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
Sexy photo galleries, daily updated collections
http://lexixxx.com/?tyler
king dingo porn drug ecstacy porn tube no subscription gay porn teen japanese free porn movies ebony porn gallerie
Enjoy daily galleries
porn the forn soft porn and computer and foreign porn fanfiction fat porn smother absolutely free download pornhttp://dating.uk.instakink.com/?madalyn
NEED ESSAY WRITING HELP?
Best speech writing sites for mba .
Proceed to Order!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
High crime rate essay
Custom article editor services au
Write me professional descriptive essay on civil war
Best dissertation hypothesis proofreading site for school
Business plan ppt for retail business
Essay of interest
Business plan free templates
critical analysis essay writing site us rvlyu[/url] with my custom critical essay on lincoln nofcg 2021[/url] chapter proofreading websites kwxbe[/url] writers sites uk[/url] 9159b3aEsl blog post writers website for university
Term paper on management information system
Top thesis statement editing site for phd
Custom dissertation abstract ghostwriter website for masters
Persuative essay
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
speech writing sites for mba [/b] pro[/url][url=http://studybay-com.collectblogs.com]studybay[/url]
Affiliate manager resume
letter samples charity kqdjv[/url] philosophique travail technique mprst 2021[/url] technician resume sample ogbcz 2021[/url] speech editing service for phd afhsx[/url] of apa format of reference gzefb[/url]Apa research essay
Essay models tell us about yourself
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
speech writing sites for mba [/b] book reports ideas ipbgn[/url] school scholarship essay sample gcprf[/url] and logic essay pojwt[/url] audit or account mn bfckw[/url] pro[/url]dissertation paper
https://italentos.win/wiki/About_Buy_Essay
http://b3.zcubes.com/v.aspx?mid=6967488
http://wikiartesania.cl/index.php?title=Facts_About_EduBirdie_Revealed
Resume human resources and not jobs apply sample
essay online[/url]Research paper on cultivation theory
Introductions about arizona in world war 2 essay
[url=http://tinkoffcredit.ru]банк тинькофф заполнить заявку[/url]
http://studybay-com.post-blogs.com/16259000/studybay-studybay-com
https://miniurl.cyou/essaytyper916134
How do you write an essay plan
Cheap critical analysis essay ghostwriting services for college
Free resume customer service assistant
http://veteransbattle.us/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=546203&p=1274242#p1274242
http://forum.googleanaliz.com/showthread.php?tid=395850&pid=1083432#pid1083432
https://hungryforhealthyfood.com/lunch-salade-avocado-en-oude-geitenkaas/#comment-223034
Best speech writing sites for mba
second person in academic writing mgypr[/url] player resume vamir[/url] geophy[/url] critical essay writers websites for masters jvwhk[/url] speech writing sites for mba [/b] to write table in html tfotb[/url] for dissertation xbczb[/url] student resume layout oywcy 2021[/url] format resume lfmbi[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
https://flowmeister.nl/2019content/kennis-maken-begint-bij-kennis-delen/?unapproved=17186&moderation-hash=52a22dd557da13ac5573db360d987685#comment-17186
http://forum3.rks.kr.ua/post1469316.html#p1469316
http://forum.googleanaliz.com/showthread.php?tid=395850&pid=1043822#pid1043822
Explanation showing how to write reference letter
speech writing sites for mba [/b] literature review writing service usa dyapg[/url] watt prize essay competition bokxv 2021[/url] droit quand connait loi dissertation – Sample sales resume entry level joiaz 2021[/url] resume samples – Functional resume events ccfbz 2021[/url] topics for green marketing ihtej[/url] management cover letter pesdn[/url]Theatre performance analysis essay
Esl ghostwriters websites ca
Top Ranked Movers and Packers in Dubai, UAE.
Unique Home Movers and Packers in Dubai has been offering a professional, customer-centered, low budget packer mover, shifting, storage services in Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Abu Dhabi, Fujairah, Al Ain and across UAE for over 5+ years. Unlike other moving companies, we offer you the best quality packaging. We do packing for you, perform furniture installation, loading/unloading, commercial removal, provide storage and much more.
https://uniquehomemovers.ae
www.uniquehomemovers.ae
Daily updated super sexy photo galleries
http://tubevillainporn.escudillabonita.lexixxx.com/?tiffany
teen xxx rated porn picture extreme big dick porn vintage porn books for sale girl snowballing guy porn puma porn clips