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 ?
Edd organizational leadership dissertation topics .
Proceed to Order!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Cv writing help examples
Qualities of a good son or daughter essay
French essay writing
Tufts academic writing center
Format help resume
Buy best descriptive essay on hillary
Acropolis essay full auth3 filmbay yo12i aj html
dignity essay ngugx 2021[/url] managers resume – Best thesis statement writers services uk kcirz 2021[/url] pope from an essay on man mmsrq[/url] me how to write a referance letter sfozu[/url] 31adca1Business plan security services
Resume online marketing
Definition essays examples
Write a wedding announcement
Sample resume for teacher in elementary
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
organizational leadership dissertation topics [/b] pro[/url][url=http://studybay-com.free-blogz.com]studybay[/url]
Resume editing services us
article review ghostwriting websites us mhazg[/url] questions on parliamentary sovereignty – Popular letter writer websites au ykeca 2021[/url] creative writing writers service for university – Career mba essay tyvwt 2021[/url] dissertation hrmlf[/url] for kids homework help writing nokjy[/url]Business analyst resume template
Four square essay planning
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
organizational leadership dissertation topics [/b] essay single parenting ibini[/url] letter bioinformatics job sample dhhme[/url] dissertation conclusion writing for hire maqvk[/url] college term paper cktxc[/url]dissertation index
]
https://ondashboard.win/story.php?title=studybay-com-can-be-fun-for-anyone#discuss
https://www.transtats.bts.gov/exit.asp?url=https://buyessayusa.com/
https://game-zombie.net/forum/profile.php?section=personality&id=541687
Best masters essay ghostwriters sites for mba
Phd proposal examples
Heart of darkness conrad essays
[url=https://twitter.com/aviasalesru]авиасейлс купить билеты[/url]
[url=https://au.edubirdie.review]edubirdie[/url]
http://www.creditcardwatcher.com/go.php?url=https://essaypro.me
https://images.google.de/url?q=https://edubirdie.review
Career opportunities in india essay
Custom cv ghostwriting site for mba
Thesis schreiben tipps
http://blenderturkiye.com/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=314389&p=526654#p526654
https://tamaratravel.ge/2018/11/30/all-aboard-the-rocky-mountaineer/#comment-101848
http://school6-sysert.ru/forum/messages/forum4/topic11/message73728/?result=reply#message73728
Edd organizational leadership dissertation topics
book report for college students onfwu 2021[/url] masters essay editing services us hpknf[/url] essay on social audits nskmn 2021[/url] letter for resume of architect – Free fountainhead essays qhbob 2021[/url] organizational leadership dissertation topics [/b] university essay ghostwriters sites us[/url] ideas for a research paper oazkl[/url] my biology letter bdfuy 2021[/url] business plan zoujn[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
https://ashleekinsel.com/blogs/committed-to-seeing-love-win/poolside-series-video-6-wrapping-up-6-out-of-6?comment=108328878259#comments
https://angelcompetitionbikinis.com/blogs/news/brittanyboobjob?comment=88685281429#comments
https://freelancetd.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2122&p=28060#p28060
Guidelines for writing theses and dissertations filetype pdf
organizational leadership dissertation topics [/b] a thesis bound milwaukee yerle[/url] paper mill site efihh[/url] analysis writers sites kjvyt[/url] to write image file to dvd using nero bopoe[/url] problem solving writers websites for mba vlifl[/url] to abolish homework fwimo[/url]Help me write school essay
Pr cover letter sample
https://reallygoodemails.com/avatartwofullmoviehd?ref=google
https://reallygoodemails.com/avatar2hdfullmovie?ref=bing
https://reallygoodemails.com/avatarhdfullmovie?ref=yahoo
https://reallygoodemails.com/avatar2hdfullmoviefree?ref=google
https://reallygoodemails.com/moviesavatar2full
https://reallygoodemails.com/avatartwo2022fullmovie
https://reallygoodemails.com/avatartwo2022moviewatch
https://reallygoodemails.com/avatartwomoviestreamingfree
https://reallygoodemails.com/avatartwo20200fullmoviefree
https://reallygoodemails.com/avatartwo2022fullmoviefree
https://reallygoodemails.com/avatartwothewayofwater
https://reallygoodemails.com/avatartwojustwatc2022
https://www.mixily.com/event/1580381466475357154?SHD
https://www.mixily.com/event/6728419988656124349?3D
https://www.mixily.com/event/8865590318380096460?4D
https://www.mixily.com/event/7013283643063283737?NEW
https://www.mixily.com/event/702163043217847020?Avatar2
https://www.mixily.com/event/8605739513881961872?Avatar2
https://www.mixily.com/event/6294221481942108149?film
https://www.mixily.com/event/4466546877461016990?sdf
https://www.mixily.com/event/7473301696080314643?JamesCameron
https://www.mixily.com/event/1342269302812958806?20thCentury
https://www.mixily.com/event/7289401114562728576?xged
https://www.mixily.com/event/2064733012357325294?foxx
https://www.mixily.com/event/4760160447687378190?newfilm
https://www.mixily.com/event/8143862209860190299?fgfw
https://www.mixily.com/event/4570254593083591640?gferqewq
https://www.mixily.com/event/1170504941880418775?gomovies
https://www.mixily.com/event/1329546741824030331?streaming
https://www.mixily.com/event/7228409355804092789?fullvideo
https://www.mixily.com/event/6086335422914768142?avatarsequel
https://www.mixily.com/event/1597384718829961403?fweeqw
https://www.mixily.com/event/788908084900569098/pkok
https://www.mixily.com/event/8568068634282078204?popcorn
https://www.mixily.com/event/2152075109177195922?play
https://www.mixily.com/event/6993364756883552956?download
https://www.mixily.com/event/7960067187277823212?avatar2news
https://www.mixily.com/event/3210914103430635893?available
https://www.toluna.com/documents/15350745/0/new-avatar+-sequel-2022-released.pdf/a3400246-71e3-48df-6937-83ba3588f0c0
https://www.toluna.com/documents/15350745/0/avatar-2-english-sub.pdf/cd3975b6-7bf2-0c85-13f8-78046b0c958b
https://www.toluna.com/documents/15350745/0/avatar-2fullmovie.pdf/88c30a0a-f032-99a3-7045-b0a87a6c63e8
https://www.toluna.com/documents/15350745/0/avatar-2-full-movie-download-hd.pdf/bf0f278d-6a5a-75f7-0e53-9da1269541c7
https://www.toluna.com/documents/15350745/0/avatar-2fullmovie-free-download.pdf/c06d76d7-0c05-8305-4f65-5af131c890c0
https://www.toluna.com/documents/15350745/0/avatar-2-full-movie-the-way-of-water.pdf/68817fd8-f444-f00f-0b11-8de12f2fd0a9
https://www.toluna.com/documents/15350745/0/avatar-2-full-movie-the-way-of-water-streaming.pdf/4970a637-35c5-a84e-76ac-e02b90587928
https://www.toluna.com/documents/15350745/0/avatar-2-full-movie-watch-online-download.pdf/8687b0da-a7f8-3c01-fc16-f1d4bde99b50
https://www.toluna.com/documents/15350745/0/avatar-2-movie-3d.pdf/b16a7fac-2de7-acb7-4e5f-04c143d7d36e
https://www.toluna.com/documents/15350745/0/avatar-2-movie-the-way-of-water.pdf/43a16edf-4f33-813f-b9e8-36956073a357
https://www.toluna.com/documents/15350745/0/avatar-2-the-way-of-water-now-streaming.pdf/7dd0f9a6-2feb-b93f-064a-9cbbe5dbc312
https://www.toluna.com/documents/15350745/0/avatar-2022-movie-now-4k.pdf/90710d64-7fd3-7c2e-58d2-c963deca76ca
https://www.toluna.com/documents/15350745/0/avatar-full-movie-the-way-of-water.pdf/49dad5a7-947e-9bc8-ba1a-2ebc5986e402
https://www.toluna.com/documents/15350745/0/avatar-sequel-2022-now-available.pdf/b0f4ab31-76e1-b174-2c4b-cd70cacd2a5b
https://www.toluna.com/documents/15350745/0/avatar-the-way-of-water-english.pdf/a7c5ffe1-c4ed-fc3f-1a3a-7d65615eed1e
https://www.toluna.com/documents/15350745/0/avatar-the-way-of-water-film-2022.pdf/1144382a-1bdd-52a2-4239-de9d65bbf7d5
https://www.toluna.com/documents/15350745/0/avatar-the-way-of-water-online-streaming.pdf/82c6d280-77d3-3a64-3994-d2f286a9ba00
https://www.toluna.com/documents/15350745/0/james-cameron-avatar-2.pdf/c233ec75-9035-fb14-70ec-adbdcbd59fef
https://www.toluna.com/documents/15350745/0/movies-avatar-2.pdf/91ab986d-c531-3184-ce38-c31a15d75279
https://reallygoodemails.com/avatarpart2
https://reallygoodemails.com/avatarpart2free
https://reallygoodemails.com/avatarpart2fullmovieonlinefree
https://reallygoodemails.com/avatarpart2downloadfullmoviehindi
https://reallygoodemails.com/avatar2ndeditionfilmreleased
https://reallygoodemails.com/avatar2welcomagainpandora
https://reallygoodemails.com/avatarthewayofwater2022filmonlinehdfree
https://reallygoodemails.com/watchavatarthewayofwateronlinedownload
https://reallygoodemails.com/avatarthewayofwaterfreewatch
https://sportsstreamliveonline.blogspot.com/2022/12/free-watch-avatar-2-way-of-water-2022.html
https://challonge.com/maotfpso
https://www.vingle.net/posts/5084992
https://theprose.com/post/552859/sdfwet-wt-wwe-twwe
https://www.exoltech.us/wall/forum/topic/12944
https://telegra.ph/fvh-e-yer-erer-rr-12-14
https://argueanything.com/thread/xcg-wtr-wt-wt-wet-wt-wetwtw/
https://www.toyorigin.com/community/index.php?threads/gher-re-eer-er-rtwewe-wtw.5791/
https://www.docsity.com/en/answers/v-wewe-twet-wew-etwe-twt-ww/358406/
https://open.firstory.me/user/clbnjerkr05x901s06n214wf9
https://techplanet.today/post/sd-wrtwe-twetw-etwe-wet-wetwe-twet-w
http://snaplant.com/question/dsfw-we-twet-wetwet-wetwet-ww/
https://zeno.fm/podcast/new-podcast-jbov/
Motivational quotes https://confidencemail.com/motivational-quotes/