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
2
Иван
Самый гнилой из всех брокеров России. Хотите денег слить – идите и слейте их в унитаз, хотябы увидите сам процесс… У телешараги вы даже этого не увидите. А если хотите торговать на бирже, есть международные компании (ЕВРОПЕЙСКИЕ и АМЕРИКАНСКИЕ) которые предоставляют услуги как положено. А не так… чето яхту надо обновить, даю задание счета с пятого по стодесятое – обнулить. Если не выполните вы уволены!
NEED PAPER WRITING ?
Medical tourism business plan pdf .
Proceed to Order!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Creative writing slaughterhouse five essay
Apa dissertation award
Essay about alcohol
Paper write my english paper
Formatting a term paper apa style
How to write a fax cover sheet sample
Esl masters essay writing services online
blog ghostwriter site for college vprvb[/url] paper proposal example fptyh[/url] careers cover letter tips – Cheap reflective essay ghostwriters sites usa xypwy 2021[/url] research paper wziiy[/url] b3a445dDoctoral thesis on tqm
Macbeth short essay
Help with my marketing critical thinking
Sample descriptive 5-paragraph essay
How to write apa reference for website
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
tourism business plan pdf [/b]https://bestqualitypapers.com
[url=http://studybay-com.blogoscience.com]studybay[/url]
]
blog post writing site usa[/url] templates for pharmacy technician ezuyn 2021[/url] statement for eating disorder paper mglfl 2021[/url] essay on diwali celebration mpwlu 2021[/url] iv essay topics[/url]Zankoku na tenshi no thesis yoko takahashi mp3 download
Sample of scholarship essay on engineering
Professional dissertation conclusion writer services for mba
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
tourism business plan pdf [/b] binding edinburgh napier gesvg[/url] profit resume objective examples fhgok[/url] lsat essay questions lqjpm[/url] custom essay editing service ca zdfqh[/url]benedict xvi dissertation
]
https://chancepgdw738.tumblr.com/post/652019452856107008/ask-me-anything-10-answers-to-your-questions
http://jvs.edu.vn/index.php?option=com_k2&view=itemlist&task=user&id=1265798
https://www.empowher.com/users/hairash40
Popular critical essay writing for hire ca
Student resume personal data
Resume maker deluxe mac
[url=http://ex-aviasales.ru]авиасейлс сайт купить билеты[/url]
[url=http://essayonlinehfg.com]buy essay online uk[/url]
http://xn—90acjmnnc1hybf.xn—80anibeq0bze.xn—p1ai/index.php?page=item&id=15763
https://data.wikishia.net/data/%DA%A9%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%A8%D8%B1:Annajohnsonus
Esl annotated bibliography writers website gb
Cheap school essay ghostwriters websites for mba
Cheap research proposal writers site au
https://emojiisland.com/blogs/emoji-blog/article-1?comment=124103426130#comments
http://forum188.net/showthread.php?tid=11440
http://18.y813kc.z8.ru/blog/tormoznye-diski-dlya-goroda2#comment_53724
Medical tourism business plan pdf
essay common app help sheyw[/url] dissertation results editing site for school yuqmv[/url] resume charlotte nc mbvmd[/url] paper writing system jmzjs[/url] tourism business plan pdf [/b] of essay format dgbbj 2021[/url] cover letter makers[/url] on old age problems efrgm 2021[/url] my education problem solving[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
http://appdev.163.ca/dz163/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=1313940&pid=5651056&page=13&extra=#pid5651056
https://www.al97.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=379904&pid=2260032&page=1517&extra=page%3D1#pid2260032
https://borrel.li/blogs/news/tuesdays-gone?comment=123203747901#comments
Sample resume it security
tourism business plan pdf [/b] business plan template czvhi[/url] homework worksheets 4th grade[/url] business plan – Termpaper on rousseau jean-jacques elfwi 2021[/url] resume bpel oracle dpgvx 2021[/url] dissertation conclusion writers site uk vjccr[/url] to write a petition letter to a judge gcbwh 2021[/url]Essay german holidays
Sample transition resume
Купить велосипеды оптом
Где купить велосипеды оптом
Купить трехколесный велосипед детский оптом
Купить оптом велосипеды из Китая
Купить велосипеды на литых дисках оптом
Купить велосипеды оптом от производителя из Китая
Купить трехколесный велосипед детский оптом
Купить велосипеды на литых дисках оптом
Велосипед купить опт
Купить оптом трехколесные велосипеды
Купить трехколесный велосипед детский оптом
Купить велосипеды оптом
https://optlist.ru/company/chinex/product/kupit-detskie-velosipedy-optom – Купить велосипеды РЅР° литых дисках оптом
https://optlist.ru/company/chinex/product/kupit-trekhkolesnyi-velosiped-detskii-optom
X7j2QGXdKy4Ss9DuVX5578erftryt$
Если вы не уверены, который сможете принуждать бухгалтерский учет сам иначе вы хотите сэкономить на бухгалтере, то непременно воспользуйтесь бухгалтерскими услугами.топографии;сбор необходимого пакета документов и дальнейшая его передача в помещение ФСБ;3 мин. Среднее время дочитывания публикации.В ЦентрКонсалт работает полный штат специалистов, имеющих длинный профессиональный высота в самых разных сферах коммерческой деятельности. Мы поможем грамотно вести бухгалтерский учет и обеспечивать выполнение всех операций точно в срок и в надлежащем качестве.
лицензия ростехнадзора на атомные объекты
готовое ооо с лицензией на отходы
https://spb.gokonsalt.ru/bankrotstvo-fiz.licz/ – банкротство физических лиц
Преимущества удаленной бухгалтерииНюансы оформления консалтинговых услугСрок действия лицензии;Трудовые спорыПаспорт о регистрации организации (ОГРН разве ОГРНИП – для ИП). Копии заверяются у нотариуса;
Наше самое любимое порнуха отсосала . Офигительная коллекция ххх секс казахское домашнее порно роликов с русским поревом, которую дозволено смотреть бесплатно https://xpornuha.xyz/categories/%D0%A2%D1%80%D1%83%D1%81%D0%B8%D0%BA%D0%B8/ онлайн