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 PAPER WRITING HELP?
Resume stanford .
Order NOW!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Process essay on how to play football
Esl university essay ghostwriters websites us
Critical analysis essay writers websites au
Cheap custom essay ghostwriting websites au
How to write a cv grad school application
Certified welder sample resume
Esl creative essay editor services au
examples maintenance technician grotu[/url] creative writing editor website for school vccmg 2021[/url] argumentative essay editor sites au dztkc[/url] assistance boston ma usrga[/url] 10_5c2e20 ebooks that teach you how to write music
Custom admission essay ghostwriters service for college
Marketing advertising resume
Classification essay drunken brawler
Sample of a good short essay
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
stanford [/b][url=http://studybay-com.timeblog.net]studybay[/url]
]
dewey online essays zmteq[/url] reference in apa lolde[/url] to put salary requirements in a cover letter fixnj[/url] writers websites for mba mblww 2021[/url] proposal editing websites usa eokmc[/url]Esl research paper writers websites for college
Professional homework writer websites gb
Lisamarie miramontes dissertation
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
stanford [/b] accounting essay ogogx[/url] sedaris collection of essays tiqku 2021[/url] for fine jewelry sales snwwr[/url] electrical maintenance engineer zdtwm 2021[/url] pro[/url]dissertation vita
http://howwevacation.com/community/index.php?qa=user&qa_1=studybay
http://arcanum.konghack.com/index.php?title=Essaypro_essayprocom
http://gematodiatrofi.hua.gr/wiki/index.php?title=EssayTyper_essaytypercom
Top creative essay on usa
loans online[/url]Pay to do best reflective essay on usa
Paper presentation websites
]
https://www.ckcomunicacion.com/web-ideal-para-mi-negocio/
https://hernandoeducationfoundation.org/forums/users/edubirdiecom/
Cheap phd blog
Do my management letter
Pay to do marketing research proposal
https://www.con-vergence.com/quote/?cf_er=_cf_process_609d2f815f40b
http://www.division-gaming.net/test2000/index.php/forum/2-welcome-mat/3049698-write-a-descriptive-essay-powerpoint#3049698
http://www.sicilyyachtagency.com/forum/donec-eu-elit/265499-best-admission-essay-ghostwriters-websites-for-mba.html#294859
Resume stanford
resume flight attendant tlegx[/url] personal statement writing site for mba yvgic[/url] resume paper walmart – Other skills resume section zoltr 2021[/url] format reference list textbook pkmlf 2021[/url] stanford [/b] essays for scholarship cnakx[/url] to write a pixel shader evidq 2021[/url] resume promoter qmimy 2021[/url] dissertation abstract writers sites usa vjufc 2021[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
https://www.sentiens.us/home-page/novus1?unapproved=20201&moderation-hash=9b067dec7662db11269da1e1e7a21c33#main#comment-20201
http://self-test.ufoproger.ru/test/default/view/19#comment-177032
http://nazarbek.asia/ru/node/11?page=7710#comment-385572
Two page resume format example
stanford [/b] annotated bibliography proofreading websites us txkqj[/url] to write a screenplay synopsis qxlls[/url] presentation proofreading websites uk umrzb[/url] code essay papers wxcnj[/url] diving essay summary – Esl thesis proposal writer sites au ofeac 2021[/url] critical thinking skills zanfc 2021[/url]Critical thinking videos
Weekly homework packets
College Girls Porn Pics
http://cfnm.porn.jacob.city.alypics.com/?kelli
busty nurses porn clip simpsons freee porn comic hot hispanic gay porn gay college reality porn cock and ball crushing tube porn
NEED PAPER WRITING ?
Esl dissertation results writer services gb .
Proceed to Order!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Popular dissertation abstract writing service usa
Research paper ghostwriters site ca
How to write a receit
Good rogerian essay topics
Reporting metrics resume
Custom cheap essay ghostwriter sites uk
Litigation associate cover letter
to do leadership dissertation results ozmmp[/url] of term paper on loyalty sjsnn[/url] lahad resume edttf[/url] research paper writing service for phd afhso[/url] 5de431aGotta write a classic
Claudius ptolemy essay
Popular research paper editing site uk
Chemistry is everywhere essay
Asus a6000 problem resume from standby
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
dissertation results writer services gb [/b]https://bestqualitypapers.com
[url=http://studybay-com.full-design.com]studybay[/url]
]
to ask when creating a resume[/url] support professional cover letter sample[/url] homework problems jooby 2021[/url] career development center resume avpvo[/url] fame and power conscience sat essay zgvpi 2021[/url]Term paper on fear
Essay references apa
Custom curriculum vitae editing for hire gb
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
dissertation results writer services gb [/b] argumentative essay editing site for masters ephvy[/url] essay autobiography xhpbq 2021[/url] dissertation conclusion writing services usa[/url] mark twain racist essay vtzcx[/url] pro[/url]dissertation fr
https://yogicentral.science/wiki/The_2Minute_Rule_for_Studybayscom
https://www.instapaper.com/p/wordchard1
https://www.topfind88.com/post/1641658/buy-dissertation-online-no-further-a-mystery
Dissertations on social media marketing
Thesis of change
Free business plan cosmetics company
]
[url=https://essaypro.me]pro essay[/url]
https://www.dhootgroup.net/?option=com_k2&view=itemlist&task=user&id=1464948
http://www.webverzeichnis-owl.de/cgi-bin/suchen.pl?suchworte=EduBirdie+(edubirdie.com)+Essay+Writing+Service
Sample business plan of an apartment
Write a recipe using pictograms
Medical secretary resume example
https://gosuccessyourself.com/forum/topic/thesis-ghostwriters-services-online/
https://sunlifeorganics.com/blogs/news/loveyourlife?comment=126166040742#comments
https://www.skylakeranch.com/blogs/recipe-blog/gardening-101-pomegranate-kier-holmes?comment=126465507439#comments
Esl dissertation results writer services gb
ideas games xedsd[/url] thesis statement editing site for phd tjzxc[/url] definition essay on donald trump[/url] dissertation chapter ghostwriter sites us pjeki[/url] dissertation results writer services gb [/b] letter for pilot omvwc[/url] business plan pdf[/url] e homework help for kids kbpcw[/url] office business plan pkwuj[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
http://forum.enemy.su/topic/452815-best-dissertation-proposal-editor-service-usa/?page=2#comment-2617400
https://4endurance.net/blogs/blog/beta-alanine-cycling-and-sore-legs?comment=124608512049#comments
https://bb-personalservice.de/de/eroeffnung-der-niederlassung-gelnhausen?page=1180#comment-59016
Best reflective essay writing sites for university
dissertation results writer services gb [/b] a rap about yourself omint 2021[/url] cell phones be allowed in class essay[/url] sensitized solar cell thesis pdf[/url] quotation research paper cmctv[/url] contractor resume xxsrn[/url] of accounting cover letter udbrr[/url]Narrative essay peer pressure
Professional resume it
Mitosis finals essay .
Order NOW!!! https://saveyoursite.win/story.php?title=getting-my-buy-dissertation-to-work#discuss
UYhjhgTDkJHVy
NEED PAPER WRITING ?
How to write a research paper on domestic violence .
Proceed to Order!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Professional curriculum vitae writer websites
Macaulay essay
Descriptive essay editing service
Esl reflective essay ghostwriting websites uk
Protestant ethic essay questions
Pay for cheap reflective essay on lincoln
Problems of farmers in india essays
letter for human resource officer pzjpa[/url] sample bus driver resume sbbfx[/url] resume template rvauo[/url] format title page[/url] 00620f1Designated driver business plan
Popular blog post proofreading for hire for university
How to write names in different languages
How to write content for a website
Popular phd essays ideas
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
to write a research paper on domestic violence [/b] login[/url]https://bestqualitypapers.com
[url=http://studybay-com.blogoscience.com]studybay[/url]
Sample self critique essay
for literature review ucesj 2021[/url] dissertation conclusion proofreading website rotkv 2021[/url] drafters resume hchpd[/url] french essay writing jjyhr[/url] samples for autocad operator hmtqo 2021[/url]Popular biography writing website us
Columbia business school essays
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
to write a research paper on domestic violence [/b] homework schedule hthdj 2021[/url] about leadership cnzxx[/url] rings hobbit book report gmydb[/url] outline of a educational resume mgbpm[/url] pro[/url]EduBirdie.com Review
https://hikvisiondb.webcam/wiki/StudyBay_Options
https://bom.to/gh2terpRUlfPr
http://d992387h.bget.ru/user/benjinqkaq
Top dissertation introduction writer service uk
loans online[/url]Write a tale
Custom dissertation introduction proofreading services for phd
]
https://de.trustpilot.com/review/papershelps.org
https://www.kopekilani.net/author/studybayscom/
Ruby bridges research paper
Resume builder 4 3
Pay to get education dissertation
http://www.doonbharti.in/?unapproved=32569&moderation-hash=66b334e9f561d1fe10468361f61bd11e#comment-32569
http://www.sicilyyachtagency.com/forum/suggestion-box/304962-popular-critical-essay-writing-service-for-masters.html#355576
https://beta.dmafb.me/en/u/1447756144/
How to write a research paper on domestic violence
medical receptionist resume[/url] research proposal writer site us[/url] to do professional critical essay on usa qfpbn[/url] blog post ghostwriter service vbkju 2021[/url] to write a research paper on domestic violence [/b] is the purpose of the three thesis key points huejd 2021[/url] me write annotated bibliography hujxw[/url] police officer resume objective aznay 2021[/url] paper app iegsc 2021[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
https://theperfectpant.com/blogs/blog/the-beginnings-of-the-perfect-pant?comment=119797678219#comments
https://www.bloklandbv.nl/bloklandbv/1-5/?unapproved=31483&moderation-hash=b140eb1e0ae11fa701935824ce94e16d#comment-31483
https://akarui-mirai.blog.ss-blog.jp/VW-Passat8-Variant-TD1-13?comment_fail=1#commentblock&time=1622874676
Rocket nozzle design thesis
to write a research paper on domestic violence [/b] cheap essay writer service gnzyf 2021[/url] with my esl creative essay on pokemon go[/url] career objective resume mlalb[/url] experience resume[/url] job resume example xqrbv[/url] and letters[/url]Pay to write popular dissertation abstract
How to get in the habit of doing homework
ic hydroxychloroquine cloroquine hydro chloroquine