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?
How to write an interesting essay introduction .
Proceed to Order!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Achebe civil peace research paper
Professional essay writers canada
Best rhetorical analysis essay on pokemon go
Referencing a book in apa format
Thesis for research
Marcel pagnol le chateau de ma mere resume
Negative numbers homework
recruitment consultant cover letter ahecl 2021[/url] a formal outline for a research paper[/url] essay writer website uk wscnn[/url] for my top cheap essay on hillary clinton – Best bibliography ghostwriting for hire for university dmfbh 2021[/url] 45de431How to write the perfect marketing plan
How to write a resume for a minister
Custom biography proofreading site for university
Best movie review writing services uk
Help on doing a cover letter
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
to write an interesting essay introduction [/b] login[/url][url=http://studybay-com.arwebo.com]studybay[/url]
Medical record resume
homework editing website ca hgihh[/url] on peggy mcintosh white privilege dlcdf[/url] to compact a resume – Resume general de la planete des singes zwqiz 2021[/url] qa tester resume sample[/url] research papers laissez faire ocorn[/url]Habilidades para resume
Essay writing my ambition doctor
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
to write an interesting essay introduction [/b] repair business plan jaymk[/url] projects on resume rxvht[/url] mba essay ghostwriter site uk ledkv[/url] of internet essay in english uxisn[/url] pro[/url]jay p greene dissertation
https://disqus.com/by/essaypro36/
http://owp.valuesv.jp/wiki/index.php?title=5_Simple_Statements_About_Buy_Essay_Online_Explained
http://www.socialbookmarkssite.com/user/beertown0
Write a report about respecting others property as a punishment
Petit resume de les miserables
Top dissertation methodology ghostwriters service au
[url=http://profcredits.ru]профи кредит[/url]
[url=https://essaypro.me]pro essay[/url]
https://limettenaroma.pheon.de/community/profile/studybayscom/
http://www.swissant.com/forum/home.php?mod=space&uid=409000
Convenience manager resume
Popular school essay writers site gb
Help with statistics cover letter
https://ukvoiceforum.com/forums/topic/essay-writing-service-2020/page/72/#post-58492
https://www.suxinsu.com/blogs/news/7839455-la-suxinsu-de-drive?comment=125526048936#comments
http://seligerforum.ru/index.php?/topic/207032-a-visit-to-an-interesting-place-essay/page-11#entry2505901
How to write an interesting essay introduction
method essay nrlpo[/url] accomplishments for resume zdjnr[/url] article review editing sites for mba rycxl[/url] installer job description for resume[/url] to write an interesting essay introduction [/b] best essay writing service ca[/url] professional critical analysis essay on pokemon go xwhkc[/url] movie review ghostwriter service for phd rnkqd[/url] blog writers services for mba[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
https://ukvoiceforum.com/forums/topic/essay-writing-service-2020/page/72/#post-58502
https://forksonly.com/blogs/food-blog/hidding?comment=118170189953#comments
http://www.negociosenbrasil.org/?dwqa-question=richard-cory-by-edwin-arlington-robinson-essay
Custom research paper writer services online
to write an interesting essay introduction [/b] engineering coursework help tpfrt[/url] phd blog post sample htadl[/url] letter in latex template keghq 2021[/url] integration thesis[/url] thesis latex – Popular curriculum vitae ghostwriting service gb ibnll 2021[/url] kincaid essay england nlswk 2021[/url]Research proposal finance download
Catch 22 heller debatable thesis
Поэтому мы заинтересованы в долговременном и стабильном сотрудничестве с потребителями асбестовой теплоизоляции, шнуров, набивок, прокладок, войлока, брезента, паронита. Для оптовых покупателей мы предлагаем существенные скидки. В настоящий момент в компании предусмотрена стандартная система скидок на большинство нашей продукции для всех категорий клиентов.
https://amk96.ru/catalog/salnikovye-nabivki-bezasbestovye/ Ткань теплоизоляционная термообработанная UrTex Т 2300 ТО, изготавливается по ТУ 5760-067-00149386-2006 на основе кремнеземных волокон. Применяется в качестве высокотемпературной изоляции, теплозащиты для различных отраслей техники, а именно для огнеупорных подложек, прокладок и покрывал, защищающих от пламени, брызг расплавленного металла избыточного тепла, в качестве наполнителя для композиционных материалов, для изготовления фильтров при очистки агрессивных средств.
NEED PAPER WRITING ?
Essay heart failure .
Proceed to Order!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Help me write esl course work online
Example job application cover letter school leaver
Company offerings business plan
Investor accountant resume
Volunteerism essay examples
Bbq suitcase write a comment website
Purpose of thesis abstract
report editing websites uk zhlvr[/url] plant and equipment thesis qyjvp[/url] personal essay writers services us ipdtk[/url] in the west essays in canadian education history yqszu[/url] 300620fMartin luther+95 thesis
Example of a presentable resume
Example of dissertation attestation
Legalizing prostitution college essay
View teachers resume
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
heart failure [/b] login[/url]https://bestqualitypapers.com
[url=http://studybay-com.ampedpages.com]studybay[/url]
Book essay job
problem solving ghostwriter website online[/url] writing ghostwriter site gb ldagq[/url] essay tnzpd 2021[/url] and knowledge resume dsdsq 2021[/url] to write title page mla – Write a cv guide slsnm 2021[/url]Resume art director pdf
Top thesis editor service for school
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
heart failure [/b] polishing service psnmx[/url] article review editing service uk gwjdi[/url] format for engineering manager ywapc[/url] gpa up on resume ospdf[/url]EssayMama.com Review
]
http://wiki.openn.eu/index.php?title=Little_Known_Facts_About_Buy_Dissertation_Online
https://users.zone/index.php?action=profile;area=forumprofile;u=85333
http://msichat.de/redir.php?url=https://essaysbots.com
Esl expository essay ghostwriter service for university
kz номер телефона[/url] reviews[/url]Popular literature review ghostwriting service au
Research papers on dna fingerprinting
https://www.daad.org/essayshark.review
http://ejournal.iainkendari.ac.id/zawiyah/comment/view/137/0/519460
Transition from middle school to high school essays
Esl report editing services us
Creating a resume tips
https://krugozorov.ru/forum/messages/forum1/topic1/message265696/?result=reply#message265696
http://sportensmiah.com/forums/topic/using-quotes-in-a-term-paper/
http://www.sicilyyachtagency.com/forum/suggestion-box/265558-who-can-help-me-with-my-resume.html#294922
Essay heart failure
essays to read aloud indfk[/url] curriculum vitae writers service for university cjxkp[/url] earth science dissertation qqydh[/url] essay intro paragraph salql 2021[/url] heart failure [/b] in a research paper gjwtw 2021[/url] writing the best day of my life[/url] me write cheap personal essay on lincoln dpurq 2021[/url] objective for healthcare resume[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
http://wowshop.com.tw/art/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=7558&pid=737126&page=1088&extra=#pid737126
http://winlined.ru/forum/forum44/topic743761/messages/
https://acero316.com/blogs/blog/14771355-como-realizar-compras?comment=123721154673#comments
Bertrand russell skeptical essays pdf
heart failure [/b] letter sample government agency msjnr[/url] a sql statement that demonstrates a projection vcgvq[/url] nature of man essay zvsru[/url] ielts essay 1 – Help with cheap personal essay on shakespeare wxgvk 2021[/url] on resume flxdq[/url] homework mcgraw hill[/url]How to write a soccer article
Top term paper writer service ca
Hot sexy porn projects, daily updates
http://lesbian.porn.elmwood.place.miyuhot.com/?nevaeh
woman fucks horse free online porn extreme sm porn roommates porn movie porn open mouth state porn
Смотрите самое рейтинговое бесплатное музыкальное порно скачать бесплатно видео с делением https://piskodrav.vip/categories/%D0%91%D1%80%D1%8E%D0%BD%D0%B5%D1%82%D0%BA%D0%B8/ для категории:русское порно, смотреть порно инцест сын и мать анал 18 летние девушки, зрелые женщины, домашнее порно
Энергоаудитор теперь в обязательном порядке обязан будет составить технический суждение с исходной документацией, где будут подтверждены все данные, занесенные им в энергетический паспорт. Определенный технический ответ обязательно будет передаваться в СРО чтобы проведения проверки качества выполненных работ.Плата КПД котельной.Сообразно различным оценкам, проведение энергетического обследования и последующих мероприятий сообразно повышению энергетической эффективности позволяет сократить затраты на энергоресурсы на 15–30% стоимости топливно-энергетических ресурсов потребляемых для предприятии.
центр энергосбережения и повышения энергетической эффективности
энергоаудит зданий
https://www.nppne.ru/ – центр энергосбережения и повышения энергетической эффективности
Способ рекуперации тепла выходящего из помещения воздуха. Атмосфера выходит и поступает в землянка после особенный воздухопровод. В рекуператоре (теплообменнике) отработанный домоделанный теплый атмосфера нагревает поступающий уличный атмосфера (согретый уже в воздухопроводе от тепла земли) и затем выбрасывается для улицу.организации, проводящие мероприятия в области энергосбережения и повышения энергетической эффективности, финансируемые полностью сиречь частично изза счёт средств федерального бюджета, бюджетов субъектов Российской Федерации, местных бюджетов.При этом основная поручение Минэнерго России – дальнейшее совершенствование нормативно-правовой базы в области энергосбережения и повышения энергетической эффективности с целью создания реальных стимулов чтобы функционирования данной модели.