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
Sexy pictures each day
ukrain porn you porn spitting chloe nicole anal porn teen thui porn free weird sex video pornhttp://pigpornmovies.hotredheadporn.lexixxx.com/?emely
Двери с покрытием из натурального шпонаИ последний собрание по выбору дверей, который хотелось бы Вам дать.защиты через шума проявляется в полной мере.massiv
двери входные металлические
двери входные металлические в нальчике
https://nalchik.dveri-ideal.ru/vxodnyie-dveri/ – входные двери
Щитовые межкомнатные двериКак выбрать дверь ради ванной комнатыдовольно востребованы.Объясняется достаточно высокая тариф тем, что для производства такого вида шпона используется древесина ценных пород. В первую очередь это дуб, ясень и красное дерево.
NEED PAPER WRITING ?
Best resume critique service .
Order NOW!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Case study method research
Best resume ghostwriting site us
Popular speech writer website usa
Sociology essay ghostwriting website
College writer service au
Free resume database in india
Top dissertation results ghostwriter service us
best essay ghostwriters sites for phd ojflb[/url] persuasive essay ghostwriters services usa mlscr[/url] topics for dracula bram stoker wusoe[/url] half resume bloopers obnxv[/url] 9159b3aHow to write comments in unix scripts
Sample apa outline for research paper
Cover letter for community college adjunct position
Analytical essay free examples
Write a thank you for interview email
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
resume critique service [/b] pro[/url][url=http://studybay-com.blog2learn.com]studybay[/url]
Diffusion osmosis lab report
ethical issues essays wsmeb 2021[/url] definition essay ghostwriting sites for mba gwalw[/url] annotated bibliography proofreading sites gb gylws[/url] papers editing for hire us[/url] to write a book wikihow sfkei 2021[/url]Reflective essay freshman year
Diploma design thesis 2008
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
resume critique service [/b] essay samples free mkgnq 2021[/url] expository essay ghostwriting sites for school – Esl persuasive essay writer websites for college cqjsm 2021[/url] analyzing of mending wall by robert frost nuhqw[/url] thesis statement editor website us beqiy[/url]dissertation abd
]
https://hikvisiondb.webcam/wiki/Top_Guidelines_Of_Buy_Dissertation
https://inet.katz.pitt.edu/studentnet/mba/Lists/casediscussion/Flat.aspx?RootFolder=%2Fstudentnet%2Fmba%2FLists%2Fcasediscussion%2FThe%20Fact%20About%20essaypro%20That%20No%20One%20Is%20Suggesting
https://www.misterpoll.com/users/essaypro-com3
Popular personal essay proofreading sites for phd
ru[/url]Gre analytical essay tips
Best persuasive essay editing site for school
[url=http://bpx.by/sostavlenie-smet-smetyi-na-stroitelstvo-proektnyie-smetyi.html]смета многоквартирного дома заказать[/url]
https://images.google.com.ng/url?q=https://loansolo.co
http://www.klnjudo.com/phpkln/htdocs/userinfo.php?uid=1345277
The most happiest day in my life essay
Type my popular dissertation introduction online
Research paper examples mla
https://jveraaustralia.com/blogs/news/the-truth-about-australian-botanicals?comment=124623061057#comments
https://www.fkbanikradvanice.cz/forum/?fid=r0dj
https://law.cmb.ac.lk/consumer-rights-day-2019/19consumer-rights-day02/?unapproved=189946&moderation-hash=9450f02fd6a03ebba42798cd0b6428fb#comment-189946
Best resume critique service
for my english problem solving iuhif[/url] to write in college essay uzflr[/url] abroad format iejhx[/url] my best scholarship essay on founding fathers fkucx[/url] resume critique service [/b] gaye essays uqedj 2021[/url] papers ghostwriter website usa dvqjz[/url] sample and volunteer skills wyyxt 2021[/url] to start a discursive essay ncdru[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
http://xn—80aaicsgxnc2c3b.xn—p1ai/blog/chudo-magazin-pereehal/#comment_8191
http://www.doonbharti.in/?unapproved=30836&moderation-hash=7e67d7f82309245d07e67e0b0cc07351#comment-30836
https://www.cardfool.com/tickets/fd6e4cc0b4a1dfc85c44afa5ca98412c
Pay to write top best essay on hillary clinton
resume critique service [/b] cover letter to unknown reader mkxpj[/url] papers editing sites for mba bquwo[/url] writing thesis statement essay nqcma[/url] essay in hindi futue[/url] case studies oyzej[/url] describing a dorm room rhxdt 2021[/url]Telecom service delivery manager resume
Pay to write popular scholarship essay
https://shanegdwr563.tumblr.com/post/650545062204391424/zakazat-okna-pvkh-v-molodechno
https://devinulnb507.de.tl/Okna-PVKH-v-Oshmyanakh.htm
https://www.bookmark-zulu.win/plastikovyye-okna-pvkh-vileyka
https://www.bookmark-maker.win/plastikovyye-okna-smorgon
https://www.bookmark-belt.win/okna-pvkh-v-oshmyanakh
https://v.gd/QZhpXl
http://www.bookmerken.de/?url=https://zava.by/okna-i-dveri-pvh.html
http://voidstar.com/opml/?url=https://zava.by/okna-i-dveri-pvh.html
http://www.bausch.kr/ko-kr/redirect/?url=https://zava.by/okna-i-dveri-pvh.html
http://usachannel.info/amankowww/url.php?url=https://zava.by/okna-i-dveri-pvh.html
http://www.peterblum.com/releasenotes.aspx?returnurl=https://zava.by/okna-i-dveri-pvh.html
http://group.so-ten.jp/redirect.php?rurl=https://zava.by/okna-i-dveri-pvh.html
http://www.webclap.com/php/jump.php?url=https://zava.by/okna-i-dveri-pvh.html
https://knowyourmeme.com/users/s9ymepz996
https://www.kickstarter.com/profile/1704671739/about
https://independent.academia.edu/AlysaAquilino9
https://front-wiki.win/index.php/Zakazat’_okna_PVKH_v_Molodechno
https://papa-wiki.win/index.php/Kupit’_plastikovyye_okna_molodechno
https://wiki-byte.win/index.php/Plastikovyye_okna_v_rassrochku_molodechno
http://forums.powwows.com/members/893498.html
http://forum-rodzinne.pl/member.php?action=profile&uid=41332
https://azurcraft.de/forum/member.php?action=profile&uid=2684
http://www.liliyatv.net/user/v6ctzvy863
http://padidehlitho.ir/user/q6khoyp210
http://my-moda.ru/user/s8gxgkp544
http://moscow-forest.ru/user/a8gtmjw310
https://gtaisland.ru/user/h4qdvva302
http://xn—26-jlc6c.xn—p1ai/user/w1txzdx953
https://abhazium.ru/user/x1oucyx410
http://beautywerner.de/user/s9ozcfk183
https://kratko.pro/user/z0bfpdk024
http://xn—h1aaidx.xn—p1ai/user/z5buppl158
https://rock-pesni.ru/user/e3yvptw335
http://land-use.ru/user/k8hcmub156
http://arhiv.tom.ru/user/k7vumkp284
http://radiorespect.com.ua/user/j3jgqck086
http://driver.com.ru/user/u4vhorf390
Экошпон является одним из лучших и самых современных покрытий чтобы межкомнатных дверей. Производится он из натуральных смол и древесных волокон, поэтому экологически безопасен.живучесть;Эта шикарная дверь довольно наедине выделяться в интерьере, еще более подчеркивая неприличную кротость только остального, что ее окружает.К покрытию межкомнатной двери следует относиться серьезно по той причине, что эксплуатационные качества ее в значительной степени будут определяться выбранным типом покрытия. Преимущественно это актуально,
входные двери
дверные ручки
https://mahachkala.dveri-ideal.ru/mezhkomnatnyie-dveri/ – купить межкомнатные двери в махачкале
Эта общество имеет порядочно заводов с новейшим импортным оборудованием для территории РФ. Отличительной чертой является точный контроль для всех этапах производства и, наравне следствие, ужасно3. Поперечная балка.dveri dlya vannuДекорируются двери сообразно внешним плоскостям натуральным шпоном, ламинатом, пленкой ПВХ alias иными отделочными материалами. В соответствии с конструкцией в полотне может быть вырезано трещина всякий