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
New hot project galleries, daily updates
menatally retarded porn sites hard bodies sex on porn tube free porn movies naked men homemade kinky porn inerracial porn black on white asshttp://teesale.allproblog.com/?melissa
Adult Sex Chat – The World’s Best Free Live Chats-Online
https://aufart.com/
NEED PAPER WRITING HELP?
Popular cover letter ghostwriter for hire ca .
Proceed to Order!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Popular critical thinking writing website online
Corporate real estate thesis
Resume services cape cod
Write a resume for online teaching
Popular resume ghostwriting website for phd
Cover letter template job
Different forms and styles of an essay
resume exam[/url] criminal law curriculum vitae gqops 2021[/url] to write speech intro[/url] out a dissertation lfkwa[/url] 10_2626Professional research proposal writer websites uk
Lean manufacturing engineer resume sample
Techniques de la dissertation philosophique
Esl definition essay editor for hire online
Avon business plan pdf
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
cover letter ghostwriter for hire ca [/b] login[/url][url=http://studybay-com.review-blogger.com]studybay[/url]
Make a homework machine
unexpected guest essay szsnb[/url] expository essay proofreading services for college – Top college article review topic okold 2021[/url] essay grid paper bllub[/url] to write nvl function in sql – Cheap research proposal editing for hire us drwro 2021[/url] editor websites gb pfoll 2021[/url]Theory paper outline
Book biography
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
cover letter ghostwriter for hire ca [/b] university essay ghostwriters service for college clnke[/url] presentation ghostwriters website for college aowmq[/url] abstract editing websites usa olezj[/url] architecture literature review gkfvc[/url] pro[/url]reynolds b peele dissertation
https://register.scotland.gov.uk/Subscribe/WidgetSignup?url=https://loansolo.co
https://www.empowher.com/users/lilacocean1
http://buymodernbaby.com/blog/2010/12/30/organizing-with-boon-inc-boon-stash-giveaway/comment-page-111/#
Persuasive research paper environmental topics
Resume writing in ct
Example of a research based paper
[url=https://onezaym.ru]займ на карту круглосуточно[/url]
[url=http://otlichnienalichnie.ru]отличные наличные брянск[/url]
http://mooviego.com/About/1486029
http://semanticlogging.net/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=essaypro.co
How to write multiply in vb6
Term paper on quality management
Huckleberry finn book report
https://www.boulderteashop.com/blogs/tea-blog/you-wont-believe-these-amazing-herbal-tea-options?comment=123243888801#comments
http://www.sicilyyachtagency.com/forum/in-neque-arcu-vulputate-vitae/268689-resume-cover-letter-samples-for-human-resources.html#298974
http://www.vintagegibsonforum.com/index.php?threads/research-paper-check-list.123489/
Popular cover letter ghostwriter for hire ca
paper ghostwriters sites for phd uomuz[/url] neural network matlab code thesis fzasw 2021[/url] block contrast essay jyuoe[/url] rubrics for essays[/url] cover letter ghostwriter for hire ca [/b] way to write a villanelle uzwuc[/url] resume for school bus driver position[/url] paper topics medical field[/url] course work writing service for university ukzqw 2021[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
https://www.cciq.com.au/news/mediareleases/mining-and-tourism-together-not-one-or-the-other/#comment-191402
https://galebernhardt.com/blogs/news/chronic-fatigue-in-athletes?comment=123264303271#comments
http://helan123.com/gallery/105?page=84#comment-80034
Resume template mac free download
cover letter ghostwriter for hire ca [/b] essay filetype pdf bgzfl[/url] cover letter ghostwriter service uk riqkg[/url] biology homework help live with no membership dbtoq[/url] dissertation methodology ghostwriter for hire[/url] a conclusion for a report – Sociology essay on social stratification ldjen 2021[/url] assistant and tutor to accompany financial and managerial accounting[/url]Stuent resume
Business professional cover letter
Free Porn Galleries – Hot Sex Pictures
http://hottestpicporncattaraugus.gigixo.com/?jazmyn
free bi porn download teen porn free online priuncess frog porn sexy hot nude porn prince eilliam porn
https://grid-x.com?rf=WbvkvAIa в компанию Grid Group
GRID GROUP. Это наилучшая Инвестиционная компания международного статуса. Ваша партнёрская ссылка https://grid-x.com?rf=WbvkvAIa
https://grid-x.com?rf=WbvkvAIa