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?
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
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_cReflective essay writers sites usa
Esl cv ghostwriting for hire for university
Custom article review editing service us
Free math homework help or instructions
Sample resume for computer support technician
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
mechanical maintenance engineer [/b] pro[/url][url=https://www.quora.com/profile/Essaypro-Co-1]essaypro[/url]
Resume pmo
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]Civil construction resume
Type my custom phd essay on hillary
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
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]a dissertation topic
]
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
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][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
Top cv writing service gb
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]Convert dissertation journal article
Essay on oscar romero
Ответ: Многие дачники, точно, жалуются на то, сколько под чёрным мульчирующим агроволокном заводятся муравьи.
Дабы обеспечить такой сияние, дозволено употреблять лампы дневного света.
С каждым годом выращивание овощных и фруктовых культур на дачах и приусадебных участках становится все более популярным занятием.
Когда они чуть опускают кончики, нуждаться полить, а коли стоят бодро подождите опять немного.
декоративная решетка на потолок
пленка люкс купить в ростове
https://agrohoztorg.ru/catalog/тепличная-пленка/армированная-пленка-для-теплиц-50м/ – армированная пленка цена в ростове
Всякий садовод мечтает приобретать высокие урожаи быть минимальных затратах для удобрение и полив.
Разве же в нем исполнять отверстия чтобы посадки культурных растений, то можно создать отличную теплую грядку, которой не страшна засуха, обилие сорняков и вредителей.
Разумеется, что таким высоким требованиям способен протестовать как нынешний материал, изготовленный с применением современных технологий и новейших разработок.
— Уменьшает испарения с поверхности почвы, сохраняет почвенную влагу и снижает норму полива;
Scandal porn galleries, daily updated lists
http://superbabepornrensselaerfalls.kanakox.com/?taya
star porn name worlds best free streaming porn animal porn free three tits porn star adora porn star real name
Достоинства агроспана уже некоторый оценили по достоинству.Укрывной материал Агроспан: для укрытия больших площадейДаже около установке качественного поликарбоната УФ-защитным покрытием вниз, а не к солнцу, сиречь рекомендует виновник, вещество теряет свойства и разрушается.В процессе производства в мульчирующий вещь вносят ультрафиолетовый стабилизатор, что обеспечивает долгий срок здание, а добавка технического углерода окрашивает материя в грязный цвет.
сетка пластиковая астрахань
геотекстиль купить в асрахани
https://astrahan.agrohoztorg.ru/product-category/geotekstil/ – геотекстиль астрахань
Эстетичный лицевой вид.Агроткань – это тканый вещество чёрного цвета, предназначенный чтобы мульчирования почвы.Ребра жесткости должны помещаться строго около прямым углом, не допускается волнистость ребер по длине листа.Влага и атмосфера свободно проникает после полотно.
Большая Мошонка немецкое порно со зрелыми – секс фильмы. Дрочим https://mashonka.icu/categories/%D0%97%D0%B2%D0%B5%D0%B7%D0%B4%D1%8B/ безмездно здесь! Купа редких xxx фильмов добавляется ежедневно!
скачать порно девочек мастурбацию
NEED PAPER WRITING HELP?
Professional argumentative essay writer websites gb .
Proceed to Order!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Free rough draft essays
Is homework developmentally appropriate for kindergarten
Resume stephen dufour
Fountainhead essay contest 2012 winners
Esl dissertation conclusion editor service uk
Best research paper ghostwriters service
Essay on the 5th amendment
resume sharing – Literary essay intro ekdxs 2021[/url] masters rhetorical analysis essay topics – Here is new york eb white essay ywnfx 2021[/url] presentation editing sites online mchnc 2021[/url] and construction business plan[/url] ca11_edCustom scholarship essay proofreading website uk
Pay for esl academic essay on shakespeare
Popular reflective essay writer sites for college
Special education case law term papers
Essay paryavaran hindi language
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
argumentative essay writer websites gb [/b]https://bestqualitypapers.com
[url=https://issuu.com/essaypro.co]essaypro[/url]
]
critical thinking editing for hire au qdqil 2021[/url] s essay – Custom personal statement writer websites for school nhsom 2021[/url] cover letter part 1 zufiw 2021[/url] assessment essay example – Tips on how to write a good song svulr 2021[/url] resume for oil field sales bjbvo[/url]Custom scholarship essay on donald trump
Scarlet letter punishment thesis
Bildungsroman essays
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
argumentative essay writer websites gb [/b] rfp response cover letter sample obtys[/url] paragraph argumentative essay format rhzcc[/url] on effects of broken homes on children mqxwq[/url] page cover letter format oqhez[/url] pro[/url]Essaywriter.org Review
http://aoao.tw/forum/home.php?mod=space&uid=150469
http://sc.sie.gov.hk/TuniS/essaypro.co/
http://www.simplyzoom.com/forums/users/studybayusa/
Custom analysis essay ghostwriting website for masters
официальный сайт[/url]Start a business essay
Summer student resume sample free
]
https://images.google.co.hu/url?q=https://buyessayusa.com
http://corum.escortbayanilan.net/author/edubirdiecom/
Essay about k-12 education in the philippines
What is important to note about formulating a tentative thesis
La princesse de cleves resume
http://forum.prozagar.com.ua/topic/501968-business-plan-values-statement/page__gopid__1335890&#entry1335890
http://forum.enemy.su/topic/453105-research-paper-on-harriet-tubman/#comment-2593204
https://djlhaiti.com/fromaidtotrade/haiti-aid-what-the-media-didnt-tell-you/comment-page-5/?unapproved=271464&moderation-hash=f6df075d0a40c34b88a3cdf2388b123b#comment-271464
Professional argumentative essay writer websites gb
sample for job interview – Custom critical essay ghostwriter website for college ysbgp 2021[/url] for my sociology critical thinking hcfxi[/url] mla format 2011 pxduk 2021[/url] analysis of kidnapped aeyub[/url] argumentative essay writer websites gb [/b] research proposal writers service usa umjuv 2021[/url] article ghostwriter site ca jyqcy[/url] assignment ghostwriter for hire for college xskyr[/url] to write chemical formulas in word vekbh[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
http://forum.prozagar.com.ua/topic/435822-comparative-words-for-essays/page__st__2420__gopid__1344946&#entry1344946
https://theperfectpant.com/blogs/blog/the-beginnings-of-the-perfect-pant?comment=119362879627#comments
https://sedami.com/cours/comment-digitaliser-son-entreprise/?unapproved=63319&moderation-hash=9308d2fd07314b01922e269537d800ac#comment-63319
Write a great college essay
argumentative essay writer websites gb [/b] research proposal editing website hokrh 2021[/url] letter ghostwriting website ca jnhqi[/url] analys[/url] de victor hugo resume manbk 2021[/url] on obama[/url] resources employee relations resume vjixq[/url]Sport resume template
Development associate cover letter example