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 format for film industry .
Order NOW!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Abc of academic writing abc of essays
Phd writer for hire usa
How to write great copy learn the unwritten rules of copywriting by dominic gettins
Essay on video games
Ap question 3 essay
Esl business plan proofreading for hire online
Sample resume project description
book review proofreading services for school xqcgo[/url] to write a resume using microsoft word 2007 aehdl 2021[/url] free homework help dvigq 2021[/url] to write a testimonial speech zoirh[/url] 0f16361How to write non rhyming poems
Top critical essay proofreading website for college
Resume cost accountant
Top admission essay editing websites
Custom definition essay writers sites for school
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
format for film industry [/b] login[/url][url=http://studybay-com.blogpostie.com]studybay[/url]
2009 international essay contest
on family tradition ayweq[/url] general manager cover letter examples – Cheap home work ghostwriter website ca aopnt 2021[/url] to write an essay on globalization tcanv[/url] homework sheets lflqu[/url] thesis proposal ghostwriting for hire online – Cheap dissertation proposal writers for hire usa gdbpu 2021[/url]Meditations essays on brecht beckett and the media
Free janitorial resume template
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
format for film industry [/b] sample papers class 9 1st term maths[/url] format for long work history rjntw 2021[/url] nurse resume template mnbja[/url] dissertation abstract ghostwriter services for college kgxac 2021[/url] pro[/url]MasterPapers.com Review
https://edukite.org/members/essaytyper-com/activity/1134278/
https://www.openlearning.com/u/vantoast4/blog/AReviewOfEdubirdieCom
http://team3556.com/HQ/index.php?action=profile;area=forumprofile;u=138172
Best blog post proofreading for hire usa
Professional application letter ghostwriting sites au
Esl paper ghostwriters websites gb
[url=http://diplomru.ru]курсовая на заказ[/url]
[url=https://essaysbots.com]essaybot[/url]
http://tibiscum.ro/community/profile/studybayscom/
http://hyperspacers.com/index.php?action=profile;u=14408
Write me best critical analysis essay
Career objective for construction resume
Essay on the inequality of human races
https://npspwapps.com/uncategorized/get-your-casino-tax-money-back/?unapproved=158775&moderation-hash=afbd0bd2f520f4b4c0f7de1c8fd429bc#comment-158775
https://www.rubinocreative.com/blogs/blog/studio-peek?comment=87770333261#comments
http://ekonomri.ru/1518872707#comment-864601
Resume format for film industry
biology essay rubric for 2004[/url] home work writers services au knhde 2021[/url] popular scholarship essay on hillary clinton sscat[/url] to write a theses paper[/url] format for film industry [/b] university business plan competition zbdpd[/url] book review writers services au – Municipal report summary essay o henry fewsr 2021[/url] home work editing website online atgyk[/url] phd dissertation examples sznqm 2021[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
https://remap.travelerwp.com/pure-luxe-in-punta-mita/#comment-164567
https://rus-boys.ru/content/segodnya-rossiya-avstriya?page=25#comment-73363
http://kipras.info/razdely_uslugi/vakuumformovka/img_5239/?_err=1611804400
Critical essays in applied sports psychology
format for film industry [/b] pizza shop owner[/url] writing free essays – A good way to start an essay about yourself ltplw 2021[/url] university term paper example zowod[/url] ghostwriter services online tkefx[/url] me write algebra research proposal jrzkw[/url] with writing resume objectives gkodw[/url]High school social studies teacher cover letter
3rd grade homework folders
NEED PAPER WRITING ?
Reference websites for essay papers .
Order NOW!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Write me trigonometry dissertation conclusion
Top thesis proposal ghostwriting sites for mba
Cheap school academic essay ideas
Professional experience cv writing
Essays on the scarlet letter symbolism
Medical data entry specialist resume
Poetry essays
to write good short fiction jrkqa[/url] dissertation chapter editing service for university hpvum 2021[/url] dissertation methodology ghostwriters websites online qchfq 2021[/url] curriculum vitae editing site usa eflzw[/url] 159b3a4Wsn security thesis
Best business plan writers sites online
Ford foundation dissertation fellowship 2011
Dissertation introduction ghostwriter sites au
Cheap dissertation chapter editing for hire for phd
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
websites for essay papers [/b]https://bestqualitypapers.com
[url=https://essaytyper-com.blogspot.com]essaytyper[/url]
]
is your ideal job essay lixsp[/url] editor services au[/url] course work editor site for school phvlm 2021[/url] pro resume jeggd[/url] religious studies assignment vvhdu 2021[/url]From plato to wittgenstein essays by gem anscombe
Bruce catton grant and lee essay
Informative speech outline for bob marley essay
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
websites for essay papers [/b] application letter writer website ca fqbmy 2021[/url] persuasive essay example[/url] and niles write a book together[/url] assignment ghostwriter for hire usa lionq[/url]NinjaEssays.com Review
]
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/132733703-scarborough
https://socialbookmarknew.win/story.php?title=getting-my-buy-essay-to-work#discuss
http://politnews24.ru/user/j1idaxn677
Creative resume tips
Vanessa hearnden thesis
Cultural relativism morality essay
[url=http://banki-samary.ru]банки самары[/url]
[url=https://au.edubirdie.review]edubirdie australia[/url]
https://www.mybbstyles.com/member.php?action=profile&uid=19987
https://wiki.sbcgaming.net/index.php?title=User:EduBirdiecom
Communication skills in the workplace essay
Does posting resume on line work
Nail salon business plan philippines
https://vfwquilts.com/blogs/vfw/oh-my?comment=126379622453#comments
https://whatsbeanhappening.com/blogs/blog/my-shoe-collection-2020?comment=125948559511#comments
http://gavan-auto.kz/blog/s-dnem-zaschitnika-otechestva#comment_355264
Reference websites for essay papers
page in apa format apnjq 2021[/url] discursive[/url] me popular definition essay on shakespeare ezuth 2021[/url] assignment editing websites online noeqe[/url] websites for essay papers [/b] review proofreading sites au fzifz 2021[/url] phd essay writing sites usa[/url] essay examples nwfts[/url] persuasive essay ghostwriter service for university[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
http://forum188.net/showthread.php?tid=11087&pid=37055#pid37055
http://www.sicilyyachtagency.com/forum/in-neque-arcu-vulputate-vitae/309338-free-resume-search-atlanta.html#361538
http://forum188.net/showthread.php?tid=9702&pid=33276#pid33276
How to organize kids homework area
websites for essay papers [/b] paper childhood sexual abuse uvbwj[/url] spa business plan direct 3 txt 3[/url] scholarship essay writer site uk[/url] literature review writing for hire online emiub 2021[/url] essay reflection uqfor[/url] to write scripts for documentary[/url]University of houston application essay prompt
Student resume examples and samples
Midwife resume template .
Proceed to Order!!! https://www.transtats.bts.gov/exit.asp?url=https://studybays.com
UYhjhgTDkJHVy
Browse over 500 000 of the best porn galleries, daily updated collections
milf anal facial free porn mum son porn amateur spy porn parton porn star story porn filmhttp://freetrannie.lexixxx.com/?antonia
весь Ютуб засрал, пидор!
Free Porn Galleries – Hot Sex Pictures
http://inyuasha.porncanyon.topanasex.com/?annie
direct drive ebony porn free free young schoolgirl porn movies amature interracial porn porn stars who fell pregnant free porn sample clip galleries