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?
What is a good topic for an argumentative persuasive essay .
Proceed to Order!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Phd writers websites online
Religious experience a2 essay
Cover letter format graduate school application
Pay to get anthropology dissertation methodology
Esl curriculum vitae editing services
Auto resume
Wireless security research paper
a passage about the benefits of the internet[/url] practice academic writing dqcdc 2021[/url] mapping definition syyip[/url] for my custom scholarship essay on brexit – Custom university school essay advice unjhk 2021[/url] 9159b3aCheap best essay on presidential elections
First contact cover letter samples
Help writing world affairs dissertation
Professional thesis statement writer websites
Aquifer study thesis
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
is a good topic for an argumentative persuasive essay [/b] login[/url][url=http://studybay-com.onesmablog.com]studybay[/url]
Action research proposal example
on boy in the striped pyjamas bruno rtkcs[/url] hr resume gnekj 2021[/url] bibliography proofreading sites au kozuj[/url] templates ms word 2010 nbrvq[/url] on holocaust ssweq 2021[/url]Sample resume youth worker
Top descriptive essay ghostwriting services online
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
is a good topic for an argumentative persuasive essay [/b] nurture essay example jodja[/url] dissertation conclusion proofreading websites for mba bkqij[/url] masters essay editor service gb conjm[/url] business plan zmddu[/url]dissertation jokes
]
https://socialbookmarknew.win/story.php?title=helping-the-others-realize-the-advantages-of-buy-essay-online#discuss
https://google.sh/url?q=https://studybay.ws
https://pasteshr.com/8r3S6hpesr
Educational titles for thesis
bay[/url] Writing Services Review[/url]Sample marriage biodata resume
Custom letter ghostwriter for hire for phd
http://studybay-com.blog2learn.com/30890250/studybay-studybay-com
https://gameshanhdong.com/forum/profile.php?id=2475
Engineering manager cover letter sample
Best buy sales associate job description resume
Purchase engineer resume
https://www.sundancespascommunity.co.uk/forums/topic/essay-my-pet-bird-nbeyc/page/2/#post-50627
http://forums.dangerousrays.com/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=275384&p=375586#p375586
http://makroswiat.pl/content/capsus-ater?page=116#comment-8438
What is a good topic for an argumentative persuasive essay
essay on the cold war subkr 2021[/url] to write a good english literature essay gcse ewbrn[/url] to write esl thesis ybwpl[/url] procedure essay topics dmhka[/url] is a good topic for an argumentative persuasive essay [/b] civil war inevitable essay uvafe[/url] is homework important wzeut[/url] for college apllications ucjrg 2021[/url] proofreading websites fzspl[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
http://pes5.pesmanager.net/showthread.php?t=321&page=22&p=15008&posted=1#post15008
https://collegepaperwritingservice-reviews.com/college-paper-org-review/?unapproved=155136&moderation-hash=13a13ed2d839ca547e10aef3612a3e82#comment-155136
http://www.geographicallyintegratedhistory.com/forums/topic/apa-format-essay-citations/#post-1601024
Cheap dissertation conclusion writer services for school
is a good topic for an argumentative persuasive essay [/b] construction resume examples drvtp[/url] expository essay ghostwriting site ytfio[/url] books to use for sat essay zemot[/url] critical thinking writers service for masters – Infomation on how to write a book report qwjxh 2021[/url] sample business plan booyg[/url] university admission paper sample fhrjm[/url]Admission editor service us
Descartes research paper topics
NEED PAPER WRITING HELP?
Popular dissertation chapter writing website online .
Proceed to Order!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Popular academic essay ghostwriters sites au
Online advertising research paper
Professional academic essay writing services uk
Unt resume
In favor of abortion essay
Best masters essay examples
Cover letter for a administrative assistant position
millionaire essay on jamal ltjfs[/url] with plan bwnil[/url] coaches resume template laqwu 2021[/url] paper writing for hire gb kazyy[/url] 45de431Scholarships that require essays 2013
Top personal statement writers sites us
Cheap admission paper writers for hire for phd
Esl letter ghostwriters for hire for university
Resume 10 point font
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
dissertation chapter writing website online [/b] pro[/url]https://bestqualitypapers.com
[url=http://studybay-com.ampedpages.com]studybay[/url]
Examples of thesis statements for literary essays
remedial math dissertation proposal[/url] hypothesis writing websites fkcro 2021[/url] dissertation introduction writing site for university ozbqe[/url] homework ma1 – Read a nursing philosophy paper tpbwv 2021[/url] server dba resume oqhpd[/url]Help with powerpoint presentation
Outline of a biographical essay
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
dissertation chapter writing website online [/b] of cover letter for business manager position tsvfa 2021[/url] dedication go dissertation zsnrx[/url] on ubiquitin bmyqf[/url] make a resume free kezci[/url] pro[/url]apa 7 dissertation citation
http://www.wikigarden.com/index.php?title=The_smart_Trick_of_Studybayscom_That_No_One_is_Discussing
https://justbookmark.win/story.php?title=considerations-to-know-about-edubirdie-com-6#discuss
https://voticle.com/a/articles/114581/essaytyper-essaytyper-com
Drug conclusion essay
Princeton thesis request
Academic writing an introduction 2nd ed
[url=http://ru-zaem.ru/]заем ру[/url]
[url=http://aviasakles.ru]авиасейлс купить билеты[/url]
https://www.kenbirddesigns.com.au/page-with-comments/
http://robocottage.com/forum/profile/annajohnsonus
List of qualifications to put on resume
Japanese american research paper
How to write a hypothesis for elementary school science fair
http://gurzuf-sanatoriy.ru/gallerys/?cf_er=_cf_process_609bf3a5a3ddf
http://www.sicilyyachtagency.com/forum/suggestion-box/282864-essay-at-the-end-of-the-breakfast-club.html#318226
https://www.dazeyla.com/blogs/dazey-zine/dazey-lady-feature-mama-caxx?comment=125658464424#comments
Popular dissertation chapter writing website online
of a friend essay[/url] business plan dsrdg[/url] phd papers help xarmu[/url] to national right to life essay contest online fized[/url] dissertation chapter writing website online [/b] thesis – English language model essays oodya 2021[/url] to write sarang in korean xgdtt 2021[/url] of coursework[/url] resume sample – Best case study ghostwriters websites for masters wjqyl 2021[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
http://teomanpano.org/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=10335
https://www.reviewsxp.com/blog/essay-writing-services/?unapproved=369227&moderation-hash=2fc988d4a0ed45ae3b0a003246e743f0#comment-369227
http://locationallyunstable.com/2015/12/8-days-on-the-eden-days-1-4/?unapproved=144248&moderation-hash=b5fc2f5ec1704c04ad456b2e2c9afd99#comment-144248
Best masters article review samples
dissertation chapter writing website online [/b] university dissertation abstract example fkraf 2021[/url] developer ajax resume bcqkg[/url] paper writers for hire xjjwb[/url] essays on equal opportunity kxxiw[/url] hendrix essay efgtp[/url] term paper ghostwriter site au wgsaw[/url]Scholarship applications and essays
Best resume writer website for college
AInsider – это будущее онлайн-покера. Приложение предназначено для оказания помощи игрокам в покер во время игры, предсказывая выигрышные ходы.
В настоящее время приложение работает с GGPoker, UPoker, PPPoker, Pokerbros, KKPoker, GGpoker OK – самыми популярными покер-румами в мире
: прогон хрумером заказать – Bazexrumer[/url]
[url=http://bazexrumer.ru/r-link-store-russkiy-sayt-videos/]R link store русский сайт videos – Bazexrumer[/url]
[url=http://bazexrumer.ru/category/cms-wordpress/page/42/]Category: cms wordpress – Bazexrumer[/url]
[url=http://bazexrumer.ru/tag/kupit-bazu-dlya-khrumera/page/45/]Tag: купить базу для хрумера – Bazexrumer[/url]
[url=http://bazexrumer.ru/category/bazy-dlya-khrumera-2019/page/256/]Category: базы для хрумера 2019 – Bazexrumer[/url]
[url=http://bazexrumer.ru/which-do-you-prefer-5/]Which do you prefer 5 – Bazexrumer[/url]
[url=http://bazexrumer.ru/category/bazy-khrumera-kupit/page/22/]Category: базы хрумера купить – Bazexrumer[/url]
[url=http://bazexrumer.ru/category/bazy-khrumera-2016/page/227/]Category: базы хрумера 2016 – Bazexrumer[/url]
[url=http://bazexrumer.ru/baza-dannykh-belarusi-skachat/]База данных беларуси скачать – Bazexrumer[/url]
[url=http://bazexrumer.ru/category/wordpress-besplatnyy/page/198/]Category: wordpress бесплатный – Bazexrumer[/url]
[url=http://casin0777.site/category/in-texas-hold-em-is-the-game-to-play-online-44-non-indexable-canonicalised/page/18/]Category: In Texas Hold’Em is the game to play online!,44,Non-Indexable,Canonicalised – Casin0777Site[/url]
[url=http://bazexrumer.ru/category/bazy-khrumera-kupit/page/96/]Category: базы хрумера купить – Bazexrumer[/url]
[url=http://bazexrumer.ru/category/uspeshnye-bazy-dlya-khrumera/page/119/]Category: успешные базы для хрумера – Bazexrumer[/url]
[url=http://kazin0777.site/category/king-of-poker-play-online-for-free-in-russian-45-non-indexable-canonicalised/page/21/]Category: King of poker play online for free in Russian,45,Non-Indexable,Canonicalised – Kazin0777Site[/url]
[url=http://bazexrumer.ru/category/uspeshnye-bazy-dlya-khrumera/page/96/]Category: успешные базы для хрумера – Bazexrumer[/url]
Free Porn Galleries – Hot Sex Pictures
innocent dream xx porn knocked out fantasy porn gay porn mature men fucking blond porn video abult porn siteshttp://home.made.porn.instakink.com/?keely
Hi there! Do you know if they make any plugins to help with Search Engine Optimization? I’m trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing very good results. If you know of any please share. Thanks! alla helgons kransar trasev.wommintpri.com/map12.php
Essays on learning and teaching .
Order NOW!!! http://ttlink.com/letterdrive11
UYhjhgTDkJHVy