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
My new hot project|enjoy new website
twp porn upskirt porn free videos free online porn eating out free video secretary porn hot house gay pornhttp://teenmalegayporn.alexysexy.com/?maria
Hot galleries, daily updated collections
ebony solo porn woman fucks dog porn japan porn movies edible underwear porn flexable pussy pornhttp://amateurwivessex.gayclips.instakink.com/?malia
NEED PAPER WRITING HELP?
College essay on physics .
Proceed to Order!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Cheap reflective essay editing for hire for college
How to write a courtesy call letter
Do my cheap admission essay on trump
Cover letter interior design company
Skills put resume cashier
Custom assignment writer site
How to cite a paper using apa format
cheap essay ghostwriters website for college[/url] essay ghostwriter websites us bzmvf[/url] civilian resume builder help igato[/url] examples elementary teacher koier 2021[/url] dca16_2Resume for catering sales
Essays about literature examples
Esl phd essay ghostwriting websites for school
Cover letter for technical support executive
Esl essays editing site uk
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
essay on physics [/b]https://bestqualitypapers.com
[url=https://studybay-com.blogfree.net/]studybay[/url]
]
development essay for teachers qxazl 2021[/url] resume cover letter template – Esl article review writing services for mba usxev 2021[/url] essay on globalization[/url] descriptive 5 paragraph essay ldweg[/url] in employment resume example fdego[/url]Top dissertation results proofreading sites for phd
36 beautiful resume designs
Best school essay ghostwriter site for phd
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
essay on physics [/b] essay writing website gzgsn 2021[/url] apa research paper word document erkup[/url] cover letters for barn manager pudaw[/url] to write an elegy poem[/url]dissertation mit
]
https://images.google.com.hk/url?q=https://studybay.ws
https://rehberglaw.com/verizon-company/#li-comment-405130
https://images.google.sc/url?q=https://edubirdie.review
Best business plan for project
Great computer viruses essay full auth4 filmbay yn1ii qj html
Thesis customization user guide pdf
[url=http://xn——htbcnhwhkni.xn—p1ai]топ кредитов[/url]
[url=https://researchpaper.edu.pl]research paper[/url]
http://primimc.ru/blog/15259.html
https://stutchen.de/index.php?title=User:EduBirdiecom
Menswear sales resume
Example of how to write a winning social security disability
Help me write esl paper
https://elearning.go4films.nl/2016/01/20/tips-to-succeed-in-an-online-course/?unapproved=114129&moderation-hash=5627c85c10381de11c4edef29f30be3f#comment-114129
https://zacwayeyewear.com/blogs/zacway/what-is-ionizing-electromagnetic-radiation?comment=121416024137#comments
http://www.division-gaming.net/test2000/index.php/forum/2-welcome-mat/3168155-top-scholarship-essay-ghostwriting-websites-gb#3168155
College essay on physics
essay topics vhqci[/url] critical thinking editing for hire us ymjui[/url] graphic design cover letter template[/url] home work editor for hire for phd[/url] essay on physics [/b] admission essay editing for hire au wzubp 2021[/url] mba essay ghostwriting websites ca[/url] and prejudice essay feminism nckuf[/url] resume samples food service soibl[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
https://astanatextile.kz/blog/1-e-mesto-zoloto/#comment_16531
https://wap.whycj.cn/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=663910&extra=
https://forum.golestanmporg.ir/showthread.php?tid=108360&pid=138922#pid138922
Argumentative essay on religion vs science
essay on physics [/b] sample resume for customer service agent odbnl[/url] editing for hire ca swzth[/url] movie review editing sites[/url] to write a promotion speech qecyf 2021[/url] movie review proofreading site for phd tsnca[/url] word online resume templates xgghm[/url]Sample resume of customer service specialist
To write a bibliography in a
Телеграмм Бот по раздаче монет Эфириума. Полный пассив! Совершенно бесплатно и доступно даже школьнику. Заходите на Телеграмм, нажимаете на Старт и сразу получите 1000 szabo на кошелёк. (1 szabo = 0.000001 ЕТН). [url=https://ethereum-automining.blogspot.com/][b]Более детально>>>[/b][/url]
[url=https://ethereum-automining.blogspot.com/]боты +в телеграмме +для заработка криптовалюты[/url]
]
Write a book programme .
Order NOW!!! https://www.google.co.hu/url?q=https://studybay.ws
UYhjhgTDkJHVy