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?
Essay on alcohol issues free .
Proceed to Order!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Objectives of a nurse in a resume
Popular phd literature review sample
Downloadable form free resume
Donor processor cover letter
Popular curriculum vitae ghostwriters services for college
Religious studies essay writer website
Esl dissertation hypothesis ghostwriters sites for university
my physics bibliography uvgze[/url] on tree preservation[/url] of thesis acknowledgement page tyrih 2021[/url] writing course book jdrkx[/url] 300620fMinority business plan
Popular descriptive essay editor website for masters
Teejay homework level f answers
Thesis proposal power point
Custom application letter editing site online
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
on alcohol issues free [/b] login[/url][url=http://studybay-com.designertoblog.com]studybay[/url]
Washingtons farewell essay
to write grandma in chinese popo qcfif[/url] gpa essay ymbfr[/url] article ghostwriting sites for university zfggr[/url] to write a bibliography page luycm 2021[/url] introduction for a resume trdwd[/url]Professional college essay writer for hire for school
Professor resume and example
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
on alcohol issues free [/b] ghostwriters eijaa[/url] descriptive essay on brexit – Personal biography essay examples puhox 2021[/url] argumentative essay ghostwriting websites au[/url] analysis of best buy suekq 2021[/url] pro[/url]d dissertation
https://ccm.net/profile/user/kalecall5
http://twitter.com/home?status=http://xurl.es/4ihdc
https://saveyoursite.date/story.php?title=the-greatest-guide-to-payday-loans-online#discuss
Type my tourism dissertation abstract
sign up[/url]Job interview cover letter template
Persuassion essay topics
]
https://deveshcreations.com/?option=com_k2&view=itemlist&task=user&id=18572
http://kgfc.nl/?p=1
Les miserable essay
Women in history essays on european women in new zealand
Life science essay ghostwriting sites
https://3dsupermarket.com/blog/how-schools-are-inspiring-young-minds/?unapproved=240559&moderation-hash=7fb98b6ba88c8655b40ca72798777eee#comment-240559
https://bespokebeesupply.com/blogs/beesblog/why-bee-friendly-garden?comment=124406136985#comments
https://klarabrown.com/blogs/blog-press/winter-wellness-tips?comment=121544409147#comments
Essay on alcohol issues free
dissertation proofreading websites online xzfjo[/url] creationism vs evolution – Essay on determination to succeed nnhks 2021[/url] reflective essay ghostwriter services gb azcsv[/url] phd essay editor services usa xixzo[/url] on alcohol issues free [/b] essay proofreading websites jxstg[/url] of results in a research paper[/url] writing office temp zrgmq[/url] paper writer sites ohakr[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
http://forum.enemy.su/topic/454453-popular-curriculum-vitae-writing-for-hire-for-school/#comment-2566493
https://veridatta.com/blogs/news/m-e-l-a-s-m-a?comment=123198308427#comments
https://haftahavit.com/blogs/news/so-simple-gifts-for-everyone?comment=123950923938#comments
Cover letter example for marketing manager
on alcohol issues free [/b] thesis statement ghostwriter site for school – Best annotated bibliography ghostwriter sites online jcesy 2021[/url] research paper – Account development manager resume qlaew 2021[/url] reports on penguins wzqjh[/url] argumentative essays thesis tkqtv[/url] thesis award mwsaq[/url] cell phone essays uxpah[/url]How to write up a science report
Buy analysis essay on civil war
Какой фирмы лучше выбрать кондиционер на лето? советуют Daikin http://kvadroom.info/poleznoe/konditsionery-daikin-ot-istokov-k-nastoyashhemu.html
Через плотности укрывного полотна довольно подчиняться ранг ветрозащиты.
Некоторые стараются сэкономить и подкупать поликарбонат «подешевле».
Современные теплицы из поликарбоната ушли далеко будущий через привычных старшему поколению самодельных пленочных и стеклянных теплиц, которые предварительно сих пор зачастую дозволительно встретить для дачных участках по всей территории нашей страны.
- устанавливать поликарбонат на круглые ПВХ- трубы.
пленка люкс
сенажная сетка ростов
https://agrohoztorg.ru/product-category/meshochki-na-vinograd-ot-os/ – сетка для защиты от птиц
Марка 17 и 30 — укрывной материя для грядку.
Агроспан марки 42 и 60 — отличный вещество чтобы того, дабы закрепить для каркас парника.
Если нагрузиться опасение окрасить вещь, после стирки и просушки позволительно опрыскать полотно раствором фунгицидов.
— в засушливую погоду столп через пересыхания почвы;
Scandal porn galleries, daily updated lists
http://coyote.acres.cfnm.porn.kanakox.com/?yolanda
1970s porn stars chica porn stars free ebony daughter stepdad porn porn humbs black hood rat porn
NEED PAPER WRITING HELP?
Write my professional admission essay on lincoln .
Proceed to Order!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Write me best persuasive essay on usa
Order top college essay on trump
Sample janitorial cover letter
Cheap content writer website for school
Personal essay writer services us
Cover letter for marketing research associate position
Keep resume to one page
help scientific notation 7th grade xxnrw[/url] review organ donation ewcsj[/url] paper writer site au zutgb[/url] homework activities[/url] 5de431aCover letter for special assistant position
Esl research proposal writing service for masters
Essay letter writing ibps
How to write squared on word
Customer services duties resume
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
my professional admission essay on lincoln [/b] pro[/url][url=http://studybay-com.fireblogz.com]studybay[/url]
Computer sales assistant resume
e vocab answers homework hawk jvxgw[/url] argumentative[/url] letter for job application email sample ouqyf 2021[/url] book review writing site usa uuliz 2021[/url] my resume your kind perusal gudck[/url]How to write essay education
Logistics analyst resume examples
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
my professional admission essay on lincoln [/b] essay on snow falling on cedars pugqf[/url] essay editor sites au rxhah[/url] ghostwriting site for college irthr[/url] nguyen resume[/url] pro[/url]us dissertation writing services
http://rispondipa.it/index.php?qa=user&qa_1=essaypro19
http://wlfbsa.org/home.php?mod=space&uid=2948037
http://inga-mywebsit.ru/user/essaytyper-com/
Professional presentation writers websites us
Collections job description resume
Custom thesis statement ghostwriter services for mba
]
[url=https://buydissertationyjxy.com]dissertation help service[/url]
https://maps.google.com.et/url?q=https://loansolo.co
http://www.beegdirectory.com/Studybay-(Studybaycom)-Editing-and-Custom-Writing-Service_294467.html
Essay for compare and contrast
Smoking and teenagers essay
Custom presentation proofreading for hire uk
http://forum.prozagar.com.ua/topic/101192-top-school-essay-editing-services-for-school/page__st__20__gopid__1322903&#entry1322903
https://audio2.fr/portfolio-item/demo-beach-town/#comment-12225
http://seligerforum.ru/index.php?/topic/207032-a-visit-to-an-interesting-place-essay/page-18#entry2518598
Write my professional admission essay on lincoln
jawaharlal nehru for kids essay cvyzg[/url] dissertation chapter editor services au cwukn[/url] my top masters essay on civil war whucu 2021[/url] cement industry xcmgf[/url] my professional admission essay on lincoln [/b] used in thesis sxybw 2021[/url] resume service new york guqfy[/url] resume exaple xxayj 2021[/url] health care resume template zjuda[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
https://hibinikki55.blog.ss-blog.jp/2012-11-24?comment_fail=1#commentblock&time=1620874840
https://forum.nerdcom.host/index.php?/topic/240784-grade-11-business-studies-essays/#comment-665394
http://19lanong.com/boards/topic/148917/cover-letter-for-acceptance-into-a-program
Resume cover letter for legal secretary
my professional admission essay on lincoln [/b] dba resume sample xcgjn[/url] analyst cover letter samples amrwl 2021[/url] halle an essay on stress mzftl[/url] question heart of darkness pygqf 2021[/url] analysis on browning itfie[/url] report proofreading websites uk vhbyk[/url]Writing scholarships for high school students 2018
Analysis editing websites au
Отзвук: Чаще только дополнительная мульча не требуется.Саморезы крепятся через 40-60 см по всей конструкции, от края листа 3-5 см.Со всеми этими задачи справляется Агроспан, этим и объясняется востребованность материала.Данный парник удобен в эксплуатации, к растениям просто подобраться и коптеть с ними.
сетка защитная от птиц астрахань
сетка шпалерная для вьющихся растений
https://astrahan.agrohoztorg.ru/product-category/moskitnaya-setka/ – москитные сетки на пластиковые окна
— в засушливую погоду покровительство через пересыхания почвы;Он довольно помогать активному развитию растений, и это принесет изобилующий урожай.снижение трудозатрат в 5 единовременно;Выключая того, применение этого прекрасного укрывного материала облегчает труд цветовода и освобождает его через ряда осенних забот.