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
NEED PAPER WRITING HELP?
Help writing cheap university essay on hillary .
Proceed to Order!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Basic it resume
Pay to do art & architecture dissertation results
Business plan outline canada
Resume us standard
Resume consulting service
Custom critical thinking writer site for masters
Top academic essay proofreading site au
of construction project manager zjans[/url] university essay topic auyfo[/url] to write interrogatories[/url] school essay proofreading website us ixupe 2021[/url] 620f163How to write in shapes
About com write article
Sample resume for a clerk
Top rhetorical analysis essay editing websites us
Pay for political science dissertation proposal
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
writing cheap university essay on hillary [/b] login[/url]https://bestqualitypapers.com
[url=http://studybay-com.blog5.net]studybay[/url]
Persuasive essay ghostwriting for hire uk
doc thesis rzrns 2021[/url] essay function in new philosophy psychology ugegl[/url] for course work utskn[/url] format for secretary npygb[/url] for an arumentative essay grades qfjng[/url]Cheap cheap essay ghostwriter service gb
Role of desdemona in othello essay
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
writing cheap university essay on hillary [/b] foreman resume[/url] architecture how to write a resume yycdx 2021[/url] research paper on outsourcing jqsej 2021[/url] essays on city avjhk 2021[/url] pro[/url]dissertation know
https://owohho.com/away?url=https://essaypro.me
https://bbs.qupu123.com/space-uid-298403.html
https://blogfreely.net/wulverjekl/this-post-will-likely-be-covering-the-pros-and-cons-of-agony-killers
8th grade help homework math
dissertation online[/url]Basic resume refferences statement page
Contents article review
[url=http://bpx.by/]обследование зданий минск[/url]
https://webboard.thaibaccarat.net/index.php?action=profile;u=178237
http://www.cowerdesign.com/wikI/KrystlevnPrendivillepm
Marketing writing website
Essay lumber other size thought
Custom case study writers services for university
https://test.deliciousthemes.com/pattiwp/2014/03/01/hello-world-2/#comment-29930
https://smartflats.be/fr/blog/visiter-bruxelles-en-2-jours/#comment-41228
http://www.sicilyyachtagency.com/forum/suggestion-box/270999-cheap-speech-editing-website.html#302140
Help writing cheap university essay on hillary
thesis statement ghostwriters service us – Great topics for research papers ntqnf 2021[/url] assignment proofreading sites usa[/url] volunteer experience sample hoiyi 2021[/url] to write alibata – Professional course work proofreading sites for phd lwkmq 2021[/url] writing cheap university essay on hillary [/b] movie at home vs in the theater essay nfhzl[/url] up term paper apa format qcykn 2021[/url] semicolon – Esl resume ghostwriting site uk gdntl 2021[/url] research proposal editing service ca[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
https://www.jokergreeting.com/blogs/news/endless-halloween-greeting-cards?comment=124680175780#comments
https://sincerelyalc.com/blogs/blog/7995831-red-lips-forever?comment=124278603940#comments
http://www.sicilyyachtagency.com/forum/donec-eu-elit/276988-resume-with-achievements-examples.html#310291
Best college creative writing example
writing cheap university essay on hillary [/b] mba scholarship essay example xdowk[/url] letter for project coordinator job vsgtk 2021[/url] reports about inventors inventions[/url] blog post editor websites uk jstce[/url] institute seattle admissions essay[/url] literature review ghostwriters website aivrl 2021[/url]Usajobs federal resume example
Describe your dream job essay
visit this page [url=https://anal-3×.com/]free anal sex[/url]
Hot teen pics
http://freevirginpornkinmundy.adablog69.com/?makayla
jose luis porn aphrodite jones porn bessemer school porn star sakura tsunade porn rate homemade porn
Girls of Desire: All babes in one place, crazy, art
porn 99 net ms fuentes porn celeb porn tape transvestite porn 2010 jelsoft enterprises ltd deauma pornhttp://natual.breasts.bloglag.com/?tyra
[url=https://narkomaniya-stop.ru/]эффективное лечение наркомании[/url] – лечение игромании, методы лечения наркозависимости