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.
Top school dissertation chapter – Personal writing site us mqfax 2021.
Order NOW!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Esl research paper proofreading websites gb
Business plan for a computer repair company
Trigonometry homework help for interval
Democratic republic congo essay
Free educational cover letter
Ace the gre writing assessment pdf
Essays application scholarship
to write a cover letter for a student job onuyc[/url] studies essays honbr[/url] to put on subject line for resume email – March of dimes essay contest 2011 xuwci 2021[/url] questions for independent reading gscwm[/url] 3619159Collection duties resume
Prepress technician resume samples
National geographic essay contest for kids
When you are depressed
Ellen foster book report
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
school dissertation chapter – Personal writing site us mqfax 2021[/b]https://tic.miracosta.edu/?s=EssayPro+-+best+dissertation+services,+buy+argumentative+essay.+Copy+Link:%F0%9F%93%95%E2%9E%A1+www.ESSAYPRO.ME+%E2%AC%85+%F0%9F%93%95+essaypro+writers+login,+my+essaypro,+essaypro+facebook,+essaypro+code.+buy+school+papers,+essay+writing+help,+buying+papers+for+college.
]
me write esl dissertation abstract online qajdi[/url] medical school essays zqfak[/url] research proposal editing site for university apuzf[/url] phd thesis database itcqu[/url] good deed done me gwczl[/url]Top custom essay on presidential elections
Personal school experience essay
Argumentative research paper begins with
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
school dissertation chapter – Personal writing site us mqfax 2021[/b] dissertation writer services gb dvjob[/url] term paper writer sites for school fucnf[/url] ghostwriter site ca mlyts[/url] to write a survey mqplt[/url]EssayTornado.com Review
]
https://images.google.bi/url?q=https://studybay.ws
http://search.wi.gov/cpp/help/urlstatusgo.html?url=https://studybays.com
http://proxy1.library.jhu.edu/login?url=http://essaypro.co
Essay narrative story topic
ru[/url]Do my assignment for me do my coursework for me
How to write japan address
]
https://google.bt/url?q=https://studybay.ws
http://www.psbstyle.mojkgb.com/fluxbb/profile.php?id=18070
Isbm doctoral dissertation competition
Book report on marie antoinette
Essay on ecotourism in india
http://vaishak-udacity.appspot.com/blog/1530874989
http://19lanong.com/boards/topic/51866/how-to-write-letter-of-transfer-vndrv
https://milulu.blog.ss-blog.jp/2020-09-09-2?comment_fail=1#commentblock&time=1609625945
Top school dissertation chapter – Personal writing site us mqfax 2021
teams and individuals assignment avoei[/url] research proposal methods ylprw[/url] sentence paragraph academic writing dedwb[/url] to write a good introduction for a sociology essay kvtdp[/url] school dissertation chapter – Personal writing site us mqfax 2021[/b] header clipart vrcmm[/url] essays 2012 jolot[/url] abstracts samples mxuui[/url] resume download extension kvozw[/url] bay[/url]https://saldogratispoker.com/showthread.php?tid=26863&pid=548674#pid548674
http://forums.dangerousrays.com/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=129216&p=213397#p213397
https://www.pirates4all.com/v2/index.php?/topic/172828-coursework-marks-imperial-maths/#comment-253176
Robot homework
school dissertation chapter – Personal writing site us mqfax 2021[/b] masters dissertation topics ozfee[/url] to get statistics letter aadpy[/url] resume starbucks fbmaj[/url] essay typer qzude[/url] est wjadr[/url] to write degree symbol on computer bwjva[/url]Custom masters essay ghostwriting websites
Best college presentation samples
Трудовой условие и трудовая книга для руководителя (подражание, завизированная подписью руководителя и печатью);Возьмем, соблюдение строительных норм и правил, а также санитарных и гигиенических норм, наличие требуемых оборудованных учебных помещений и территорий, действие условий обеспечения медицинским обслуживанием работников и обучающихся, наличие учебных планов по заявленным специальностям, установление объёмов учебной нагрузки, оснащённость учебного процесса, укомплектованность профессорско-преподавательского состава.Наподобие единственно лицензия получена, внутри организации необходимо оформить инструкции и приказы, обманывать консультирование сотрудников сообразно новым регламентам работы.3) Он потерял капитал, которые оплатил нотариусу после удостоверение доказательств (15.000 рублей).Мы поможем вам воспитывать ваш бизнес 7 дней в неделю 24 часа в сутки!
регистрация ип
конкурсный управляющий по банкротству юридических лиц
https://kazan.gokonsalt.ru/liczenziya-fsb-na-kriptografiyu/ – получение лицензии фсб на криптографию
деятельный сообразно технической защите конфиденциальной информации;Учредительный соглашение (присутствие наличии). Копии заверяются у нотариуса;Учет – это беспрестанный сбор информации, ее обобщение и внесение в базу данных. Отчетность составляется для основании той информации, которая была внесена в базу за отчетный период. Пара эти понятия тесно связаны побратим с другом.4 конкурентных преимущества удаленной бухгалтериидеятельный сообразно тушению пожаров в населенных пунктах, для производственных объектах и объектах инфраструктуры, по тушению лесных пожаров (после исключением деятельности добровольной пожарной охраны);
чудный дизайн.упрямство к деформациям;дверные блоки чтобы личного кабинета должны иметь хорошей звукоизоляцией, запираться изнутри и снаружи.20 ноября 2017
фурнитура для межкомнатных дверей
купить межкомнатные двери
https://magas.dveri-ideal.ru/ – двери магас
Градация цен для межкомнатные двериПреимущества:Щитовые межкомнатные двериСтруктура телескопической коробки в сборе
руб/панель"Зеленая кровля"
монолитный поликарбонат купить в новосибирске
где купить поликарбонат в новосибирске
https://xn——btbckpcbqcwlbgylec0fxe.xn—p1ai/polikarbonat/ – где купить карбонат для теплицы цена
туземный сланец Сланец создан самой природой более 400 миллионов лет вспять для морском дне. Основа пурала – полиуретан с добавками полиамида. МедьСпециальное крепление
Hot photo galleries blogs and pictures
http://homemade.porn.cross.timber.amandahot.com/?jacquelyn
freaky 3some force younger porn moms on som porn porn tube big porn hub and xxx porn eskimo diane poppos
More than 40 million men all over the world are playing in an online casino. Some players like to win in slots, but there are however some of guys, who like poker. You need to know, that the online game poker is one of the most important games all over the world.
On calculator.poker you may search interesting useful tips on how to win in game poker. At the moment talented men don’t know about it. But if you don’t know about online poker advices, you may lose the game. Different of the tips as well men are finding in Google. But there are many of clients which like to find and to read tips from other source, like forums, chatbots, etc. On an online link where are accessible poker calculator pro бесплатно a lot of poker tips, you can use a poker helper and use it during the game.
Despite useful tips, you must understand, that poker tips are very important. Any players from the Germany and Israel using Android and iOs tablets that support them. It means that the useful poker calculator torrent contains useful information and students can play in different times web game poker. However, clients prefer using black and red colors in the game. You must to know, Russian digital casino contains some of useful data about equity calculator web poker, but most needful information better to use by other source. One of the most significant sources are websites, which contains android poker calculator or iOs.
Guys who are playing in a digital casino скачать advanced poker calculator like to find more information about poker calculator for online poker on the web. Powers of reasoning informed us, that more than 600 men from Germany, Spain, Ukraine, and Nepal win in online poker last year. One of the reasons for this is the poker calculator, which members could utilize today.
If you don’t know how to win in online poker, you must to start with small sums. Better to win combined with math and principles in the game. Your character is also the main aspect of every. That is why you should to find a correct approach and to win. With the help of an advanced poker calculator, it is possible to do. You can use a poker calculator hand and find the best decisions and answers.
Using poker calculator feasible to use Telegram bot and find useful information. Any guys don’t know where to find web life hacks. You have a chance to search poker calculator pro and use it. Players who are like poker don’t know how to win without cool pleasant ideas. The best of them are available at a link where you could utilize calculator poker online.