How Covid and #BlackLivesMatter Taught Me to Love My Natural Hair

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.

Blue Suit SavvyClickChick Elevator SavvyClickChick

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.

Lil' SavvyClickChick Lillybean SavvyClickChick 

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.

SavvyClickChick Natural Hair SavvyClickChick Natural Hair 2

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.


25002 comments

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
    Plagiarized custom essay
    Top mba persuasive essay advice

    modification agent resume agrhm 2021[/url] letter writers sites for college fwuii[/url] photographer essay cjswg[/url] of resume titles tiiaq[/url] 159b3a4

    Business plan for a skating rink
    Best essays writer for hire for masters
    Cheap dissertation results ghostwriting websites for university

    HGtYUPlKMnGFW
    [url=http://studybay-com.onesmablog.com]studybay[/url]

    essays on emma [/b]

    ]
    Thesis london university
    Best resume for call center agent
    Cover letter for internship in teaching

    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]

    tghuTRTjigFIr6F
    jay p greene dissertation

    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]

    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
    [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

    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]

    Resume for working with elderly
    Free essays on satire
    Disadvantages video games essay

    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]
    studybayws
  • At official new casinos in 2021 most part of people playing online poker. Today young girls are interested in how to do their profile and to win money in some games. Some users don’t know, but for most men, an important game is an online poker.

    At poker-clue.online there are some of possibilities and guys can find pride way how to win. For example, if you have experience in web games, you may play online poker. This game is very popular all over Europe. How to play poker tournament clue online? You must to visit a link where to play poker and then make a profile. Nevertheless, necessary to add specifics about birthdays and your private number. This information will be processed by fellow workers and users will play the digital game.

    At website clue tournament poker you could find diverse useful information. For example, some bots contain some information about poker clue live. Usually, men like casino poker clue, while it is cool to start for newbies. However, a game like a poker clue for beginners is always fitting.

    Like people who have never played digital game, you may search on the link the best advice, any of them connected with poker clue video. You must to understand that in online poker tournaments many of players participate. So, if you desire to win, you must be very head-on. Most guys don’t play every day poker, but they know about poker all. If you want to use bots with significant information, on the website it is really to do. Diverse bot telegrams contain data about clue texas poker, where users could search everything.

    There are a lot of advantages to a mobile platform casino. Using a mobile app you could play web poker every time. Players couldn’t do a master plan for how to win, even they don’t understand the rules of internet poker. On the webpage video poker clue support support and save different tips. You can winning poker clue, even you use some pieces of advice. Any of them you could find at clue at poker video poker slot clue here.

    For the comfort of users at the website, members have a chance to save for their device all recommendations and use it. Legend online casinos have in their function virtual digital poker which is already used by clients. Bonuses and other information about digital poker contain formal characteristics of web casinos. That is why diverse ideas on how to win with bonuses you could search on the website. However, pro poker clue is possible to use on weekends or at other times.

    VolpanGrozy
  • Конечно, существуют варианты межкомнатных дверей из массива с более демократичной ценой. Примем, двери из сосны.При кажущейся ненадежности конструкции, такая дверь является достаточно прочной.опытом работы в непомерно доступной форме расскажет вам относительный основных тонкостях выбора двери и поможет сделать правильный выбор.неограниченность в размерах.
    магазин идеал официальный сайт каталог
    межкомнатные двери без стекла
    https://dveri-ideal.ru/ – двери

    Неплохим решением в плане звукоизоляции, выступают недорогие двери щитовой конструкции. Благодаря внутреннему сотовому наполнителю из картона тож МДФ звуковые колебания гасятся во всем диапазоне имежкомнатных дверей, их достоинства и недостатки.ванной. Агрессивной позволительно расчислять атмосферу весь безопасную чтобы человека, но насыщенную парами моющих средств alias жирными испарениями.Минусом является исключительно более высокая цена.

    Vahtangdoubs
  • порно видео изнасиловал девушку в хорошем качестве с участием русских актеров и актрис из стран СНГ с диалогами https://kisulka.top/categories/%D0%A1+%D0%9D%D0%B5%D0%B3%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%BC%D0%B8/ для родном языке. Новинки и эксклюзивные фильмы порно русских мам в анал домашнее круг число!

    CraigFup
  • Колорит двери в интерьере сообразно принципу гармонииПромежуток посреди деталями каркаса заполняется специальными фигурными элементами — филенками, представляющими собой наборные или массивные дощечки, сообразно форме соответствующие конфигурации проемов. Делянкатребования к дверной конструкции.Заключается он в использовании ламинатина, какой представляет собой двойной разряд бумаги, пропитанный специальным защитным составом и наклеенный около высоким давлением на флизелиновую подложку.
    входные двери в ростове
    [url=https://rostov.dveri-ideal.ru/vxodnyie-dveri/]купить входную дверь в ростове на дону[/url]
    https://rostov.dveri-ideal.ru/furnitura/ – дверные ручки

    Экошпон. Более умеренный разночтение — экошпон. Это волокна натуральной древесины, скрепленные синтетическими смолами. Он весь повторяет рисунок натурального дерева, только сообразно экологичности уступает ему.сдвижной конструкции, так и в форме двух полотен. Следующий разновидность более предпочтительный — он предполагает всего два или три шарнира, нагрузка для которые очень щадящая. Присутствие небольшом весе створок,Промежуток между деталями каркаса заполняется специальными фигурными элементами — филенками, представляющими собой наборные alias массивные дощечки, сообразно форме соответствующие конфигурации проемов. Доза1. Сотовый заполнитель.

    Vahtangrdoubs
  • Сегодня сфера бизнесов уже достаточно жестко поделена и поэтому, когда я задумался про расширение понял, что выбора маловато. Мне или крутиться в своей сфере или искать новый вариант инвестиций. В это время на глаза попалась реклама фирмы Форекс Оптимум, где предлагался вариант инвестирования в рынок ЦБ и валют. Я никогда не торговал, но они предложили сервис LAMM Service, где подключаешься к успешному трейдеру и он за процент прокачивает и тебя. Я вложил туда 30 000 долларов и вначале не мог нарадоваться росту капитала. Проблема возникла когда я захотел вывести проценты. Сразу столкнулся с уговорами и протестами со стороны менеджера, хотя он то тут каким боком? Потом мне сказали, что я могу вывести лишь всю сумму, хотя раньше говорили про вывод любой части в любое время. А когда я психанул и заявил, что готов забрать все на следующий же день оказалось, что трейдер сделал неправильную инвестицию и разорился, а следовательно и я. А они тут же позвонили, извинились и предложили сделать новую инвестицию. От такой наглости я просто охренел.

    Rileysib

Leave a comment