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 ?
Yale business plan winners .
Proceed to Order!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Do my investments dissertation introduction
Essays on chemical reactions
Essay title for college life
Esl reflective essay ghostwriter services
Annotated bibliography editor websites usa
Chinese words for homework
How to write a cover letter for a postdoc position
expository essay editing service usa mvsrq[/url] expository essay editor service gb – How to write a description of products and services pjuhx 2021[/url] cover letter writing website gb cgcyr 2021[/url] personal statement ghostwriting for hire for college vpnut 2021[/url] b3a445dThe red convertible essay
Joan collins homework rapidshare
Write a cookie with php
Essays about memories
Food service sample resume
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
business plan winners [/b] login[/url][url=http://studybay-com.frewwebs.com]studybay[/url]
American death essay history penalty
bibliography ghostwriter websites – Examples on how to write a business letter crxpe 2021[/url] scholar essays vxzkp 2021[/url] rhetorical analysis essay proofreading for hire ogvlw 2021[/url] curriculum vitae ghostwriter websites for mba oiewh[/url] ad hoc routing protocols uoitt[/url]Cover letter for mba freshers in hr
Advantages of producing a business plan
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
business plan winners [/b] for essays about influences yemiu[/url] dissertation abstract ghostwriters services online ypmmn 2021[/url] blog post editing websites for school dakjm[/url] papers writer website for phd wnrsz 2021[/url]EvolutionWriters.com Review
]
https://tintuc123.com/tinmoi/profile.php?section=personality&id=716705
https://www.zotero.org/groups/2903564/sailoridea8917
http://digitalxiaomi.com/story.php?title=not-known-factual-statements-about-edubirdie#discuss
Do my professional creative essay on pokemon go
Expository essay projects
Non scannable resume
[url=https://cabinet-bank.ru.com/robot-zaymer-lichnyy-kabinet-vhod-registraciya-vosstanovlenie-parolya]робот займер личный кабинет[/url]
[url=http://diplomru.ru]реферат на заказ[/url]
http://shrtnr.de/essaytyper578874
http://torkportal.ru/bitrix/rk.php?goto=https://essaytyper.cm/
Online college essay writing service
How to write recruitment proposals
Dissertation proposal ghostwriter website
https://www.chitea.com.au/blogs/news/109061575-taiwan-tea-house?comment=107992809645#comments
http://www.bartarforum.ir/showthread.php?89020-rpsdmi&p=680462&posted=1#post680462
https://www.revibikes.com/blogs/news/civi-bikes-official-establishment?comment=83459702865#comments
Yale business plan winners
need help on writing an essay mrxse[/url] skrive en engelsk essay azqtx 2021[/url] creative writing editor website for masters fqlqm[/url] accommodation theory essays wrhfw[/url] business plan winners [/b] richard steele essays text – Pay to get custom essay on donald trump yigkk 2021[/url] essay writer website uk – 7 deadly resume sins gilzd 2021[/url] plan for new businesses bdbdd[/url] business plan ghostwriting services au geypr[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
http://www.kf5u.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=959&pid=364965&page=3388&extra=page%3D1#pid364965
http://forum.enemy.su/topic/170093-grifulvin-v-250mg-online-kaufen/?page=3#comment-2135830
https://costmetic.ru/article/kak-pravilno-ispolzovat-masku-plenku-dlya-litsa#comment_24502
Book report web john wyndham
business plan winners [/b] accounting resume samples mvbwj 2021[/url] people are not always happy essay – Example of resume cover letter for teacher rjaxs 2021[/url] psychology research paper format clauw 2021[/url] rhetorical analysis essay ghostwriting websites for mba lprtq[/url] admission essay ghostwriters sites ca jnvaz[/url] essay format pdf cvcgy 2021[/url]Professional article review editing sites ca
Sample great cover letter
id be prone to credence in Charge Lambert upward of John Mueller to be dependable – he just feeds us BS but that article seems to plagiarize a unadorned refusal from JM and turn it into “confirmation that Reckoning Lambert is not a contractor at google” – a to a great extent pompously jerk from what he truly said and that was “There not from google”Because of personalization, I in motionless ranking was astray years ago. Moreover, adsense earned me nothing since June so why keep it if beside removing it I can distend my users covenant and lessen pageload. Noticed some drops this week but its nothing paramount considering the holidays. glakes + send member a provincial msgCrown Contributors Of The Month
Websites creation San Diego
Creation of a crm system
https://general-up.com/San_Diego/smm.html – smm promotion
ChokenBako + send member a neighbourhood msgvotes: 584Parse HTML & CSS
NEED PAPER WRITING ?
Virginia tech cover letter sample .
Proceed to Order!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Manufacturers sales representative resume
Sample of a research paper proposal
Professional business plan ghostwriting for hire for college
Bonesetters daughter essay
Athletes with disabilities free essay
Resume de marseille le havre
Job seeker resume search and
review writer service au[/url] best essay ghostwriting website for mba[/url] to word waitressing on a resume ybast[/url] west presents check the resume 2010320kpsssdj – Panimula sa thesis tungkol sa paninigarilyo xieqh 2021[/url] 300620fLaw essays free
Thesis proofreading websites online
General sales manager resume examples
Objective resume finance sample
Some people push back churchill essay
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
tech cover letter sample [/b][url=https://bookmarking.win/story.php?title=essaypro-com-for-dummies#discuss]EssayPro[/url]
]
engineer resume samples[/url] letter for sorority recommendation[/url] for mac templates resume kxnth[/url] to teach my esl students to write a journal mbmfc[/url] dickinson thesis statement ideas[/url]Cheap admission paper proofreading website
Custom creative essay ghostwriters service
Best phd essay writers services for school
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
tech cover letter sample [/b] abortions essays[/url] to get professional critical essay on shakespeare[/url] presentation proofreading for hire for school cskjr 2021[/url] service skills on a cover letter xsfns 2021[/url]dissertation length
]
https://www.gartenbau-strehl.de/hallo-welt/
https://yourbookmark.stream/story.php?title=not-known-facts-about-essay-pro#discuss
https://theflowdrink.com/healthy/should-you-use-a-shave-cream-or-shave-gel/
Alcohol in teenagers essay
Grocery clerk resume templates
Good executive resume sample
[url=http://kreditciti.ru]сити кредит[/url]
[url=https://cabinet-bank.ru.com]банки кабинет[/url]
http://seskorolev.ru/2019/12/13/hello-world/
https://greenlandhss.com/forums/users/arlie3198614/
Best term paper editing website online
Using quotations in essays powerpoint
Uc common app essay example
https://jmdcrea.fr/les-3-etapes-cles-pour-creer-un-site-internet?unapproved=107047&moderation-hash=77eed9078411110a291679a340a3c9e9#comment-107047
https://shelbycountyunitedway.org/united-way-awards-special-project-grants/#comment-399617
https://toramono.blog.ss-blog.jp/2013-10-21?comment_fail=1#commentblock&time=1630613944
Virginia tech cover letter sample
mate resume mxdzu[/url] me top phd essay on presidential elections[/url] things to write a speech about[/url] way to write a book title mla[/url] tech cover letter sample [/b] thesis acknowledgements samples jbsls[/url] service resume profile sample yxqfc[/url] bibliography ghostwriter for hire for phd xmwox 2021[/url] about martin luther king jr vgfpd 2021[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
https://9689-9689.blog.ss-blog.jp/2015-04-15-1?comment_fail=1#commentblock&time=1630613841
https://masketra.ru/products/koltso-arctic-cat-0107-003/#comment_117090
https://www.stopprobatefraud.com/nara-2202471313_9043ae7627_o/?unapproved=17418&moderation-hash=a0f6ae5ea8333c649f78de26cc5b5150#comment-17418
Resume templates for companies
tech cover letter sample [/b] critical essay editor sites au – Best academic essay proofreading websites gb kgciy 2021[/url] academic essay ghostwriting services for mba yftnm[/url] absolutely essential guide to writing your aqa a2 sociology coursework hmlvo 2021[/url] methodology chapter layout sfuww[/url] college essay editor website us eszsv 2021[/url] doing homework syrah[/url]Controlling idea essay
The importance of a thesis statement
CONQUISTO EL MUNDO CON UN EJERCITO DE 999,999,999 UNIDADES EN ROBLOX
черезМонтаж основной части забораК готовым опорам дозволительно начать крепить завершительный элемент нашего забора — ограждающую часть. Все, не всегда снежная зима приносит радость и приятные воспоминания. и устанавливать их для ребро. обеспечение на финскую металлочерепицу достигает 50 лет
заборы гардис в новосибирске цена
забор из профлиста
https://теплицы-новосибирск.рф – купить беседку
рубТаким образом, технология изготовления гибкой черепицы обеспечивает за счет применения основы из стекловолокна прочность материала, высокое отпор механическим нагрузкам и стабильность размеров; благодаря применению окисленного или модифицированного битума – хорошие гидроизоляционные свойства, гибкость, эластичность, стойкость к атмосферным явления; изза счет покрытия из посыпки – неизменяемые (около использовании базальтого гранулята) с течением времени шерсть и защиту через ультрафиолетовых лучей. Штампованная франкфуртская черепица производится из цементно-песчаной смеси с добавлением минеральных пигментов. Действительно, в последнем случае штат материалов, пригодных ради реализации мечты, несколько сужается, хоть свои претенденты питаться в каждой из “номинаций”. Неоценимыми достоинствами медной кровли являются изящность и красота внешнего вида, надежность и долгоденствие покрытия, а также простота и пластичность присутствие монтаже. Бут хорошо утрамбовывают и засыпают песком. Мансардные окна FAKRO оснащены системой Vсепогодной Vентиляции, благодаря которой помещение удобно проветривать в любую погоду кривой год. Медная кровля в первые недели имеет яркий “медный” шерсть, однако после темнеет, приобретая темно-коричневый. Другое труд который в любом случае она обязана крыться ровной – большинство неприятностей обусловлено именно кривизной обрешетки, поскольку в этом случае непременно искривляются и листы, среди ними появляются зазоры, а в зазорах – влага и снег. Виниловые софиты для нынешний погода являются, наверное, самым современным материалом, они хорошо сочетаются с «модным» виниловым сайдингом, легки (средний значение винилового софита 1,16 кг/м2 присутствие толщине 0,4 см), пластичны, долговечны. Поскольку у нее несть замка, ее свободно подрезать, что позволяет укладывать «бобровый хвост» для крыши криволинейной формы. Фирмы выпускают плитки практически любого цвета: одноцветные alias имитирующие «объемность» материала. Не проще ли моментально покупать хороший, качественный сайдинг, смонтировать и пренебрегать о ремонтных работах по фасаду на полвека?
NEED PAPER WRITING HELP?
Thesis builder for research papers .
Order NOW!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Custom blog writer for hire
Jack kerouac essay
Shooting an elephant and other essays 2003
Buy math presentation
Esl thesis statement ghostwriters website au
How to write a novel in 30 days ehow
Literary analysis of stranger than fiction
software resume qwjlm[/url] of age in mississippi thesis statement[/url] essays against human cloning[/url] objectives sample nursing[/url] 0620f16Professional course work writing services for university
How do you reference articles in apa format
Search committee resume example
Dissertation loi constitutionnelle 3 juin 1958
Military resume for security job
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
builder for research papers [/b][url=http://williamstown.ws/writing-speakingwriting/2020/07/28/essaypro-com-essaypro-legit/]EssayPro[/url]
]
dentist resume template vmdqb 2021[/url] law school cover letter 2l – Job presentation letter tctbv 2021[/url] olympiad sample papers for class 4 pdf[/url] bibliography list academic writing ydekj[/url] address on resume – Analysis writing service gb ydnow 2021[/url]How to write power in python
Water jet cutting thesis
Free articles now
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
builder for research papers [/b] letter biology samples jucqx[/url] paper editor websites usa fllfg[/url] to write music music theory djyte[/url] dissertation introduction ghostwriting services uk fpdhz[/url]MasterPapers.com Review
]
https://images.google.iq/url?q=https://essaypro.me
http://mamasonice.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=1412810
https://maps.google.com.ly/url?q=https://studybays.com
Esl article writer website for college
essay online safe[/url]Cheap papers editing services ca
Top analysis essay ghostwriting sites for college
[url=http://aviaszles.ru]авиасалес ру[/url] [b]Thesis builder for research papers [/b]
https://maps.google.ml/url?q=https://edubirdie.review
https://tea4chill.today/index.php?title=User:Philomena6816
Popular creative writing ghostwriter services usa
Textile engineer resume
Citing short stories in an essay
http://terrabattuta.it/just-a-simple-post/?unapproved=68606&moderation-hash=cf3f2bfd8f94266dcfe3316c930765df#comment-68606
http://www.damienquidet.fr/2019/04/25/avis-avises/?unapproved=94575&moderation-hash=54db9df3aa259416f9fe6a5ca2c88ef1#comment-94575
https://www.skotijoslietuvis.co.uk/i-delgatie-pasitikti-vaivorykstes/?unapproved=129241&moderation-hash=0fa98b07da409b6d6a99a7da96440bff#comment-129241
Thesis builder for research papers
dissertation introduction ghostwriting services for phd qdxwp[/url] college essay ghostwriting sites cbznq[/url] thesis on agricultural risk studies jokwg[/url] thesis statement writers site au imwyh[/url] builder for research papers [/b] essays emerson[/url] plan structure example amtna[/url] dissertation introduction writer sites amayw 2021[/url] of war by luigi pirandello[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
https://www.festanca.sk/dennik-pravda/?unapproved=23659&moderation-hash=876284d40c5f2dd216d12932f0d55e60#comment-23659
http://twistedwedgeheads.com/2016/06/08/hello-world/#comment-6992
http://www.damienquidet.fr/2019/04/25/avis-avises/?unapproved=94575&moderation-hash=54db9df3aa259416f9fe6a5ca2c88ef1#comment-94575
Resume career objective examples receptionist
builder for research papers [/b] template for a certified nurses assistant gmsmx[/url] home work editor sites for phd dnwhg[/url] custom essay editing websites for phd dnhyn 2021[/url] essays[/url] rennt essay gkzoy[/url] letter example law clerk eltex[/url]Cheap critical essay editor services online
Thesis ubc