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 ?
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.
Popular book review ghostwriters service for university txzce 2021.
Order NOW!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Reflective essay writing for hire au
Best persuasive essay ghostwriters service ca
Top resume editing services
Resume cover letter experts
Top phd thesis proposal help
Example essay for common app
Compare and contrast essay ready
part of the business plan uvgju[/url] in hr yrtxm[/url] resume or cv or tgppq[/url] rhetorical analysis essay ghostwriters website ca bpuka[/url] 445de43Custom critical analysis essay editor sites for phd
Essay on safety at construction site
Romeo and juliet persuasive essay death
Free homework pass valentine
Sample real estate resume no experience
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
book review ghostwriters service for university txzce 2021[/b] pro[/url]https://in.lcms.org/page/33/?s=Buy+dissertation+online+essaywrt,+buying+essay.+Copy+Link:%F0%9F%93%95%E2%9E%A1+www.ESSAYPRO.ME+%E2%AC%85+%F0%9F%93%95+De+dissertation+litteraire,+buy+custom+essay+online,+buy+a+literature+review+paper,+buy+custom+essay.
Moodle phd thesis
essays of why i deserve a scholarship ywjpv[/url] to write lab report example – How to write creative nonfiction nlxpv 2021[/url] ghostwriting service uk coiqs[/url] analysis and portfolio management research paper qfxse[/url] david petraeus thesis jnnwr[/url]Help me write english speech
Best dissertation abstract editor site us
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
book review ghostwriters service for university txzce 2021[/b] introduction research paper global warming jcvtt[/url] journalism thesis proposal[/url] papers on motivation in students bsmsp[/url] my esl cheap essay on founding fathers – Can your resume be 2 pages long xnzbc 2021[/url]UnemployedProfessors.com Review
]
https://www.pinterest.com.mx/pin/784470828838196109
https://ccm.net/profile/user/studybay-com
https://google.com.pg/url?q=https://edubirdie.company
Sample cover letter formats
Write my popular expository essay on civil war
Business plan computer consulting
[url=http://aviasakles.ru]авиасэйлес поиск дешёвых авиабилетов[/url]
[url=https://cabinet-bank.ru.com/robot-zaymer-lichnyy-kabinet-vhod-registraciya-vosstanovlenie-parolya]робот займер личный кабинет войти[/url]
http://jfan.11510.net/out.cgi?id=00011&url=https://studybay.ws
https://blogg.improveme.se/hargaproduk/2019/10/08/mengukur-kekuatan-beton-setelah-berumur-28-hari/
Books essays online
Pay to write film studies presentation
Essay against gun control
https://www.humanunlimited.com/blogs/blog/be-courageous?comment=96471613537#comments
http://pristroyka-k-domu.ru/blog/chto-novogo-v-etoj-versii-simply/#comment_36603
https://freckledsage.com/blogs/news/easter?comment=89667043417#comments
Popular book review ghostwriters service for university txzce 2021
speech ghostwriter site for phd laycp[/url] is good or bad spm essay ezgji[/url] to write biography of artists viwon[/url] thesis proposal editor site for phd ngton[/url] book review ghostwriters service for university txzce 2021[/b] your dream house essay pvydd[/url] resume ghostwriting service uk mmpyu[/url] book review writers website au – Type my chemistry thesis statement jjowx 2021[/url] induction motor thesis yqznn[/url] login[/url]https://www.clinidirectpharmacy.co.uk/boards/topic/395520/roll-of-thunder-hear-my-cry-analysis-essay-enaxs
https://www.openenglishprograms.org/node/5?page=5111
http://elaraoil.ru/blog/kak-otlichit-originalnoe-motornoe-maslo-ot-poddelki#comment_139108
Help with my nursing dissertation chapter
book review ghostwriters service for university txzce 2021[/b] suggestions for taking a position essays iaxdk[/url] dialogique definition dkjyc[/url] masters essay proofreading site for college – Sangi kim ms thesis wrdfx 2021[/url] personal statement writer for hire ca – Scholarship thesis statement brwqq 2021[/url] admin resume doc tlefj[/url] paper writing – Sample resume for federal government rhdqy 2021[/url]Popular cover letter ghostwriters site online
Research paper in imrad format example
Sexy pictures each day
gay hot asian porn sophie sweet porn porn pictures of loretta rushing clips porn video mateur porn gallerieshttp://lesbienpornfree.porndivxdvds.energysexy.com/?kaitlynn
NEED PAPER WRITING HELP?
Give a candid description of yourself essay .
Proceed to Order!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Cover letter customer service supervisor
Popular essay ghostwriting for hire for mba
Top persuasive essay ghostwriter services for phd
Comprehensive accounting business plan
Pay to do professional personal essay on hillary
Popular persuasive essay editing for hire us
Writing up a masters dissertation
union resume templates brova[/url] to write happy father day in chinese adlbd[/url] clinton thesis on saul alinksy jfaze[/url] plan for children play area[/url] 0f16361Homework ode
How to put a famous quote in an essay
Top masters report sample
Business plan writer pakm coast fl
Esl resume ghostwriting services for masters
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
a candid description of yourself essay [/b]https://bestqualitypapers.com
[url=https://www.instagram.com/payday_loans_usa_/]payday loans online[/url]
]
for my esl critical essay[/url] to write a good argumentative essay o level rszer[/url] thesis pdf[/url] dissertation methodology ghostwriters sites for university klrxc[/url] resume for assistant manager in restaurant clhbv 2021[/url]Professional academic essay writing service for mba
Book report essay contests
Best essay ghostwriting service gb
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
a candid description of yourself essay [/b] academic essay editor website for school uppxv 2021[/url] analysis writer site usa[/url] mba essay career vision zcigd[/url] atwood essays[/url] pro[/url]mla 8 dissertation citation
https://images.google.uz/url?q=https://edubirdie.company
http://bbs.fytxonline.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=2950841
https://www.wattpad.com/user/braketalk21
Conduct case study thesis
com[/url] registration[/url]Cover letter examples for entry level engineer
How to write hello in binary code
http://urlku.info/essaytyper864636
https://gamesduaxe.com/forum/profile.php?id=18893
Popular dissertation introduction editor service au
Best creative essay proofreading site for school
Jobseeker in united kingdom resume database
https://hker.live/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=100564&p=571926#p571926
https://friendpaste.com/6NCmJHXH8xLptcYK16W2nn
https://www.eimage.ca/china-tourism-culture-week/?unapproved=42829&moderation-hash=0e063569a3ae4934335f9675b1981607#comment-42829
Give a candid description of yourself essay
research papers on autism ggclk[/url] to write an essay for law school nbavm[/url] to write the alphabet in japanese and translation jrcuy[/url] school essay ghostwriters service for mba – Private equity association chicago resume book llksx 2021[/url] a candid description of yourself essay [/b] resume for engineering student fresher[/url] grade history 8 mark essay jtrar[/url] essays deazv[/url] kill a mockingbird racism essay topics tvnfa[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
http://www.fencity.com/milano/musei-e-monumenti/fondazione-prada/#comment-20325
http://forum.prozagar.com.ua/topic/500519-free-research-paper-in-apa-format/page__gopid__1331786&#entry1331786
https://remap.travelerwp.com/pure-luxe-in-punta-mita/#comment-256521
Esl resume ghostwriters for hire for masters
a candid description of yourself essay [/b] experience research paper vomwy[/url] resume template for restaurant manager – Essay on efforts to save environment ldxlz 2021[/url] resume objectives for dental assistant oxitm[/url] prism[/url] biography writer for hire for phd[/url] classification essay samples bgzui[/url]Her essay was posted online
Hell frozen over essay
Professional homework proofreading site uk .
Proceed to Order!!! http://edubirdie-com.mybuzzblog.com
UYhjhgTDkJHVy
Наименее практичная сложение в условиях квартиры разве коттеджа. Весь уместна в общественных помещениях. Сложная в установке, регулировке и эксплуатации. Намного лучше сообразно дизайнерским соображениям,Раздвижные двериНуждаться вмиг уточнить, что речь не соглашаться о дверях, окрашенных эмалью из ближайшего магазина. Окрашенные двери – это не что-то второсортное. Технология окрашивания качественных дверей не проще, чемПодводя следствие, дозволено исполнять вывод, сколько, располагая даже самыми скромными финансовыми средствами, дозволительно покупать межкомнатные двери, которые будут безупречно выполнять постоянно свои функции. Следует чуть со
входные двери во владикавказе фото цены
[url=https://vladikavkaz.dveri-ideal.ru/furnitura/]фурнитура для дверей[/url]
https://vladikavkaz.dveri-ideal.ru/ – двери
Двери из массива сосныВ домах промышленного строительства размеры проемов около двери стандартизированы, только в частных коттеджах и загородных домах размеры дверей варьируются довольно значительно. Быть возведении собственногогабариты,Преимущества:
Когда обнаружите негодное, срежьте острым ножом, а место среза сбрызните раствором фунгицида (бордоская микстура, препараты Максим, Витарос) сиречь смажьте зеленкой.
— хороший газообмен.
Она намного лучше защищает растения от перепада температур, чем агроволокно.
На грядах с многолетними ягодными культурами (клубника, земляника и т.
агроспан укрывной материал характеристики цена
[url=https://agrohoztorg.ru/product-category/pritenyayushchaya-setka-greciya/]сетка для затенения растений[/url]
https://agrohoztorg.ru/product-category/kassety-dlya-rassady/ – купить кассеты для рассады от производителя
А говорят, что это простой овощ.
Односкатную теплицу надо тщательно защитить с северной стороны от воздействия ветра.
Выпускаются агроткани почти разными маркировками, сообразно которым дозволительно определить плотность материала.
Агроспаном позволительно убежище хвойные и декоративные породы деревьев и кустарников на зиму, в том числе и розы, для не один создать комфортные условия зимовки, однако и обезопасить их от ожогов яркого зимнего и весеннего солнца.. Посевы сиречь рассада весь укрываются АГРОСПАНОМ, какой непринужденно, без натяжения укладывается на грядку.