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
как собрать базы для хрумера
Вы занимаетесь продвижением сайтов? Тогда вам к нам. [url=https://goo.su/4zRx]Наша группа в телеграмме[/url]. У нас вы можете выбрать любую нужную для вашей работы базу для прогонов Xrumer и GSA, allsubmitter по разной ценовой категории.база для профилей для хрумера
[url=https://seoprofisional.ru/bazy/svezhayabazaforumov2021]база форумов для хрумера[/url]
http://bazexrumer.ru/r-link-store-00/
http://bazexrumer.ru/baza-dannykh-wordpress-sayta-skachat/
http://bazexrumer.ru/baza-wordpress-saytov-skachat/
http://bazexrumer.ru/gde-skachat-slitye-bazy-dannykh/
http://bazexrumer.ru/sayt-vizitka-wordpress-shablon-besplatno/
Hi, honeybunch!
[url=https://www.king59.net/showthread.php?tid=38971&pid=137479#pid137479]медицинская справка в детский сад[/url] Психиатр для справки в ГИБДД. Мы предлагаем вам сэкономить время, уберечь нервы, не посещать поликлиники и медцентры, а купить медицинское заключение психиатра для справки в ГИБДД у нас. Ее часто запрашивают при первом получении прав, при их продлении или восстановлении. Требуется она для того, чтобы доказать сотрудникам ГАИ, что человек адекватный, не наркоман, не алкоголик, не псих и вообще со здоровьем проблем нет.
медицинская справка для замены прав http://tanhuaba.xyz/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=841&pid=179352&page=46&extra=page%3D1#pid179352 купить справку в институт о болезни купить водительскую справку без прохождения комиссии сделать медицинскую справку http://seligerforum.ru/index.php?/topic/492203-kupit-spravku-rebenku-v-shkolu/ мед справка на водительское удостоверение купить справку для ГИБДД для замены
Sexy pictures each day
ether porn download hot teen porn japan free porn clips milk my wife porn free porn kristal summershttp://animepornvedio.xblognetwork.com/?ashlyn
Young Heaven – Naked Teens & Young Porn Pictures
http://eastliverpoolgokuhardporn.energysexy.com/?anastasia
gay bedu porn houston 500 porn samples free porn athlete hard free amateur nudist homemade porn teenie teen porn tgp
NEED ESSAY WRITING ?
Computing dissertation proposal .
Proceed to Order!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Professional home work editing sites for school
Master thesis in computer networks
Statistics question example
How to write a njhs essay
How to publish a thesis paper
Professional masters article review samples
Top phd dissertation proposal assistance
the veil essays on femininity snxax[/url] book review proofreading for hire usa ksmpj[/url] essay scoring nckib[/url] popular dissertation introduction online ewmnu 2021[/url] a10_8deCritical analysis essay editor for hire ca
Order finance dissertation methodology
Best sample of application letter
Best thesis proposal proofreading service for mba
Exemple dissertation philosophie gratuite
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
dissertation proposal [/b][url=https://myspace.com/essayprocom]essaypro[/url]
]
on physical education in school voumo[/url] resume template for teachers qpdnz[/url] essay editing websites[/url] writing college admissions essay okjlw[/url] of book report of high school kcjdz[/url]Is the best essay service
Write critical essay literature
Write a letter to al sharpton
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
dissertation proposal [/b] paper on lvmh efbmg[/url] children to do homework – Jewish war essays on jewish humor iyqvy 2021[/url] barista starbucks ybyeu 2021[/url] to write a great cv cwxtd[/url]dissertationyjx.com d dissertation
]
https://tyih-prd.utshare.utsystem.edu/psp/TYIHPRD_1/EMPLOYEE/EMPL/e/?url=https://essaypro.co
https://flipboard.com/@answerkevin02
https://techdirt.stream/story.php?title=5-simple-techniques-for-essayshark-review#discuss
Best content proofreading service au
ru[/url] [b]Computing dissertation proposal [/b]Procurement buyer resume
Essay writing help services
[url=http://obsledovanie.www.by/]специалист обследованию зданий сооружений[/url]
https://boinc.berkeley.edu/view_profile.php?userid=349891
https://allpage.in/profile/annajohnsonus
Company business plans
Custom personal essay ghostwriting for hire us
Free search resume of jobseekers
http://nvrzone.com/ru/forum/topic/3426#comment-1771537
http://tapersonage.ru/node/183#comment-517981
https://taylor-tyler.com/blogs/news/solo-trip-to-iceland?comment=122162741433#comments
Computing dissertation proposal
vonnegut essays – How to write alberta grants dpowo 2021[/url] brick book report isgjp[/url] descriptive essay writer websites for masters eaaql[/url] out your resume zaiay[/url] dissertation proposal [/b] homework myth kohn vfrft[/url] research paper luxyi[/url] acknowledgements page go thesis amnnv 2021[/url] hunger research paper mxkfv[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
http://www.sicilyyachtagency.com/forum/donec-eu-elit/251400-pay-to-get-sociology-letter.html#274374
https://mimimichelle.com/blogs/news/wedding-szn?comment=122116276399#comments
http://intersavegame.co.uk/phpBB/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=308619&p=2369724#p2369724
Help with professional cheap essay on donald trump
dissertation proposal [/b] phd school essay sample xzwph 2021[/url] j2ee java resume virginia vitae tufvj[/url] boys and girls alike essay yhphb[/url] for cheap cheap essay on lincoln[/url] masters thesis proposal examples[/url] to do accounting thesis jrvhd[/url]Popular dissertation abstract writers websites gb
Example of a lab report written in apa format