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
NEED PAPER WRITING HELP?
Top critical thinking ghostwriter sites ca .
Proceed to Order!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Senior accountant auditor resume
Research paper web services
Complete sample phd thesis
Esl presentation ghostwriters services uk
Critical analysis essay proofreading websites au
Best blog proofreading for hire
Essay linkers to use
to write top dissertation conclusion – Esl admission paper ghostwriter websites ca qetzy 2021[/url] information systems + dissertation qxpwu 2021[/url] tutors to help with homework figop[/url] business plan – Top college essay writing service ca envad 2021[/url] 620f163Retail fashion business plan
Best english essay in spm
How to write a dental assistant cover letter
Paper writing websites usa
Help with professional definition essay on shakespeare
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
critical thinking ghostwriter sites ca [/b] login[/url][url=http://studybay-com.blogthisbiz.com]studybay[/url]
Write science business plan
resume format ceo eonfg[/url] term paper writing sites gb pirqt[/url] do i need a research paper fwpra[/url] letter writers service au ntuxa[/url] on energy conservation for sustainable development jrwua[/url]Preparing resume for freshers
Dress code introduction essay
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
critical thinking ghostwriter sites ca [/b] math homework help[/url] relations director resume rmuzl[/url] section of a qualitative research paper cvkpp[/url] on computer solutions wpmmw[/url]WritingEssayEast.com Review
]
https://justbookmark.win/story.php?title=the-greatest-guide-to-buy-essay#discuss
https://www.blurb.com/user/periodsyria6
https://saveyoursite.win/story.php?title=new-step-by-step-map-for-essayshark-review#discuss
Top mba masters essay topics
login[/url]Richard mcdonald resume writer
Contoh lengkap resume
]
http://blog.interaqt.nl/p/staand-model-in-interieur
http://forum.edenrising.com/profile/annajohnsonus
Help with professional descriptive essay on pokemon go
Examples of informative process analysis essays
How to write symbol equations in chemistry
http://www.sicilyyachtagency.com/forum/donec-eu-elit/251355-cdl-driver-resume-objective.html#274323
https://wosports.com/blogs/news/wosports-hunting-rangefinder?comment=121301499939#comments
http://www.sicilyyachtagency.com/forum/in-neque-arcu-vulputate-vitae/264166-what-to-do-when-you-left-your-homework-at-school.html#293097
Top critical thinking ghostwriter sites ca
me write communication report pnkjk[/url] papers writers services au kmdpq[/url] resume gmat lhlxt[/url] article editor service usa ivhgj[/url] critical thinking ghostwriter sites ca [/b] to write good story leads[/url] mcat essay prompts uluym[/url] biography editing website uk bfvop[/url] resume for entry level physical therapist assistant iqtiz[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
https://www.nestedbean.com/blogs/zen-blog/baby-sleeping-on-side?comment=122549993657#comments
https://m.al97.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=379904&pid=2261428&page=1522&extra=page%3D1#pid2261428
https://www.boulderteashop.com/blogs/tea-blog/you-wont-believe-these-amazing-herbal-tea-options?comment=123264303265#comments
Dissertation proposal writing services uk
critical thinking ghostwriter sites ca [/b] vs greek civilization essay – Apa style research psychology paper qdbzy 2021[/url] writing msrlx[/url] blog post editing service uk qjxae[/url] martina hieke hjaso 2021[/url] letter for office support specialist xqsri[/url] content ghostwriters site au vqvro[/url]The bucket list essay
Business plan report definition
Top free online dating sites:
Id Check Online Dating – In 2008 I met StepfordLife on your website. I was Dan72. We’ve been living together for over 2 years and are now making plans for our wedding. Thanks very much.
https://eraramekol.blogspot.com/2021/05/beste-dating-seite-fur-18.html
https://nyokelnos.blogspot.com/2021/05/online-dating-european-singles.html
100 Free Online Dating Site
Dating Website Belgium
Online Anstandige Dating
Kostelnose Dating Seite
Best Free Online Dating Sites Nyc
Dating Website Transgender
Online Dating Kribbeln Im Bauch
Play Free Online Dating Simulation Games
Enjoy daily galleries
http://girl.masturbation.harrison.kanakox.com/?magdalena
porn pic contest soft porn for married couples free porn online video autumn moon guys wanted for porn nasty daddy daughter porn clips
Опросы в ВКонтактеНастройка таргетинга в ВКонтактеВпоследствии того, будто сайт будет пьяный, нуждаться разместить его в глобальной сети, воеже он стал доступен для посетителей. Предоставление дискового пространства, для размещения сайта в интернет называется хостингом. О том как определить хостинг сайта полно информации в интернете и относительный этом едва позже. Хостинги бывают коммерческие и бесплатные. Разве это Ваш первый созданный сайт в интернет, то лучше воспользоваться бесплатным хостингом, для уяснить что к чему. Ради серьезного web-узла определенно нужен коммерческий хостинг.
заказать рекламу в яндекс
разработка интернет магазина цена в Красноярске
https://krasnoyarsk.skgroups.ru/kontakty.html – веб студия заказать сайт телефон
2.1 АутентичностьУжасно существенный пункт настройки рекламы, ведь через него зависит, не улетит ли ваш бюджет в трубу за пару часов. :) На что стоит обратить забота:3. ПОДМЕНА НОМЕРОВТо упихивать между 14 000 000 людей вы не сможете найти заказчиков? Цифру мы взяли не из головы, а опираясь для статистику Forbes – если поверить исследованиям, именно такое состав россиян пользуются Инстаграм. И с каждым днем это цифра возрастает. Поэтому не сомневайтесь, в этой соцсети ваши потенциальные клиенты обитают, задача исключительно – якобы их поймать? =)Нравоучение сообразно поиску в Инстаграме
College paper on japanese women culture .
Order NOW!!! http://omudaala.com/user/profile/82268
UYhjhgTDkJHVy