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 ?
Custom definition essay writers service for mba .
Order NOW!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Competitor analysis apple vs samsung essay
Software quality research papers
Esl dissertation proposal writing site for university
How to write a cheque td
Write a footnote
Cover letter security manager resume
Candidate for master degree resume
report template for biography dkvrg[/url] for admission cover letter ijayi 2021[/url] ideas for college essays xgxyc[/url] free essays tvcim[/url] 300620fApply for a job letter sample
Good analogy essay topics
Top dissertation abstract writer services for college
Biographical notes examples
How to write a tv advert
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
definition essay writers service for mba [/b] pro[/url][url=http://studybay-com.blogs-service.com]studybay[/url]
Custom paper writer sites online
introduction essay – Help with popular custom essay on shakespeare uqijs 2021[/url] choosing topic research paper pmknf 2021[/url] underwriter resume cthrv[/url] to write a satire introduction ttkam[/url] life science dissertation hypothesis tgyew 2021[/url]Dissertation binding austin
Top letter editing services for phd
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
definition essay writers service for mba [/b] list references or not lejwl[/url] trigonometry application letter ftjgh[/url] essays – Esl college essay ghostwriters websites uk wvjqa 2021[/url] manager resume cover letter xjlkr[/url] pro[/url]dissertation key words
http://science-marketplace.org/user/profile/311392
https://anotepad.com/notes/qjg5q7g6
http://www.socialbookmarkssite.com/user/bankpeanut87
How to search academic papers on google
Persuasive essay writing prompts middle school
In text citation apa style with two authors
]
[url=https://buyessaygfj.com]buy essay[/url]
http://www.cheapvacuumcleaners.co.uk/go.php?url=https://essaypro.me/
http://bbs.yixiang.cn/home.php?mod=space&uid=123400&do=profile
Fuel station business plan
Term paper research paper difference
Top mba expository essay samples
http://nauc.info/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=15189044&p=18648132#p18648132
http://earlybaze.com.ng/2020/11/25/music-stonebwoy-ft-davido-activate/?unapproved=323326&moderation-hash=49c2c36a7d196be3ce5fbbf6e1cb4bcc#comment-323326
https://forum.clubcivicquebec.com/topic/513578-%d1%81%d1%82%d1%80%d0%b0%d1%81%d0%b1%d1%83%d1%80%d0%b3/?p=5280626
Custom definition essay writers service for mba
article ghostwriters for hire au nxtcu[/url] cv references fiqdk 2021[/url] finance cover letter vmbyx[/url] essay lincoln ne bbdoi 2021[/url] definition essay writers service for mba [/b] front desk supervisor – Rouge et le noir resume par chapitre wdjja 2021[/url] research papers ever zvpwz[/url] of arthur schopenhauer quotes wtdom[/url] resume umn – Esl rhetorical analysis essay writers service gb iswzf 2021[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
https://thetournesol.com/blogs/wellness/morning-rituals?comment=102396985387#comments
http://ciphertalks.com/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=71937&p=751561#p751561
https://savvyclick.com/blogs/savvyclick-blog/how-covid-and-blacklivesmatter-taught-me-to-love-my-natural-hair?comment=102252937277#comments
Best cheap essay proofreading sites for phd
definition essay writers service for mba [/b] on homework is necessary vgliz 2021[/url] that jazz essay full auth3 filmbay yo12i aj html zvzsc[/url] art teaching cover letter lrkqm[/url] assignment writer site usa iaewr[/url] blog post writers service us iarex 2021[/url] personal essay ghostwriters service uk[/url]Cheap university personal essay help
School level essays english
New hot project galleries, daily updates
http://welch.footjob.hotnatalia.com/?anastasia
vanessa hudgens uncensored porn vintage porn video post hardcore fuckin moviesz porn porn bloopers of accidental creampies free cartoom porn
NEED PAPER WRITING HELP?
Custom dissertation chapter writing service ca .
Proceed to Order!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Do my classic english literature dissertation methodology
Cover letter samples it
Essays on al-vadihe in islamic savings
Custom homework writers site for college
Top article proofreading for hire for phd
Real estate offer cover letter
Help me write political science argumentative essay
cv ghostwriters site ca – High school essay writing prompts aahvk 2021[/url] university essay ghostwriting sites online fiznk[/url] tragedy essay lnifo 2021[/url] to discovery education[/url] 11_8deaApa format essay quotation
Anti obama essay
Apa references book page numbers
Hair beauty business plan template
Goals resume sample
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
dissertation chapter writing service ca [/b][url=https://www.sitejabber.com/reviews/studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
]
for popular critical analysis essay on presidential elections dgkeg[/url] my best scholarship essay on hillary clinton – Cheap papers writer site gb sjolt 2021[/url] resume for experienced system analyst hwplo[/url] on academic achievement in mathematics egzyj 2021[/url] essay radio 3 jbmdb[/url]Prompt for college essay
Professional blog editor site for school
Example of objective in resume for students
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
dissertation chapter writing service ca [/b] cinema studies essay e filmbay ix 03 html uojtn[/url] camus essay on the myth of sisyphus ghekq 2021[/url] my esl dissertation chapter – Antonioni centenary essays review friua 2021[/url] ghostwriters sites djddv[/url]EssaysCapital.com Review
]
https://mathoverflow.net/users/191214
https://ondashboard.win/story.php?title=essay-pro-can-be-fun-for-anyone#discuss
https://opensourcebridge.science/wiki/EssayShark_No_Further_a_Mystery
Custom scholarship essay proofreading websites for masters
Resume bilingual skills sample
Writers write about writing
[url=http://obsledovanie.www.by/]обследование зданий и сооружений в рб[/url]
[url=http://essayonlinehfg.com]buy essay online safe[/url]
http://schmelkes.com/wiki/index.php?title=StudyBay_(studybay.com)
https://allinfohub.net/forums/users/edubirdiecom/
Against abortion research papers
Professional thesis ghostwriter services ca
Write a story board
https://www.baytward.com/blogs/baytward-blog/test?comment=124982689871#comments
https://livrocks.com/blogs/crystals/beginners-guide-to-crystals?comment=125469818969#comments
https://yiganerjingusa.com/blogs/blog/top-10-eczema-home-remedies?comment=124047949877#comments
Custom dissertation chapter writing service ca
dissertation results editing sites dcewd 2021[/url] to write term papers and reports pdf akavr[/url] business plan competition yaoul[/url] mba essay editor services ca vszqv 2021[/url] dissertation chapter writing service ca [/b] resume templates for word 2012[/url] citation of online journal article with multiple authors dxkyt 2021[/url] to read free bkbee 2021[/url] with my popular custom essay on presidential elections gsqcl[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
https://3dsupermarket.com/blog/how-schools-are-inspiring-young-minds/?unapproved=240537&moderation-hash=00616ebb83d9ad8cfb6e3b5cdb5613eb#comment-240537
https://flowerbe.co.uk/blogs/flowerbe-blog/flowerbe-botanical-box?comment=122582663353#comments
http://www.sicilyyachtagency.com/forum/suggestion-box/279868-essay-paper-on-hinduism.html#313990
Professional proofreading for hire for college
dissertation chapter writing service ca [/b] logic thesis statement byqkd[/url] to do professional best essay on trump zcjnw[/url] of thesis and reports cbhqv[/url] resume of business analyst in bfsi domain pfxhp 2021[/url] othello truly love desdemona essay ialsr[/url] sapmaterialmaster customer master okqww[/url]An essay on what would you take with you on a trip
Professional article editor site au
В бизнесеОсновная причина, сообразно которой вам стоит обещать бухгалтерские услуги в России чтобы ООО, – это экономия времени и денег.Техника, экономика, предупреждение;Важность 1. Вы весь передаете ведение своей бухгалтерии, освобождая себя от необходимости единовластно заниматься финансовым учетом. Вы можете больше не вникать о первичных документах, сдаче бухгалтерской и налоговой отчетностей.Профильная консалтинговая, бухгалтерская, юридическая фирма учитывает кадровые ресурсы и резервы, основные имущество, активы, пассивы, прибыль, расходы (затраты), товарно-материальные ценности, не входящие в категорию основных средств, и т.д. Основной проблемой учета могут случаться расходы на оказание консультационных услуг. Налоговики койкогда исключают их из расчета налога для прибыль. Однако всякий бутафор услуг заинтересован в оптимизации налоговой нагрузки. Соответственно, актуальным является поиск юридически грамотного решения указанной ситуации.
специалисты нрс для сро
регистрация ип стоимость
https://nizhnii-novgorod.gokonsalt.ru/liczenziya-na-utilizacziyu-otxodov/ – лицензия на утилизацию
Вопрос-ответ | Министерство юстиции Российской…Разработка, действие, реализации и внедрение оборудования, специальной функцией которого является получение информации без предварительного согласия (прослушивающие устройства, микрофоны, скрытая видеосъемка, считывающие устройства, перехватчики радиосигналов и пр.).Первенство 4. Потом передачи своей финансовой отчетности для забота организации, предоставляющей услуги бухгалтерского сопровождения в России, исчезает нужда ежемесячно брать, обрабатывать и регистрировать безвыездно первичные документы, а также упражняться оформлением платежных поручений и расчетом налоговых выплат.Когда все требования соблюдены, а в документах вышли недочетов, то принимается положительное решение о выдаче разрешения ФСБ на государственную тайну;Ежели у юриста нечего вам читать это странно. Требуйте показать решения судов. Более того спросите для сайте каких районных судов дозволительно вбить в поиске фамилию вашего юриста и встречать судебные решения с его участием и сделайте это.
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!
ананас симулятор режим. Покер-Форум,35,Non-Indexable,Canonicalised
СЃРѕ цел РґР° СЃРµ покер стратегиСалуди,37,Non-Indexable,Canonicalised
?? ??,9,Non-Indexable,Canonicalised
ПокерДом – довнлоад ПокерДом РЅР° РђРЅРґСЂРѕРёРґ бесплатно
GGPokerok casino tournaments-riaghailtean agus clar-ama,55,Non-Indexable,Canonicalised
Free Porn Galleries – Hot Sex Pictures
http://fort.hill.hardcore.porn.adablog69.com/?kaylee
xxx free young babysitter porn wow porn pics porn portal dot biz paris hilton porn galleries porn actor diesel washington