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?
Popular custom essay editing sites for masters .
Proceed to Order!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Infoplease com homework
Order algebra homework
Resume for the post of sales manager
Persuasive bullying essay
Resume facility engineer
Documentum developer resume
Cheap letter proofreading service us
phd essay writer service au zkmpr[/url] titles compare contrasting essays nlpqr[/url] thesis in guns germs and steel – Psychology research sample paper ojlsk 2021[/url] websites in apa purdue owl glblo[/url] 431adcaComputer hardware networking resume format
Christmas commercialized essay
How to start a critical analysis essay example
Essay writing skills primary school
Top phd essay writer for hire us
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
custom essay editing sites for masters [/b] pro[/url][url=http://studybay-com.full-design.com]studybay[/url]
Research proposal machine learning
analyst experience resume galyg[/url] plan pro torrent fxvrx[/url] cell phones essay mhcei[/url] the highest sat essay score gdrlf[/url] movie review ghostwriters for hire[/url]Esl cheap essay ghostwriters website for mba
Write art & architecture presentation
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
custom essay editing sites for masters [/b] instant essays on manners ytkrp[/url] dissertation results ghostwriters website for university vobiq 2021[/url] academic writing software zkggi 2021[/url] application letter samples facip[/url] pro[/url]EssaysCapital.com Review
https://visual.ly/users/boydroy48ehlcby/portfolio
http://translate.wikifab.org/index.php?title=The_5Second_Trick_For_Buy_Dissertation
http://bigapple.idv.tw/discuz/home.php?mod=space&uid=972198
Download free creative resume templates
Turn my cv into resume
Resume small telecommunications business owner
]
[url=https://onezaym.ru]займ на карту круглосуточно[/url]
http://www.thebusinessloanconnection.com/higher-gse-net-worth-minimums/
https://www.giroe.it/giro-e-incontra-roberto-salvador/?unapproved=211245&moderation-hash=7d5f51439b1c0db015aa431a43ffa0c0
Dibels homework
Cheap analysis essay editor website usa
Tips for teaching research papers
http://lindner-essen.de/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=2379946
http://forum.enemy.su/topic/468872-parts-of-an-argumentative-essay/
https://ukvoiceforum.com/forums/topic/essay-writing-service-2020/page/70/#post-58447
Popular custom essay editing sites for masters
home work editor sites for masters[/url] essay writers sites jgahm 2021[/url] bibliography editing for hire au ofdci[/url] thesis editor for hire ca lpbez[/url] custom essay editing sites for masters [/b] raven edgar allan poe literary analysis tajpm[/url] to write good timed essays awonn[/url] movie review writing websites for college aqkab 2021[/url] to structure dissertation ejeav[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
http://mercedes-club.ru/index.php?threads/amateur-pregnant-wife-tits.13414/page-46#post-206093
https://ketofarms.com/blogs/keto/cheap-keto-snacks?comment=124737650751#comments
https://www.bechocolat.com/blogs/news/chocolate-bars-willy-wonka?comment=122083377349#comments
Jack fields biography resume convention center
custom essay editing sites for masters [/b] to write a bibliography izjza[/url] verbs list for resume twmvs[/url] should be in the introduction of an argumentative essay tkjhk[/url] to write research paper qcnaf[/url] writers sydney zybqz[/url] research essay examples emtug 2021[/url]Essay writing service in usa
Cover letter admin assistant position
How many people do you know, who wish to find preparations online? Currently you can search and buy Phenylpiracetam online. Possibly, you could buy Somatex with the help of an internet shop. Digital purchases possible to do with iOs tablets or Android devices.
At epohgh.com you could like a client find some of interesting positions. Nowadays people do not have the experience, how to Buy Epoetin alfa online. All that you need – to utilize the internet and search in google useful stores. One of them is the webpage epohgh, which contains, that you could search all that you need among stimulants or nootropic agents. Nowadays at the link, you may make an order and buy Vero Epoetin. In the menu, users may choose what they want to find, there are some categories. If you want Vero Epoetin search with certain dosages, in online store it is possible to do.
Guys also do not know how to receive from Post or TNT Growth Hormone Somatropin. If you desire to buy Recormon syringes, better to do it – visit a link. However guys like to buy unusual new types of vitamins. In fact, some medical hormones you could find [url=https://epohgh.com/aranesp/]buy Aranesp[/url] here. All types of medical products contain the chemical compound. All of them have some risks. Medical products, which you have chance find on the link, do not have risks.
For example, you can buy Elcar injections and familiarize yourself with description before using them. At the moment any of Cytoflavin pills also are well known and users do not have any possibility to buy them in Berlin or Beijing. That is why the best way to find them on the web and with the post services, is really to receive them. Nowadays on the web, there is no data about Phosphocreatine, because in reference materials there is no useful information about the product. If you want to buy it or buy Nordex, you need to visit the site [url=https://epohgh.com/riboxin-injections/]Buy Riboxin injections[/url] here.
If you do not know how to use any of the medical products, for example when to drink water with Sermorelin, at the web-page you can find contacts and combined WhatsApp. Any young women need to use after childbirth human growth hormone. It suggests youth men and women in different situations with their health.
However, one of the most famous products, like Riboxin pills you also can order at the webpage. All that you want to do – combine with support at WhatsApp +79291011611 like as a buyer. On the web-page, there are different popular products, which possible to find PT-141 Bremelanotide, Epitalon AGAG, Vero Epoetin and other, Hutrope HGH, Aranesp, and others.
Nude Sex Pics, Sexy Naked Women, Hot Girls Porn
http://gaypornfresugarcreek.kanakox.com/?katerina
porn flick review big tits porn stories directory gay male porn free videos niche porn clips bizzar wife porn
NEED PAPER WRITING HELP?
Popular resume editing service us .
Order NOW!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Write me custom persuasive essay
Cover letter for hospitality hotel
Resume for a university graduate
What is an easy topic for an argumentative essay
Best research paper writing site for masters
Essay creation myth
Dissertation chapter writers sites gb
curriculum vitae writer sites us rhbqc[/url] resume retail sales[/url] resume for cook job oyhsk[/url] for unemployment topics lblix[/url] 45de431Cheap annotated bibliography writers website for university
Companies that hepl you with your thesis topic
Example of an outline for a research paper mla
World affairs ghostwriters website
Homeschool study social thesis
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
resume editing service us [/b] pro[/url]https://bestqualitypapers.com
[url=http://studybay-com.blogadvize.com]studybay[/url]
Cheap dissertation introduction ghostwriters website ca
essay expose duywc 2021[/url] for my medicine admission paper zklaz 2021[/url] to write a 7th grade book report yftyg[/url] my first cv bauij[/url] to write a vision statement examples fmklo 2021[/url]Paradigm shift research paper
Pay to do cheap reflective essay on shakespeare
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
resume editing service us [/b] research proposal writing help tliax 2021[/url] cover letter sample – Free descriptive essay the beach efjpu 2021[/url] evaluation essay ideas[/url] parent families in australia essay xbvdz 2021[/url]DarwinEssay.net Review
]
https://sportbookmark.stream/story.php?title=everything-about-essay-shark#discuss
https://bookmarking.stream/story.php?title=getting-my-essayshark-review-to-work-5#discuss
https://imoodle.win/wiki/An_Unbiased_View_of_StudyBaycom
Sample honours thesis proposal
Essay plus size models
New jersey state police essays
[url=http://aviaszles.ru]авиасалес официальный сайт дешевые авиабилеты[/url]
[url=http://aviasalkes.ru]aviasales ru[/url]
https://www.freeads-stoke.co.uk/user/profile/16137
http://ezproxy.library.uvic.ca/login?url=https://studybays.com
Secret garden essays
Online homework help india
Shopping on the internet has both advantages and disadvantages essay
http://shop.interdom-vrn.ru/blog/luchshie_tovary_po_luchshej_tsene#comment_390010
https://bitexpert.club/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=88677&p=957039#p957039
http://gangsterleague.000webhostapp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=408086
Popular resume editing service us
phones are bad for teenagers essay reqhz 2021[/url] hook before sidebars qarhu[/url] on resume alpha emvrh 2021[/url] fleurs bleues queneau[/url] resume editing service us [/b] methodology dissertation qunuv 2021[/url] to write a career goal paper ulqpf[/url] business plan czuhd[/url] scholarship essay proofreading site gb kveik[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
https://vidavegana.mx/blogs/vida-vegana/crema-batida-de-tofu?comment=124012036276#comments
https://ultimatesurvivaltips.com/blogs/wild-edibles/wild-herbs-yarrow?comment=123882012721#comments
https://savvyclick.com/blogs/savvyclick-blog/how-covid-and-blacklivesmatter-taught-me-to-love-my-natural-hair?comment=123402321981#comments
Diabetes essay examples
resume editing service us [/b] wayne gacy essays xkwup[/url] on marilyn monroe’s death vqhlj 2021[/url] plan recruitment agency free nizcy[/url] expository essay ghostwriter for hire gb ozddq[/url] science dissertations tvatt[/url] dissertation hypothesis writers websites for university gnzke 2021[/url]Tips writing great college essay
Write cheap rhetorical analysis essay on civil war
Girls of Desire: All babes in one place, crazy, art
malotek porn site search for porn in different languages free turkish teen porn tubes anime porn video sample porn star tour dates vegashttp://freeflashporn.xblognetwork.com/?tracy
Sexy photo galleries, daily updated pics
http://eloyfairiesandporn.danexxx.com/?danna
hot porn video galleries porn star directory female homemade amateur porn blowjob facial comic porn xxx cartoon porn built for comfort