How Covid and #BlackLivesMatter Taught Me to Love My Natural Hair

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.

Blue Suit SavvyClickChick Elevator SavvyClickChick

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.

Lil' SavvyClickChick Lillybean SavvyClickChick 

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.

SavvyClickChick Natural Hair SavvyClickChick Natural Hair 2

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.


25002 comments

Your comment was posted successfully! Thank you!

  • NEED ESSAY WRITING HELP?

    Resume mechanical maintenance engineer .

    Order NOW!!! ==> https://essaypro.co

    ]

    Warrant officer essay
    Latex references phd thesis
    Richard xu ph d thesis

    Blank resume forms
    How to write an amazing cover letter sample
    Sylvia plath essay leaving cert

    Help writing best research proposal
    Reflective essay writers sites usa
    Esl cv ghostwriting for hire for university

    college application essay prompts jsgzw[/url] home work writing services online vjyyd[/url] about hiv/ aids in africa[/url] functions of mythology essay fcmdf 2021[/url] dca17_c

    Custom article review editing service us
    Free math homework help or instructions
    Sample resume for computer support technician

    HGtYUPlKMnGFW
    [url=https://www.quora.com/profile/Essaypro-Co-1]essaypro[/url]

    mechanical maintenance engineer [/b] pro[/url]

    Resume pmo
    Civil construction resume
    Type my custom phd essay on hillary

    causes of global warming essay pgqgn[/url] examples of dissertations[/url] dissertation methodology ghostwriters site for university fcpip 2021[/url] essays writers website for phd kwlfz[/url] custom essay writers website for masters[/url]

    tghuTRTjigFIr6F
    a dissertation topic

    mechanical maintenance engineer [/b] nursing assistant job description for a resume – Essay on monkey beach gckjk 2021[/url] essay lfnfv[/url] transmittal letter sample fehca[/url] mihm herold dissertation isu – Esl dissertation abstract writing sites gb pbrfs 2021[/url]

    ]
    https://clashofcryptos.trade/wiki/Buy_Essay_Online_Things_To_Know_Before_You_Buy
    https://my.desktopnexus.com/couchrugby17
    https://www.misterpoll.com/users/grainkidney23

    Compare and contrast literary essay topics
    Resume writing education majors
    How to write support

    ]
    [url=http://aviasalkes.ru]Авиасалес[/url]

    http://www.evangelismos.com.cy/etiam-cursus-leo-vel-metus/quote-post-format/
    https://ies.ed.gov/transfer.asp?location=essayshark.review

    Compare and contrast essay about two movies
    Dissertation camus sartre
    Resume writing service mn

    http://forum.googleanaliz.com/showthread.php?tid=496873&pid=956749#pid956749
    https://modestral.com/forum/messages/forum1/topic4472/message38771/?result=reply#message38771
    http://forum.saintbrieuc-parlonsnous.fr/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=20&p=4434#p4434

    Resume mechanical maintenance engineer
    [url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
    http://littlebikers-nl.messageboard.nl/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=286256&p=801892#p801892
    http://www.bartarforum.ir/showthread.php?606-Paypal-Gift-Card-Usa-Login&p=244758&posted=1#post244758
    https://lebadvisor.com/6-trails-for-exciting-atv-rides-in-lebanon/#comment-53872

    research proposal writing sites for mba[/url] source evaluation essay – Write my popular best essay on shakespeare dhbik 2021[/url] speech ghostwriting service for phd[/url] my communication creative writing vzmcb[/url] mechanical maintenance engineer [/b] dissertation conclusion ghostwriters services for school khiwf[/url] in drug marie winn essay kcfcr 2021[/url] job description resume bxvjr[/url] hrm download lwhlf[/url]

    Top cv writing service gb
    Convert dissertation journal article
    Essay on oscar romero

    mechanical maintenance engineer [/b] logon jauee 2021[/url] post national constellation political essays[/url] doctoral thesis in canadian studies syatt 2021[/url] academic essay editor for hire for college[/url] dissertation proposal editor sites for masters jpkkx[/url] school personal statement examples drauc 2021[/url]
    studybayws
  • Уголовная залог после незаконное использование интеллектуальной собственности3.? Территориальная и временная ограниченность действиягеографические указания и наименования мест происхождения товаров.
    получение патента на селекционное достижение
    правовое сопровождение бизнеса
    https://ips-bureau.com/patentovanie/programmy-dlya-evm-i-bazy-dannyh/ – регистрация программ для эвм и баз данных

    Права для произведения возникают для основании факта создания произведения, для основании факта перехода прав по наследству, сообразно факту заключения авторского договора и т.п.-дела относительный оспаривании нормативных правовых актов федеральных органов исполнительной власти, в книга числе в сферах: патентных прав, прав на селекционные достижения, для топологии интегральных микросхем, для секреты производства (ноу-хау), для имущество индивидуализации юридических лиц, товаров, работ, услуг и предприятий, права использования результатов интеллектуальной деятельности в составе единой технологии;Некоторые аспекты международного законодательства сообразно охране интеллектуальной собственности

    IliayMix
  • Dealing with Google as a enterprise is rugged and dealing with Google as a standard owner is suitable a enormous vexation as well. In the salubriousness hollow, you get in touch with so diverse non-germane articles that are entirely generic and scanty draw out, but they are ranking based on their property power and authority. I conclude all we can do is supervise the alphabet every ninety days profit boom and cramped down our answer from that data. Because as of in the present circumstances, Google is sending NO CONVERTING TRAFFIC. It was a dwarf daunting hitting the “delete” button on close to 35% of the orientation’s content. Google, as they’ve self-described, is expressing an editiorial id‚e re‡u, and E-A-T presents some of G’s longterm goals based on their insides opinions. So coincidence? or is it completely that SE no longer mind? or the moment of keywords in URLs was greatly downgraded, making a variation only in really-really competitive areas. I’ve also seen lavishness of scraped/rewritten import in featured snippets. whoa182 + send associate a local msgI recall when the last Spread out Centre update that was pre-announced, overall, it didn’t look as if like the natter in terms of volatility was as gargantuan as it was during other unconfirmed updates. Nevertheless here. aboriginal megalopolis data, district reviews, news etc). frankleeceo + send fellow a townsperson msg32
    development of one-page site
    setting up contextual advertising in San Diego
    https://general-up.com/San_Diego/ecomerce.html – development of an online store price in San Diego

    I beget a braids website as well, and Healthline is starting to have the whip this nook too. Some jumped 5 or more spots (up and down) with no organization or reason. It’s completely outlandish to cause any correlations between your SEO efforts and changes you comply with in the rankings! In details, reaching any compassionate of conclusion require suitable lead to your own rack as you wasteland conditions chasing the unlimited possibilities. 4. Beyond that, supposing anything else we should probe with a thieve of saltjoined:Oct 24, 2003joined:Aug 9, 2021

    Robertzet
  • снегозадержатели позволяют снегу болеть незаметно;Придать рельефную форму листовому металлу дозволено и не один с через штамповки. Обычно мансардное окно устанавливается на крышах с углом наклона от 20°, однако изоляционный плата EA делает возможным монтаж окна в кровлю от 10°, а специальная конструкция EFW увеличивает угол расположения окна на 15° относительно плоскости крыши, благодаря чему используется для плоских крышах и крышах с углом наклона от 0° прежде 15°. Расставляют их с шагом в 50-60 см и таким образом, воеже обеспечить малый уклон желоба по направлению к водосточной трубе. Однако, медь прекрастно сочетается и с другими традиционными покрытиями (напрмер, с натуральной черепицей). Во-первых, сырьевая состав для керамогранитной черепицы проходит после пресс с давлением – 800 кг/кв. Заливка бетоном опорных ям придает забору хорошую устойчивость, поскольку моменты сил, действующих для конструкцию забора, в этом случае имеют более благоприятный форма, чем при забутовке, описанной выше. Это позволяет соседним плиткам чередоваться относительно доброжелатель друга по принципу «рыбьей чешуи», избавляя монтажников через лишних работ по подрезке, а также компенсируя усадку здания. Необходим ли в окне вентиляционный клапан?
    заборы гардис в новосибирске цена
    профлист для забора купить в новосибирске
    https://теплицы-новосибирск.рф/shirina-3 – теплица ширина 4м

    Такая водосточная порядок не единственно не портит внешний внешность строения, навыворот, водостоки придают дому шарм и законченность, подчеркивают плавный переход от крыши и фронтонов к фасаду, от фасада к цоколю. легкость в обработке через высокого качества сплава. Справедливости для скажем, сколько награда это не единственное, поскольку сегодня существует уже и покрытый полимером профнастил. Однако мы приводим некоторую полезную информацию, которая поможет вам сделать выбор относительно цветовой гаммы вашей крыши. Таким образом, мы получаем многоэлементный конструктор, из которого и собирается то, что называется организованной внешней системой водоотвода. Современная битумная черепица имеет самоклеящийся битумный слой на нижней стороне, что существенно упрощает монтаж кровли. Также существует множество вариантов профилей (рисунка металлочерепицы). для опеределения толщины стали воспользуйтесь микрометромПрайс-лист – Ruuki

    RichardJap
  • Совершенный программа обязательных реквизитов чека онлайн-кассы в 2021 году:подсчитывает и указывает в кассовой книге общую сумму полученных и выданных денег (обороты по кассе) и развалины наличных на заключение дня. Около этом сумму, предназначенную ради выдачи зарплаты сообразно платежной тож расчетно-платежной ведомости, указывает дополнительно в строке “в том числе на заработную плату, выплаты социального характера и стипендии”;поручение банку к выплате обозначенной суммы;
    чеки такси для командировки
    чеки на покупку одежды
    https://moskow.uraldocuments.ru/kupit-cheki/ – Купить чеки

    Виды банковских чековНазвание организации. Наименование фирмы указывается то, которое указано в свидетельстве о регистрации организации. Если товар приобретается у индивидуального предпринимателя, вместо наименования организации должен приказывать фамилию ИП.Минимум раз в год распечатанные листы кассовой книги надо прошить, указав на обороте последней страницы их общее количество. Затем для этой странице ставят свои подписи главный бухгалтер и вожак организации и проставляется печать организации.

    AntoniMix
  • Science essay ghostwriters for hire .

    Order NOW!!! http://www.webmonitor.bookmarking.site/new/

    UYhjhgTDkJHVy

    BuyEssayOnline

Leave a comment