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.
Writing strategic business plan – How to write a business farewell letter dwjvj 2021.
Proceed to Order!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
How to write good essays in english
Popular admission essay ghostwriter site for school
Bruce almighty essay questions
Cheap college essay writer site for school
Cheap critical analysis essay ghostwriting for hire for mba
How to write academic letter
Professional admission essay writing for hire for mba
cover letter for admin work vgtvc[/url] on greasy lake by boyle pwpbn[/url] for a night stocker paowe[/url] on the adventures of huckleberry hzhsf[/url] 20f1636Esl college essay editing website for school
Essay source of energy
Stagehand cover letter examples
How to write thesis abstract
Environmental essay free online
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
strategic business plan – How to write a business farewell letter dwjvj 2021[/b]http://nas.kssh.khc.edu.tw/school/imglink/hits.php?id=2&url=https://essaypro.me/
]
argumentative essay editing sites usa irmkf[/url] on line resume sample format tkeww[/url] research report results atznu[/url] maker resume pbobo[/url] to do earth science cover letter kxqms[/url]Analysis essay editing sites usa
How to write data collection sources
Example of research paper middle school
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
strategic business plan – How to write a business farewell letter dwjvj 2021[/b] analysis essay editor websites gb – Full history of kyoto research paper whvqb 2021[/url] warner robins kviwo[/url] therapy research paper topics tewux[/url] book review proofreading for hire us ksajl[/url] pro[/url]EssayPro.com Review
https://www.genuitec.com/forums/users/essaypro7033
https://google.bt/url?q=https://essaypro.me
https://google.com.jm/url?q=http://author24.ru.com
Essay to manage pollution in china
Resume review com
Master thesis communication for development
[url=http://obsledovanie.www.by/]архитектурное обследование зданий и сооружений[/url]
[url=https://edubirdie.company]edibird[/url]
http://link.upnyk.ac.id/essaypro890883
http://itregion.info/index.php/component/k2/item/1-the-profitable-side-of-machine-safety/1-the-profitable-side-of-machine-safety?limitstart=0
What is a good thesis statement for nursing
Help german homework
Term paper ghostwriting websites au
https://tarosboutique.com/blogs/news/world-peace-t-shirt-mission?comment=88207163452#comments
https://freelancetd.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2122&p=135997#p135997
https://cn.singaporego.net/viewtopic.php?pid=148237#p148237
Writing strategic business plan – How to write a business farewell letter dwjvj 2021
bad habits essay eyjns[/url] comparing contrasting thesis ftbob[/url] writing for years hlgnb[/url] article writers service for university vurcb[/url] strategic business plan – How to write a business farewell letter dwjvj 2021[/b] modern resume vcard html template boyxf[/url] technical analysis resume zfxoa[/url] dissertation chapter editing service usa nowah[/url] to write dvd rw fblem[/url] login[/url]http://resonantmind.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=111791&p=203300#p203300
http://ontac.ca/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=46972&p=114361#p114361
https://bumbleandbutter.com/blogs/recipes/apple-cheddar-crisp?comment=90091454631#comments
Sample teacher resume with references
strategic business plan – How to write a business farewell letter dwjvj 2021[/b] order cook resume samples nmxfi[/url] to write a research paper mla format example – Gordon parks flavio home essay gwfdj 2021[/url] eelman resume hjpfv[/url] course work writing for hire gb – Alpine dental business plan gobyj 2021[/url] resume samples dgxwl[/url] modelling resume – Geography essay editing for hire jipsn 2021[/url]Custom rhetorical analysis essay proofreading website ca
English literature sample essay questions
https://bulios.com/status/46949-watch-house-party-2023-fullmovie-free-online-on-123movies
https://bulios.com/status/46950-watch-house-party-2023-fullmovie-free-online-at-home
https://bulios.com/status/46952-house-party-2023-fullmovie-download-online-free-720p-480p-and-1080p1
https://bulios.com/status/46954-watch-house-party-2023-fullmovie-online-free
https://bulios.com/status/46957-free-to-watch-house-party-2023-online-on-123movies
https://bulios.com/status/46962-watch-plane-2023-fullmovie-free-online-on-123movies
https://bulios.com/status/46965-watch-plane-2023-fullmovie-free-online-at-home
https://bulios.com/status/46968-plane-2023-fullmovie-download-online-free-720p-480p-and-1080p1
https://bulios.com/status/46971-watch-plane-2023-fullmovie-online-free
https://bulios.com/status/46972-free-to-watch-plane-2023-online-on-123movies
https://bulios.com/status/46974-watch-megan-m3gan-2023-fullmovie-free-online-on-123movies
https://bulios.com/status/46975-watch-megan-m3gan-2023-fullmovie-free-online-at-home
https://bulios.com/status/46976-megan-m3gan-2023-fullmovie-download-online-free-720p-480p-and-1080p1
https://bulios.com/status/46979-watch-megan-m3gan-2023-fullmovie-online-free
https://bulios.com/status/46980-free-to-watch-megan-m3gan-2023-online-on-123movies
https://bulios.com/status/46984-watch-a-man-called-otto-2023-fullmovie-free-online-on-123movies
https://bulios.com/status/46988-watch-a-man-called-otto-2023-fullmovie-free-online-at-home
https://bulios.com/status/46990-a-man-called-otto-2023-fullmovie-download-online-free-720p-480p-and-1080p1
https://bulios.com/status/46994-watch-a-man-called-otto-2023-fullmovie-online-free
https://bulios.com/status/46996-free-to-watch-a-man-called-otto-2023-online-on-123movies
https://bulios.com/status/47005-watch-avatar-2-the-way-of-water-otto-2023-fullmovie-free-online-on-123movies
https://bulios.com/status/47006-watch-avatar-2-the-way-of-water-2023-fullmovie-free-online-at-home
https://bulios.com/status/47010-avatar-2-the-way-of-water-2023-fullmovie-download-online-free-720p-480p-and-1080p1
https://bulios.com/status/47012-watch-avatar-2-the-way-of-water-2023-fullmovie-online-free
https://bulios.com/status/47015-free-to-watch-avatar-2-the-way-of-water-2023-online-on-123movies
https://bulios.com/status/47017-watch-puss-in-boots-the-last-wish-2023-fullmovie-free-online-on-123movies
https://bulios.com/status/47020-watch-puss-in-boots-the-last-wish-2023-fullmovie-free-online-at-home
https://bulios.com/status/47031-puss-in-boots-the-last-wish-2023-fullmovie-download-online-free-720p-480p-and-1080p1
https://bulios.com/status/47035-watch-puss-in-boots-the-last-wish-2023-fullmovie-online-free
https://bulios.com/status/47041-free-to-watch-puss-in-boots-the-last-wish-2023-online-on-123movies
https://events.ydr.com/event/fca61e1029aafaa474852ccf4709eda5
https://events.ydr.com/event/30b95d0a93b934113f6c73e4e7e1aa9f
https://events.ydr.com/event/8b821d438f4398777cf4eb831eeefcad
https://events.ydr.com/event/225727abcbb0d6752efb06c4a1faf8b1
https://events.ydr.com/event/68a3d72c2d873ebe9ef24b54b51ec374
https://events.ydr.com/event/e0fe0c5563fd87f98d6f25411635fe3c
https://events.ydr.com/event/620072fbb17217434a7b233128a7341f
https://events.ydr.com/event/1b47b009a1b4596b0a0ff76179d1125e
https://events.ydr.com/event/f97b0fb6f64ed2ad092715d0f5a837b2
https://events.ydr.com/event/3d46374881088477aa4661676a486189
https://events.ydr.com/event/bdc4add66fdab495a6155638cc9442e8
https://events.ydr.com/event/c76961695583f00fb0e7bc557c2382fc
https://events.ydr.com/event/b571d98bba4549d721c455d5e97d3484
https://events.ydr.com/event/7746f27b933f19f339c3553ab7088b79
https://events.ydr.com/event/38d15ad4ce637d945724eba9664fc823
https://events.ydr.com/event/a9dd33e0cf6a761bed4e002c1d930c4e
https://events.ydr.com/event/8d8456ab270c4ed4d38e074bb170bc49
https://events.ydr.com/event/dce2571b3d2a8f1693d552fb23ee1daa
https://hackmd.io/NevWWf64T7iQwimNuI3tWw/BkQcE3-si https://hackmd.io/coolmovie/BJR2H3-js
https://hackmd.io/NevWWf64T7iQwimNuI3tWw/B1vxwh-oj https://hackmd.io/coolmovie/HJ9JO2bjs
https://hackmd.io/NevWWf64T7iQwimNuI3tWw/S1Cqdn-so https://hackmd.io/coolmovie/HJ9BFh-io
https://hackmd.io/NevWWf64T7iQwimNuI3tWw/ByFD9nbij https://hackmd.io/coolmovie/rJfyo2Wjs
https://hackmd.io/NevWWf64T7iQwimNuI3tWw/HJcGn3bos https://hackmd.io/coolmovie/SyYTnh-ij
https://hackmd.io/NevWWf64T7iQwimNuI3tWw/B1gCT2-jo https://hackmd.io/coolmovie/H1DqAn-oi
https://hackmd.io/NevWWf64T7iQwimNuI3tWw/H1h0Jaboj https://hackmd.io/coolmovie/SkHmbabso
https://hackmd.io/NevWWf64T7iQwimNuI3tWw/ryBbrTWoi https://hackmd.io/coolmovie/B1b0Habos
https://hackmd.io/NevWWf64T7iQwimNuI3tWw/HJ_awaZjo https://hackmd.io/coolmovie/BJvE_Tboj
https://unsplash.com/plane2023fullmoviewatchhere https://unsplash.com/planefullmoviedownload
https://unsplash.com/houseparty2023fullmoviefree https://unsplash.com/housepartyfullmoviedownload
https://unsplash.com/thedevilconspiracy2023fullmovie https://unsplash.com/thedevilconspiracyfullmoviedownload
https://unsplash.com/theoffering2023fullmovie https://unsplash.com/theofferingfullmoviefreedownload
https://unsplash.com/womentalkingfullmoviefree https://unsplash.com/womentalkingfullmoviedownload
https://unsplash.com/meganm3ganfullmoviefree https://unsplash.com/meganm3ganfullmoviedownload
https://unsplash.com/amancalledotto2023fullmovie https://unsplash.com/amancalledottofullmoviedownload
https://unsplash.com/babylonfullmoviefree https://unsplash.com/babylonfullmoviedownload
https://unsplash.com/thewhalefullmoviefree https://unsplash.com/thewhalefullmoviedownload
https://unsplash.com/iwannadancewithsomebodyfullmoviefree https://unsplash.com/iwannadancewithsombodydownload
https://unsplash.com/pussinbootsthelastdancefullmoviefree https://unsplash.com/pussinbootsthelastdancefullmoviedownload
https://unsplash.com/avatarthewayofwaterfullmoviefree https://unsplash.com/avatarthewayofwaterfullmoviedownload
https://hackmd.io/NevWWf64T7iQwimNuI3tWw/S1MLszkjo https://hackmd.io/D2R_NWn-Q9WWiecq32wytw/B1nhsz1os
https://hackmd.io/coolmovie/ryEHnzkji https://hackmd.io/hollywoodnow/HykfTzJis
https://hackmd.io/NevWWf64T7iQwimNuI3tWw/rysk0fyis https://hackmd.io/D2R_NWn-Q9WWiecq32wytw/ryiNRzJjo
https://hackmd.io/coolmovie/BJhtCzkji https://hackmd.io/hollywoodnow/ByppCz1os
https://hackmd.io/NevWWf64T7iQwimNuI3tWw/BJOiym1oi https://hackmd.io/D2R_NWn-Q9WWiecq32wytw/ry7Zl71is
https://hackmd.io/coolmovie/HJQLlXkos https://hackmd.io/hollywoodnow/B1_ix7yis
https://hackmd.io/NevWWf64T7iQwimNuI3tWw/HJoDb7Jsj https://hackmd.io/D2R_NWn-Q9WWiecq32wytw/SyoibXksj
https://hackmd.io/coolmovie/B1LfGQJoj https://hackmd.io/hollywoodnow/ByDvf7kis
https://hackmd.io/NevWWf64T7iQwimNuI3tWw/ryh47Q1ss https://hackmd.io/D2R_NWn-Q9WWiecq32wytw/Hyht77Jsi
https://hackmd.io/coolmovie/ry6TmQysi https://hackmd.io/hollywoodnow/rJpaEQyso
https://hackmd.io/NevWWf64T7iQwimNuI3tWw/ByvsrQ1jj https://hackmd.io/D2R_NWn-Q9WWiecq32wytw/SJ4l8Qyso
https://hackmd.io/coolmovie/ry18871ji https://hackmd.io/hollywoodnow/HJv98mkji
https://hackmd.io/NevWWf64T7iQwimNuI3tWw/r1bEvQkjo https://hackmd.io/D2R_NWn-Q9WWiecq32wytw/BJkiwm1ji
https://hackmd.io/coolmovie/ryJeOXJjo https://hackmd.io/hollywoodnow/r1iNuXJjo
https://hackmd.io/NevWWf64T7iQwimNuI3tWw/S1kHY71ii https://hackmd.io/D2R_NWn-Q9WWiecq32wytw/ry9dtXJos
https://hackmd.io/coolmovie/H1DpYX1ji https://hackmd.io/hollywoodnow/rJ2Wcmyso
https://hackmd.io/NevWWf64T7iQwimNuI3tWw/HJ3jq71jj https://hackmd.io/D2R_NWn-Q9WWiecq32wytw/ByGlsXyji
https://hackmd.io/coolmovie/rku4iQkoi https://hackmd.io/hollywoodnow/r1f_iQ1jj
https://hackmd.io/NevWWf64T7iQwimNuI3tWw/ByPWnQ1js https://hackmd.io/D2R_NWn-Q9WWiecq32wytw/rywrhXJss
https://hackmd.io/coolmovie/SJ15hX1ij https://hackmd.io/hollywoodnow/H1kyp7Jjo
https://bulios.com/status/42910-megan-m3gan-2023-fullmovie-watch-free-720p-480p-hd-eng
https://bulios.com/status/42911-megan-m3gan-2023-online-fullmovie-free-download-720p-1080p-subbed-english
https://bulios.com/status/42912-watch-megan-m3gan-free-fullmovie-online-reddit
https://bulios.com/status/42913-watch-megan-m3gan-2023-fullmovie-free-online-on-123movies
https://bulios.com/status/42914-a-man-called-otto-2023-fullmovie-watch-free-720p-480p-hd-eng
https://bulios.com/status/42915-a-man-called-otto-2023-online-fullmovie-free-download-720p-1080p-subbed-english
https://bulios.com/status/42916-watch-a-man-called-otto-free-fullmovie-online-reddit
https://bulios.com/status/42917-watch-a-man-called-otto-2023-fullmovie-free-online-on-123movies
https://bulios.com/status/42918-operation-fortune-2023-fullmovie-watch-free-720p-480p-hd-eng
https://bulios.com/status/42919-operation-fortune-2023-online-fullmovie-free-download-720p-1080p-subbed-english
https://bulios.com/status/42920-watch-operation-fortune-free-fullmovie-online-reddit
https://bulios.com/status/42921-watch-operation-fortune-2023-fullmovie-free-online-on-123movies
https://bulios.com/status/42922-plane-2023-fullmovie-watch-free-720p-480p-hd-eng
https://bulios.com/status/42923-plane-2023-online-fullmovie-free-download-720p-1080p-subbed-english
https://bulios.com/status/42924-watch-plane-free-fullmovie-online-reddit
https://bulios.com/status/42925-watch-plane-2023-fullmovie-free-online-on-123movies
https://bulios.com/status/42926-house-party-2023-fullmovie-watch-free-720p-480p-hd-eng
https://bulios.com/status/42927-house-party-2023-online-fullmovie-free-download-720p-1080p-subbed-english
https://bulios.com/status/42928-watch-house-party-free-fullmovie-online-reddit
https://bulios.com/status/42929-watch-house-party-2023-fullmovie-free-online-on-123movies
https://bulios.com/status/42930-the-devil-conspiracy-2023-fullmovie-watch-free-720p-480p-hd-eng
https://bulios.com/status/42931-the-devil-conspiracy-2023-online-fullmovie-free-download-720p-1080p-subbed-english
https://bulios.com/status/42932-watch-the-devil-conspiracy-free-fullmovie-online-reddit
https://bulios.com/status/42933-watch-the-devil-conspiracy-2023-fullmovie-free-online-on-123movies
https://bulios.com/status/42934-the-offering-2023-fullmovie-watch-free-720p-480p-hd-eng
https://bulios.com/status/42935-the-offering-2023-online-fullmovie-free-download-720p-1080p-subbed-english
https://bulios.com/status/42937-watch-the-offering-2023-fullmovie-free-online-on-123movies
https://bulios.com/status/42938-watch-the-offering-free-fullmovie-online-reddit
https://bulios.com/status/42940-puss-in-boots-the-last-wish-2023-fullmovie-watch-free-720p-480p-hd-eng
https://bulios.com/status/42941-puss-in-boots-the-last-wish-2023-online-fullmovie-free-download-720p-1080p-subbed-english
https://bulios.com/status/42944-watch-puss-in-boots-the-last-wish-free-fullmovie-online-reddit
https://bulios.com/status/42945-watch-puss-in-boots-the-last-wish-2023-fullmovie-free-online-on-123movies
https://bulios.com/status/42946-i-wanna-dance-with-somebody-2023-fullmovie-watch-free-720p-480p-hd-eng
https://bulios.com/status/42947-i-wanna-dance-with-somebody-2023-online-fullmovie-free-download-720p-1080p-subbed-english
https://bulios.com/status/42948-watch-i-wanna-dance-with-somebody-free-fullmovie-online-reddit
https://bulios.com/status/42951-watch-i-wanna-dance-with-somebody-2023-fullmovie-free-online-on-123movies
https://bulios.com/status/42956-avatar-the-way-of-water-2023-fullmovie-watch-free-720p-480p-hd-eng
https://bulios.com/status/42958-avatar-the-way-of-water-2023-online-fullmovie-free-download-720p-1080p-subbed-english
https://bulios.com/status/42961-watch-avatar-the-way-of-water-free-fullmovie-online-reddit
https://bulios.com/status/42963-watch-avatar-the-way-of-water-2023-fullmovie-free-online-on-123movies