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
New hot project galleries, daily updates
carla todd porn perving porn x hamster porn tube utube of porn free porn masturbation movieshttp://ugaapp.instakink.com/?ximena
NEED PAPER WRITING ?
Essay on the role of women in modern society .
Order NOW!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Professional thesis statement writing site for phd
Rags to riches research paper
Define mission statement business plan
I hate my teacher essay
Esl paper proofreading website gb
Brave new world essays on technology
Essay writing topics for university students
globalization good bad – Business plan private equity tbtmp 2021[/url] ghostwriting service au dhndt[/url] exploring writing paragraph to essay waccess code by langan rvwfx[/url] to write language level cv dvsno[/url] adca17_Modern style resume
How to write a proposal email
Retail business plan free trail
How to write a resume that
Cover letter for financial analyst entry level
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
on the role of women in modern society [/b] login[/url][url=https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Education/EssayTyper-Type-My-Essay-Online-Essay-Typer-100172728508443/]EssayTyper[/url]
Breaking the norm free essay
essay powerpoint uxysr 2021[/url] sql resume for fresher vwnlz[/url] dissertation methodology ghostwriters service oduyg[/url] should you use instead of suspend and resume java kkfkh[/url] content ghostwriter site for university[/url]Problem statement for dissertation
Program manager resume objective examples
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
on the role of women in modern society [/b] letter template cv uk oviqy[/url] of the opening essay complete t filmbay iv 221 html ljfkx 2021[/url] cheap essay writing websites for mba bkuys 2021[/url] to get ancient civilizations article xqzve[/url] pro[/url]apa 7 dissertation
http://bbs.dnmso.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=530135
http://mario2020.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=209384
https://wiki-byte.win/index.php/15_Things_Your_Boss_Wishes_You_Knew_About_essaybot
Petit resume de cyrano de bergerac
Popular argumentative essay writers site for masters
How to make a proffessional resume
[url=https://cabinet-bank.ru.com]банки кабинет[/url]
[url=http://obsledovanie.www.by/stroitelnaya-ekspertiza]Строительная экспертиза[/url]
http://krachelart.com/UserProfile/tabid/43/UserID/541224/Default.aspx
http://www.geoff-wp.sfc-forma.net/community/profile/studybayscom/
Essay about where are you going where have you been
Top definition essay ghostwriters website for school
Access code homework manager
http://heiyu100.com/web/viewtopic.php?p=31379#31379
https://kyorakusanyo3.blog.ss-blog.jp/2013-08-08-2?comment_fail=1#commentblock&time=1620910882
https://devilevo.com/blogs/news/devil-evolution-in-the-world?comment=124223946904#comments
Essay on the role of women in modern society
admission essay ghostwriter websites online nfxqz[/url] opposing gay marriage nviza 2021[/url] construction resume mzwpi[/url] rhetorical analysis essay writers website for school dpwjx[/url] on the role of women in modern society [/b] visual maestro essay phrgu[/url] stage 3 french homework tgmjt[/url] in canadian universities itqzx[/url] graduate school resume objective ajzhw[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
https://suveniryregionov.ru/product/pepelnica-gotika/reviews/?msg=nm6j#add-review
https://topmusicarts.com/blogs/news/creating-a-remix-in-ableton?comment=124404072497#comments
http://www.artino.at/Guestbook/index.php?&mots_search=&lang=german&skin=&&seeMess=1&seeNotes=1&seeAdd=0&code_erreur=RZsyGAgjSk
Tromba mundi essay for six trumpets essay for six trumpets
on the role of women in modern society [/b] dissertation results proofreading site usa ziqst 2021[/url] dissertation introduction writer websites fqfvg[/url] ghostwriting for hire for phd unxso 2021[/url] for high school research paper ksqpu[/url] to cite sites in apa format clbbz 2021[/url] homework vocabulary qrzpg[/url]An essay on the foundations of geometry
Critical analysis in essays examples
We comply with the Notice and Takedown requirements of 17 U.S.C. § 512 of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (“DMCA”). This site qualifies as a “Service Provider” under the DMCA. Accordingly, it is entitled to certain protections from claims of copyright infringement, commonly referred to as the “safe harbor”
We comply with the Notice and Takedown requirements of 17 U.S.C. § 512 of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (“DMCA”). This site qualifies as a “Service Provider” under the DMCA. Accordingly, it is entitled to certain protections from claims of copyright infringement, commonly referred to as the “safe harbor”
Sexy teen photo galleries
schoolboysecrets porn starts free homemade porn clips and videos porn free cartoon clips 3d anaglyph porn free porn for woemnhttp://hiddencamporn.miyuhot.com/?odalys