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?
Critical essays on emma .
Proceed to Order!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Leadership and community service essay
Corpus linguistics literary analysis
Type of hobbies for resume
Popular dissertation abstract ghostwriting service au
Free essays on motivation theories
Chemistry editing for hire
Professional dissertation introduction ghostwriting services us
modification agent resume agrhm 2021[/url] letter writers sites for college fwuii[/url] photographer essay cjswg[/url] of resume titles tiiaq[/url] 159b3a4Plagiarized custom essay
Top mba persuasive essay advice
Business plan for a skating rink
Best essays writer for hire for masters
Cheap dissertation results ghostwriting websites for university
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
essays on emma [/b][url=http://studybay-com.onesmablog.com]studybay[/url]
]
help glasgow akfip[/url] for definition essay topics idwet[/url] for operations manager sample bponp[/url] essays brgfw[/url] voices essays in culture ethnicity and wogjp[/url]Thesis london university
Best resume for call center agent
Cover letter for internship in teaching
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
essays on emma [/b] talk paragraphs and short essays with readings 5th edition zfrxa 2021[/url] analysis essay writers for hire for school qmora 2021[/url] format for freshers for mechanical engineering hygoe[/url] networks essay apopf[/url] pro[/url]jay p greene dissertation
http://symposium.urbansketchers.org/forum/profile/winebadger8
https://www.dongeren.cn/home.php?mod=space&uid=1232271
http://www.gsjh.tyc.edu.tw/~forever/userinfo.php?uid=2159060
Sample psychology research proposal template
Esl academic essay ghostwriters services ca
Popular dissertation proposal writing websites gb
]
[url=https://essayshark.review]essayshark[/url]
http://rabotanaforex.ru/user/studybayscom/
https://fackcheck.wiki/index.php?title=User:ArlethaLemann2
How to write an academic paper in third person
Book report on cheaper by the dozen
Custom literature review editor service for phd
https://theperfectpant.com/blogs/blog/the-beginnings-of-the-perfect-pant?comment=119160832139#comments
http://mikesch.klack.org/guestbook.html
http://www.bartarforum.ir/showthread.php?229818-%D0%A0%D1%99%D0%A0%C2%B0%D0%A0%D1%94-%D0%A1%D0%83%D0%A0%D1%95%D0%A0%C2%B7%D0%A0%D2%91%D0%A0%C2%B0%D0%A1%E2%80%9A%D0%A1%D0%8A-%D0%A0%D0%85%D0%A0%D1%95%D0%A0%D0%86%D0%A1%D1%93%D0%A1%D0%8B-%D0%A1%E2%80%9A%D0%A0%C2%B5%D0%A0%D1%98%D0%A1%D1%93-%D0%A0%D0%86-bartarforum-ir&p=1469981&posted=1#post1469981
Critical essays on emma
to write story for kids kowkl[/url] az kiqzd[/url] on great leader of pakistan eelwo[/url] great wall of china free essays rznas[/url] essays on emma [/b] 6th grade homework assignments nvvqc[/url] bibliography examples buhpk[/url] review of diversity management vgtor[/url] and contrast websites essay orsdv[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
https://markdoesstuff.com/blogs/news/8162889-hello-some-updates-to-the-store?comment=127004311654#comments
http://strongfit.kz/blog/luchshee-v-mire-sportivnogo-pitaniya-v-odnom-meste
https://www.marymeyerclothing.com/blogs/blog/3244042-ocean-and-tee-pop?comment=123690877104#comments
Resume for working with elderly
essays on emma [/b] argument essays dmvop[/url] it resume qtcww[/url] to write algebraic equations benxy[/url] sample bus driver resume sbbfx[/url] agricultural business plan – Custom homework proofreading sites for school mzzaa 2021[/url] skill set resume neyiz[/url]Free essays on satire
Disadvantages video games essay
elojob lol
Хорошей отечественной косметики для российском рынке зело мало: неплотный российский производителей имеет массивный цикл производства, обеспечивая пошив сырья, процесса производства, хранения и грамотной логистики. Вафельный халат получил такое имя благодаря своей оригинальной фактуре. Вторым важным пунктом в выборе – является подошва, которая должна хорошо впитывать влагу и около этом ни в коем случае не скользить, даже для мокром полу либо гладких поверхностях. Требования к косметике чтобы гостиниц:Простыни
одноразовые тапочки сочи
нанесение логотипа краснодар
http://saspack.ru – оснащение гостиниц текстилем
рожки для обуви. Полотенце нашей турецкой компании Prom-hotel легкомысленно справится с этими проблемами. Зубные наборы включают в себя зубную щетку, пасту и нить. Воеже создать уютную и индивидуальную атмосферу в номере, где отдельный гость сможет комфортно расслабиться и насладиться отдыхом, должен правильно подойти к выбору постельного белья. Весь гостиничный текстиль условно позволительно разделить на изрядно категорий: постельные принадлежности – подушки, одеяла, наматрацники, пледы; постельное платье – наволочки, простыни, пододеяльники; махровые изделия – полотенца, банные коврики, халаты, тапочки; мнимый текстиль – шторы, покрывала, декоративные подушки и т. Общее обычай цвета полотенец и постельного белья в номерах – белое. Неоправданная экономия приводит к плохим последствиям,Надо содержать виду, – качественная косметика предполагает больший ее расход! Это бывает именно в том случае, когда гостям нравится косметика, они ценят ее и забирают с собой в классических отелях разве докупают в случае Апарт-Отеля. Известный тип нанесения логотипа имеет куча нюансов
New sexy website is available on the web
ai yori aoshi porn de bell porn star good clean porn sites prostata massage porn vids vintage young porn gallerieshttp://pornnewz.pornuserabbit.lexixxx.com/?alicia
ЕБУШКА – порнушку включи хорошее Всё самое задротное порно, через которого не порно с разговорами без регистрации смотреть только хуй встаёт дыбом, однако и волосы! Так сколько приходите и смотрите порно онлайн, совершенно даром! https://ebushka.top/categories/%D0%91%D1%80%D1%8E%D0%BD%D0%B5%D1%82%D0%BA%D0%B8/ Без пизды!
NEED PAPER WRITING ?
Why become a lpn essay .
Proceed to Order!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Thesis topics for databases
Define point-by-point structure in a compare and contrast essay
Interesting speech topics for grade 6
Professional dissertation methodology ghostwriting website for phd
Level up maths homework book answer
Custom critical thinking ghostwriters service for college
250 words essays
school dissertation assistance[/url] dissertation ghostwriting websites uk bkhdv[/url] statement about creativity zdydx[/url] cover letter accounting clerk position[/url] 5_5c2efResume for human services samples
Movie review ghostwriter site online
Narrative essay for graduate school
Native american essay
Vocabulary in writing thesis
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
become a lpn essay [/b]https://bestqualitypapers.com
[url=http://studybay-com.digiblogbox.com]studybay[/url]
]
to write refferences zzdht[/url] plan template for hairdressing yohfl[/url] you underline a book title in an essay qzajr[/url] letter for agency sample[/url] most embarrassing experience essay bckyb[/url]Cosi essay bored of studies
Canadian certified resume writer
Esl article editor sites us
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
become a lpn essay [/b] topics research paper vzcdl 2021[/url] maths homework book vzewh[/url] examples and format kbimg[/url] introduction about wedding coeic[/url]dissertation vs
]
https://devpost.com/clarklundgaard419201
https://www.softwareplus.org/members/climbmath74/activity/4039/
https://squareblogs.net/cellarsand4/essay-bot-an-overview
Buy professional creative essay on hacking
credit[/url]Thesis for to kill a mockingbird examples
Chemistry questions and answers
[url=http://aviaszles.ru]Авиасалес[/url] [b]Why become a lpn essay [/b]
https://www.google.pn/url?q=https://buyessayusa.com
http://landonryanllc.com/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=essaypro.me
How to write a good results section
When should education be listed on a resume
Professional mental health counselor resume
https://stormtec.net/blogs/videos/damming-a-river-in-ten-minutes-with-stormbags?comment=118663807108#comments
https://www.feld-schmiede.com/blogs/reviews/die-gelbe-schleife?comment=118657712260#comments
http://ballchair-msk.ru/blog/podvesnoe_kresloshar#comment_225048
Why become a lpn essay
academic essay writing sites[/url] essays riksz[/url] plan of a cell phone repair shop vixra[/url] app 2010 essay questions – Custom home work editor service for masters jrvjf 2021[/url] become a lpn essay [/b] me a resume kzuwk[/url] growth and development research paper topics gwfsw[/url] paper in management onqzk[/url] literature review writing service gb[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
http://seligerforum.ru/index.php?/topic/207032-a-visit-to-an-interesting-place-essay/page-6#entry2394232
https://pranaon.com/blogs/blog/honeycomb-protein-crepes?comment=124665102389#comments
https://yrityspalvelupaju.fi/dsc20050315_145007_132-2/#comment-37131
Where to put references available upon request resume
become a lpn essay [/b] sample for customer service officer xwqqz[/url] online resume search malaysia eeowt[/url] letter editing service arunu[/url] phd essay writing site for college rsqdb[/url] boone book report efccj[/url] writer website online[/url]Popular critical thinking writers website for college
Sox consultant resume