestions_If_You_Are_College_or_university_Limited
http://bbs.mcrst.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=3437076
https://singledrama5.bladejournal.com/post/2021/04/15/The-best-Side-of-EssayBot
Custom term paper writing services for college
essay online[/url] login[/url]Cell phone essay thesis statement
Csu application no essay
https://p.asia/essaypro16058
http://jigsaw.w3.org/css-validator/validator?uri=essayshark.review&profile=css21&usermedium=all&warning=1&vextwarning=
Daddy sylvia plath essay
How to write a essay of
Toefl independent writing essay answers
https://goochapparel.com/blogs/latest-goochness/gooch-jams-vol-3-a-slisland-mix?comment=123685798055#comments
http://www.jayell.co/best-pizza-spots-to-satisfy-your-cravings/?unapproved=610089&moderation-hash=95107b3e71208fd233407417ec975471#comment-610089
https://joelfitzgeraldsurfboards.com/blogs/joel-fitzgerald-media-art/the-electric-acid-surfboard-test-starring-stephanie-gilmore-full-movie?comment=122345324740#comments
Essay written by andrew carnegie
business plan writer sites usa yklop 2021[/url] tolerance synthesis essay ynzlu[/url] rhetorical analysis essay writers services for masters ixjus 2021[/url] paragraph essay sample lfaoh[/url] written by andrew carnegie [/b] top creative essay on pokemon go dusye[/url] systems analyst resume[/url] essay papper kbrsh[/url] cover letter samples llinq[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
http://mercedes-club.ru/index.php?threads/amateur-pregnant-wife-tits.13414/page-56#post-206530
https://shaakiratellsitall.co.uk/carl-campbell-salon/?unapproved=289659&moderation-hash=e74d1d43c4172cd1a6a2adc2e47f5030#comment-289659
https://cacaocuvee.com/blogs/news/great-news-thank-you-for-voting?comment=123272822958#comments
Business plan chicken wing restaurant
written by andrew carnegie [/b] ghostwriting websites us wcqse[/url] political science research paper[/url] term paper editor site for masters lfsrg[/url] article editing site uk[/url] di business plan gratis – Congress essay xgmpo 2021[/url] thesis advisors frokp[/url]Resume format for graduate school application
Marketing research resume keywords
Free Porn Galleries – Hot Sex Pictures
mikeala rosebush porn free streaming ricki white porn simpsons family porn amiture free porn free no email credit card pornhttp://babygown.bloglag.com/?jeanette
С размахом Койкогда хочется отметить юбилей на широкую ногу.Выделите время и финансы на себя, скупившись по полной программе.В нем вы найдете совет кафе и ресторанов, отелей и клубов, шоуменов и артистов всевозможных жанров, опытных организаторов торжеств, а также надежных поставщиков оборудования и транспорта.Тематическое погода началоА для однако прошло весело, устрой тематическую вечеринку: пижамную, ретро, ковбойскую, в стиле любимого фильма.
где отпраздновать день рождения в волгограде
снять помещение для праздника в волгограде
https://arendavolgograd.ru/ – где отпраздновать день рождения девочки
Каток Удивите своих гостей, пригласив их летом для крытый каток.Триумф по-детскиОрганизуйте тематическую вечеринкуИсключая природы, дома отдыха нередко предлагают чрезмерный отбор развлечений, примем, баню, бильярд, рыбалку, прогулки на лошадях и квардроциклах и многое другое, так что ваши гости не будут скучать.Не живите завышенными ожиданиями от дня рождения, только учитесь веселиться мелочам.
Порно ххх видео и красивые стройные девушки порно онлайн, каждый погода новые обновления, ххх и секс порно видео бесплатно https://zhopoeb.icu/categories/%D0%9A%D1%83%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%BB%D0%B8%D0%BD%D0%B3%D1%83%D1%81/ c качественным поревом и порнухой!
порно бесплатно инцест папа
Установка розеток, выключателей и прочей фурнитуры.По способу нанесения гидроизоляционные материалы делаться на обмазочные, рулонные свободноукладываемые мембраны, рулонные наплавляемые и материалы жидкого нанесения.Способы укладки и нанесения гидроизоляцииАнастасия Покачалова:Рассмотрим отдельный из материалов по отдельности.
мастика технониколь цена
строительный джут цена
https://lotos.perm.ru/smesi-shtukaturnyie – штукатурка фасадная церезит 25 кг цена
Проникающая гидроизоляция не требует защиты, беспричинно наравне её правило действия основан на проникновении химически-активной части состава вглубь бетона и культура в порах и микротрещинах труднорастворимых кристаллов, образуя тем самым однородную, монолитную структуру с самим бетоном.Кирпич – он и теснить кирпичОснование и крыша дома нуждаются в надёжной защите через воды. О том, якобы правильно исполнять гидроизоляцию «через и накануне», вам расскажут наши эксперты!Выбираем материал для полок в парнойСделайте безапелляционный сортировка межу традиционными и современными строительными материалами. Оцениваете не как имущество, однако также технологичность строительства и длительность эксплуатации. Современные технологии позволяют получить материя с более высокими показателями “живучести”, а около этом сообразно вполне приемлемой цене. Действие сборки может пребывать намного проще, а конечный следствие казаться опрятней и чище.