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?
Call center resume samples .
Order NOW!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Writing nursing research papers
Cover letter modele
Uk power networks business plan
Type my political science movie review
Custom writing org review
Top rhetorical analysis essay ghostwriters websites online
Do my engineering papers
and design teacher resume bfamm[/url] portfolio manager resume[/url] my earth science dissertation methodology fqygi[/url] creative writing editor service for university dbbew[/url] 159b3a4Best dissertation writers website au
Free essay on network security
Online game research paper
Ftp command resume transfer
How to write a business plan ebook free download
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
center resume samples [/b][url=http://studybay-com.alltdesign.com]studybay[/url]
]
lots of people would like to have one language on our planet however scientist hjwmz 2021[/url] method research papers – Time to kill book report ijlcp 2021[/url] about importance of moral education bufdu[/url] writing task 1 band 9 answers xqydg[/url] problem solving editor for hire au amucj 2021[/url]Ap english language synthesis essay prompts
Pay for my psychology thesis statement
Argumentative essay on gender stereotypes
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
center resume samples [/b] business plan editing websites uk ihrbc[/url] front desk supervisor – Rouge et le noir resume par chapitre wdjja 2021[/url] thesis on james knox polk for kids wrebo[/url] statement of purpose essay xtqvp[/url]MasterPapers.com Review
]
https://pbase.com/topics/essaypro39/the_smart_trick_of_essaypro
http://kurohogama.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=313030
https://www.zotero.org/groups/2940693/oceanshovel7586
Custom problem solving writers website for masters
Written essay accuplacer study
Academic resume for graduate school application template
]
[url=http://ru-zaem.ru/]заем ру[/url]
http://private.vortexweb.net/entry.php?605-5-Easy-Facts-About-studybay-essay-writing-service-Described
http://www.irk.gov.ru/bitrix/rk.php?goto=https://essaypro.me/
When to leave a job off your resume
Top essays writing site online
Custom analysis essay writing sites gb
http://politicsuk.net/hastings/showthread.php?tid=11386&pid=69546#pid69546
http://sinarmas-rent.co.id/konsultasi#comment-12665
http://www.overlord.it/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=481072&p=657582#p657582
Call center resume samples
english essay cpsku[/url] paper on cutting tool technology[/url] art history essays pgksq[/url] reflective essay writing for hire for mba vrokh[/url] center resume samples [/b] work about kazakhstan – Voip resume objective vtvqo 2021[/url] proposal editing services au uegso[/url] plan sample in hotel lzaym[/url] essay example – Professional research paper writing sites for phd bvpna 2021[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
http://besimemta.pl/showthread.php?tid=965&pid=3828#pid3828
https://medalladehonor.cl/foro/index.php?/topic/288313-examples-thesis-statements-aaarf/&page=61#comment-481560
https://beremennost.net/forum/showthread.php?277372-descriptive-essay-scoring-rubric&p=2217715&posted=1#post2217715
How to write numbers in korean
center resume samples [/b] school american government essay topics[/url] grooming business plan pdf uripf 2021[/url] cover letter blank – Dance teacher resume template yvdye 2021[/url] papers writing site au gdtcl 2021[/url] lab resume xewwv[/url] off write a review zen cart[/url]Essay writing-my dream home
Functional resume layout
https://www.cundelatoteh.com/2023/11/video-poor-things-2023-fullmovie.html
https://gamma.app/public/Watch-Poor-Things-2023-Online-full-movie-eho837niyupufwp
https://gamma.app/public/VIDEO-The-Holdovers-2023-FullMovie-ENG-SUB-Watch-Online-On-123mov-qnvu7gjwo78xg95
https://www.cundelatoteh.com/2023/11/video-holdovers-2023-fullmovie-watch.html
https://www.cundelatoteh.com/2023/11/radical-2023-fullmovie-eng-sub-watch.html
https://gamma.app/public/ENG-SUB-Radical-2023-FullMovie-Watch-Online-On-123movies-3Pas-Stu-cr1mh6djgdlqjol
https://gamma.app/public/VIDEO-Deep-Fear-2023-FullMovie-ENG-SUB-Watch-Online-On-123movies—ex1g4nvhesy1tf4
https://www.cundelatoteh.com/2023/11/deep-fear-2023-fullmovie-eng-sub-watch.html
https://gamma.app/public/VIDEO-The-Creator-2023-FullMovie-ENG-SUB-Watch-Online-On-123movie-xsqa5i6qtt6zvds
https://www.cundelatoteh.com/2023/11/the-creator-2023-fullmovie-eng-sub.html
https://www.lambeteja.com/2023/11/expedition-unknown-season-13-episode-1.html
https://gamma.app/public/Where-To-Watch-Expedition-Unknown-Season-13-Episode-1-Full-Online-14rpmyrw66cv63c
https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/wp-content/-/en
https://telecomtv.ro/euro/
https://francathemovie.com/backup/
https://sevengardens.com.sa/site/
https://demnetafrica.org/sample-page/
https://credoadvisory.com/home-2/
https://366power.com/sample-page/
https://n-wec.org/redditvideos/
https://nextieradvisory.com/home-copy/
https://www.linkodkabitenyo.cavite.gov.ph/linkod-kabitenyo-cavite/
https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/covid/
https://nextierpower.com/
https://nextierspd.com/
https://thenextier.com/privacy-policy/
https://ebsites.com.br/teste/
https://bighousetotiny.ndlservices.com/english-subtitles-the-animal-kingdom-2023-watch-film-france/
https://marcusnovaes.com.br/english-subtitles-the-animal-kingdom-2023-watch-film-france/
https://thatsfishy.co.za/2023/11/02/english-subtitles-the-animal-kingdom-2023-watch-film-france/
https://jekyllwood.com/2023/11/02/english-subtitles-the-animal-kingdom-2023-watch-film-france/
https://dijalog.rs/2023/11/english-subtitles-the-animal-kingdom-2023-watch-film-france/
https://lolwi.org/english-subtitles-the-animal-kingdom-2023-watch-film-france/
https://www.dogezilla.io/english-subtitles-the-animal-kingdom-2023-watch-film-france/
https://www.francathemovie.com/english-subtitles-the-animal-kingdom-2023-watch-film-france/
https://hamagotchi.es/the-animal-kingdom-2023-watch-online-eng-sub/
https://novi.koms.rs/the-animal-kingdom-2023-watch-online-eng-sub/
https://spacexstats.com/the-animal-kingdom-2023-watch-online-eng-sub/
https://howtochangetheworldmovie.com/the-animal-kingdom-2023-watch-online-eng-sub/
https://www.gimmeshoes.com/the-animal-kingdom-2023-watch-online-eng-sub/
https://fiftyonefiftyone.com/the-animal-kingdom-2023-watch-online-eng-sub/
https://falainyc.com/the-animal-kingdom-2023-watch-online-eng-sub/
https://dfy.iceleraite.io/the-animal-kingdom-2023-watch-online-eng-sub/
https://tubbyapp.com/the-animal-kingdom-2023-watch-online-eng-sub/
https://www.madinovaesadv.com.br/the-animal-kingdom-2023-watch-online-eng-sub/
https://nyobain2017.com/2023/11/02/watch-the-animal-kingdom-2023-film-france-english-subtitles/
https://koms.rs/pps/review/2023/11/02/watch-the-animal-kingdom-2023-film-france-english-subtitles/
https://tripily.co/startupnet/blog/watch-the-animal-kingdom-2023-film-france-english-subtitles/
https://rickytanzaniaholidays.com/2023/11/02/watch-the-animal-kingdom-2023-film-france-english-subtitles/
https://azresilience.com/watch-the-animal-kingdom-2023-film-france-english-subtitles/
https://applicant5.crazydevexam.com/2023/11/watch-the-animal-kingdom-2023-film-france-english-subtitles/
https://familycareattampapalms.com/watch-the-animal-kingdom-2023-film-france-english-subtitles/
https://rostennis.ru/watch-the-animal-kingdom-2023-film-france-english-subtitles/
https://www.linkodkabitenyo.cavite.gov.ph/murdaugh-murders-a-southern-scandal-season-3-release-date-spoilers-cast-updates-full-where-to-watch-stream/
https://orion-eastafrica.com/murdaugh-murders-a-southern-scandal-season-3-release-date-spoilers-cast-updates-full-fullmovie-raddit-videos/
https://techmonteconsulting.co.ke/murdaugh-murders-a-southern-scandal-season-3-release-date-spoilers-cast-updates-full-stream-video-reddit/
https://howtochangetheworldmovie.com/murdaugh-murders-a-southern-scandal-season-3-release-date-spoilers-cast-updates-full-rent-buy-this-movie-on-123movies-reddit-video/
https://dfy.iceleraite.io/murdaugh-murders-a-southern-scandal-season-3-release-date-spoilers-cast-updates-full-stream-reddit-2023/
https://gamma.app/docs/Watch-Taylor-Swift-The-Eras-Tour-2023-FullMovie-Free-Online-on-12-kcidctaw47f6io8
https://gamma.app/public/Watch-Mortal-Kombat-Legends-Cage-Match-2023-FullMovie-Free-Online-1tmbf4uqlf302zx
https://gamma.app/public/Fitness-Exercise-Programs-Best-Exercise-Program-for-You-5×8ix14xtaqmuou
https://gamma.app/public/Watch-Taylor-Swift-The-Eras-Tour-2023-FullMovie-Free-Online-on-12-kcidctaw47f6io8
https://gamma.app/public/Northern-Illinois-at-Central-Michigan-NCAA-Football-Week-10-Octob-bgik1l9vb1311rr
https://gamma.app/public/Buffalo-at-Toledo-NCAA-Football-Week-10-October-31-2023-Streaming-vbik3cjczpyo2cu
https://gamma.app/public/The-Boulet-Brothers-Dragula-Season-5-Episode-1-Premiere-5p5ct81n231vbec
https://gamma.app/public/Love-Hip-Hop-Miami-Season-5-Episode-12-Watch-Online-bge7jwfkztzn4va
https://gamma.app/public/Five-Nights-at-Freddys-Movie-Watch-Online-01xrkmpiz2gtfs2
https://gamma.app/public/The-Exorcist-Believer-Watch-Full-Movie-Online-s5lg47htd4dala7
https://gamma.app/public/The-Marvels-2023-Watch-FullMovie-Online-on-123Movies-yup9p5eymwxm2se
https://gamma.app/public/Napoleon-2023-Watch-Full-Movie-Online-on-123Movies-q414mecjiklc23p
https://gamma.app/public/The-Hunger-Games-The-Ballad-of-Songbirds-Snakes-2023-Watch-Full-O-9us56kdof99gnpx
https://gamma.app/public/Watch-Once-Upon-a-Studio-2023-Full-Movie-Online-on-123Movies-2kek28jpvn7cr6z