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
Sexy teen photo galleries
free porn world slass free porn porn lisa ann fuck me french cartoon porn free kiddie porn movies internet porn addictionshttp://cartoonpornart.relayblog.com/?susana
Hot sexy porn projects, daily updates
http://vintage.porn.davis.adablog69.com/?kenna
bam porn videos h2 porn 100 free porn no subscriptions free xxx porn of grannies porn star smacking
When someone writes an paragraph he/she maintains the image of a user in his/her brain that how a user can know it. Thus that’s why this paragraph is outstdanding. Thanks! For women lersri.teswomango.com/for-women/
Sexy pictures each day
http://doraloninepornmovies.alypics.com/?makayla
porn ron jermey amature young porn clips and thumbs cool porn xxx sex porn movie with a plot bad juju porn
NEED PAPER WRITING ?
Thesis restaurant .
Order NOW!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Best blog post writing service us
Best phd essay ghostwriting website for college
Serv cover letter
Example of sales business plan
Mba assignment help
Teaching essay analytical grammar review
Popular dissertation methodology editor websites online
examples for it resume vtrqz[/url] psychology research paper topics umhnj[/url] ideal first date essay fbiwp[/url] creative writing for kids esvgd[/url] e431adcEnterprise architect resume
Professional critical analysis essay ghostwriter sites uk
Algebraic geometry homework
Popular admission essay proofreading sites uk
Damascus essays
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
restaurant [/b] pro[/url][url=http://studybay-com.bloggin-ads.com]studybay[/url]
Topics for presentation
my scholarship essay on shakespeare tpdgw 2021[/url] do you reference a manual in apa format frcju 2021[/url] to write clues for a treasure hunt – Strategic analysis essay lquvy 2021[/url] resume yutwa 2021[/url] 6 homework yuvyi 2021[/url]How to write a one page synopsis for a book
Brand identity designer resume
https://sites.google.com/view/my-essaytyper/
restaurant [/b] gregory thesis okohl[/url] ounce of cure essay tetha[/url] is an proposal essay – Cheap custom essay writing sites for college cypyv 2021[/url] letter health care samples abref 2021[/url]tghuTRTjigFIr6F
m tech dissertation report
]
http://job.dapw.com/Discuz/home.php?mod=space&uid=119300
https://anotepad.com/notes/kxsaq58i
https://is.gd/cYxtSh
Problems of professional sports essay
Resume bachelor of fine arts
Independent writing topics for toefl
]
[url=http://microzaymy.ru/]микрозаймы на карту[/url]
https://cinno-sys.com/handwritten-notes-vs-typed-records-can-there-be-a-5/
http://www.bupingtheming.com/forums/users/annajohnsonus/
Buy culture homework
How to write definition of terms in research
Enthymeme thesis examples
https://www.buffher.com/blogs/blog/apples-to-lighten-skin-acne-scars?comment=122427736251#comments
http://appdev.163.ca/dz163/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=1313940&pid=5660574&page=29&extra=#pid5660574
http://wowshop.com.tw/art/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=7558&pid=738602&page=1119&extra=#pid738602
Thesis restaurant
popular rhetorical analysis essay on trump vmyol[/url] for oracle resume hkqzp[/url] the savage brave new world essay tzipq[/url] cls file latex sljfi[/url] restaurant [/b] math practice test with answers pdf xgzpv[/url] resume editing service for phd ligbb 2021[/url] template biology student chpuc[/url] essay oral presentation – Cheap custom essay proofreading websites au cyoro 2021[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
https://whimsyandever.com/blogs/blog/the-pauperly-princess?comment=125360570439#comments
https://www.al97.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=379904&pid=2282339&page=1653&extra=page%3D1#pid2282339
http://seligerforum.ru/index.php?/topic/207032-a-visit-to-an-interesting-place-essay/page-19#entry2521426
White paper example apa format
restaurant [/b] on against internet censorship – Crunching business plan ioaaa 2021[/url] for bar manager vkeya[/url] thesis high school pkuey[/url] topics for sociology research papers xxrcj[/url] to make money writing[/url] essay writer website vngec[/url]Custom critical analysis essay writing for hire au
Popular essays writing sites online