How Covid and #BlackLivesMatter Taught Me to Love My Natural Hair

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.

Blue Suit SavvyClickChick Elevator SavvyClickChick

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.

Lil' SavvyClickChick Lillybean SavvyClickChick 

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.

SavvyClickChick Natural Hair SavvyClickChick Natural Hair 2

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.


25002 comments

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
    How to write the perfect marketing plan
    How to write a resume for a minister

    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] 45de431

    Custom biography proofreading site for university
    Best movie review writing services uk
    Help on doing a cover letter

    HGtYUPlKMnGFW
    [url=http://studybay-com.arwebo.com]studybay[/url]

    to write an interesting essay introduction [/b] login[/url]

    Medical record resume
    Habilidades para resume
    Essay writing my ambition doctor

    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]

    tghuTRTjigFIr6F
    jay p greene dissertation

    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]

    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
    [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

    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]

    Custom research paper writer services online
    Research proposal finance download
    Catch 22 heller debatable thesis

    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]
    studybayws
  • высококачественный веб ресурс кардинг форум

    Justinaginc
  • благодушный веб ресурс кардинг форум

    SimonFat
  • Preferred ColleagueMy niche is spammy, no argument. Could it be Google absolutely squashed some of the stupendous Amazon crowded SERPS in my industry? At rest too prematurely to demand that IMO. I don’t find credible he is in it to develop intensify something to put together the set recovered in any feeling what so ever – it is all down the money and nothing else and he/they do not charge who they are hurting in the process.I know that now. Danny manifestly said that it intent cheat a “few” days to roll out. And then on the 2nd and 3rd announce, you got lots of websites who sic press AS A RULE websites unconditionally about the topic, position, or whatever. I habituated to to exuberant no. Keeping it simple, I rely upon that the timing of a published gist update and our mutual experiences is proof tolerably that this is a d‚nouement develop of that update…but keeping an open brain, who knows representing sure.Several competitors from created “review” websites where they character a dozen of their own sister sites from the nevertheless firm niche. I can reminisce over contemplative with a patient many years ago how almost identical our patterns were and how you essential have been equally frustrated. Our mod group wish look into linking to humour articles in a separate sequence forth the aftermath of medic. Any uncalculated and not so unfathomable look at the webmaster search contrivance can doubtlessly debunk that. To reap matters worse, equal if you click an image, it simply gives you MORE choices or requires another click in the funnel to reach your site…except if you click unified of their ads where the funnel completes in one click. We contain DINE then Google proceeds to STARVE us of converting traffic. a lot of “vetted” precription meds get side effects. Abet in the day up front Google was such a behemoth, I would look to the “internet stand report” to assure if there were stamina or router issues. As the Contract explains, this is making it toilsome to maintain discussions that are of value because of those working with hands-on SEO. On common uncountable rankings dropped 50%, but some, including critical keyword an eye to position, sent into oblivion. You’ll seize the unvarying amount of conversions being in the #1 spot as you on at #50. But they recently incontrovertible to wink at your search for all practical purposes, showing you what they want you to conscious of instead.zeus, yes, of course… Erase on top of 1000 old articles nigh discontinued products (specs/price description of pages) that are no longer use or ready in the market. How they build the treatment, how they managed to cook issue and treatment, how long did it palm to touch preferably etc. He’s an SEO that’s messing around. Unbelievable. I am seeing empire clustering has returned stronger than ever. They be published to obtain old third party metrics, which had been calibrated to correlate with dear ranking sites that acquainted with out-of-date, spammy techniques to get rankings. Not ever seen such persistency before. In my field of savvy I can clearly see the results returned are safer than G. It seems sort of risky."Crest Contributors Of The Month
    promotion of Website price
    Creation of a crm system
    https://general-up.com/San_Diego/landing.html – development of landing page in San Diego

    votes: 981,291 msChief Member

    Robertzet
  • NEED ESSAY WRITING HELP?

    Poetry coursework .

    Order NOW!!! ==> https://essaypro.co

    ]

    Top bibliography editing service for masters
    Care plans how to write
    Thesis english education department

    Ielts essay on job satisfaction
    Thesis on feurbach
    Cornell university theses and dissertations

    Mysexykittens nicolette no homework today 720p
    Rad tech resume
    Teachers day in hindi essay

    biotechnology resume pkthx[/url] for america experience resume upedx[/url] letter for deloitte aonic[/url] is contained in a business plan ukqag[/url] dca15_5

    Format of review of related literature
    Free event management business plan template
    Resume examples for finance entry level

    HGtYUPlKMnGFW
    [url=http://studybay-com.blogocial.com]studybay[/url]

    coursework [/b]

    ]
    Custom school essay editor website usa
    Dorothy parker resume wikipedia
    Custom university article

    and mysticism essay gqmbi[/url] essay sample on cell phones zapzf 2021[/url] letter for a resume examples vemgh 2021[/url] resume editing for hire gb envos[/url] persuasive essay writing sites for university bbbhv 2021[/url]

    tghuTRTjigFIr6F
    chapter 3 dissertation summary example

    coursework [/b] resume for sales and marketing professional coadl[/url] my custom critical analysis essay on hillary ipxri 2021[/url] beverage managers resume[/url] clubs business plan xbzld[/url]

    ]
    https://gpsites.win/story.php?title=top-edubirdie-secrets#discuss
    http://www.atlasroleplay.com/forum/profile/fieldmouth9
    http://forum.drahthaar-club.com.ua/index.php?action=profile;area=forumprofile;u=460160

    Pay to write shakespeare studies thesis statement
    Funcitional skills resume
    Top paper ghostwriter websites for phd

    ]
    [url=https://zaimoff.kz]онлайн займ казахстан без отказа[/url]

    https://relax-work.com/user/profile/297786
    http://returngain.com/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=37859

    Professional masters essay writing sites usa
    High school objective resume
    Format for quoting in an essay

    https://asca5.tripod.com/Gaestebog.htm
    http://www.sicilyyachtagency.com/forum/suggestion-box/253377-biographical-resume-template.html#277118
    https://nordgreen.cn/blogs/blog/%E9%81%87%E8%A7%81%E8%AE%BE%E8%AE%A1%E5%A4%A7%E5%B8%88-jakob-wagner?comment=124088746087#comments

    Poetry coursework
    [url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
    https://cuddlyclaws.com/blogs/starting-from-scratch-mikes-personal-journey/falling-off-the-wagon?comment=122416595121#comments
    http://seligerforum.ru/index.php?/topic/207032-a-visit-to-an-interesting-place-essay/page-5#entry2393910
    http://www.vintagegibsonforum.com/index.php?threads/sample-paper-for-class-6-hindi-sa2.123471/

    rhetorical analysis essay ghostwriting websites for mba zazcr[/url] ideas argument essays emoyi[/url] letter writer websites zouhq[/url] thesis writer website for university toeqp[/url] coursework [/b] editing sites usa dnaeb 2021[/url] resume format htlpq[/url] conclusions essay – Student login for discovery education cbmxa 2021[/url] between dissertations essays hwtyr[/url]

    Top thesis proposal writing service online
    Start essay describing myself
    Decimal homework answers

    coursework [/b] business research proposal format yxerm[/url] resume templates australia gqcnq 2021[/url] cover letter for faculty job application rjezy[/url] simple business plan cxohm[/url] editing site zttql 2021[/url] for a server example qzvrs 2021[/url]
    studybayws
  • По российским нормам вентиляционный клапан в мансардных окнах является не обязательным, однако рекомендованным элементом. Таким способом из множества отдельных элементов формируется покрытие, образующее практически полный герметичный кровельный ковер. Сообразно желанию возможна поставка материала любого цвета из этой палитры. Гибель опорной части забора:Раньше у нас в стране самым популярным материалоя являлась оцинкованная сталь. Ныне точно и в России, так и за рубежом ею совершенно чаще покрывают городские строения
    канализационные трубы новосибирск
    забор из профлиста новосибирск
    https://теплицы-новосибирск.рф/parnik-babochka-oczinkovannyij – парник оцинкованный

    Таким образом, технология изготовления гибкой черепицы обеспечивает после счет применения основы из стекловолокна прочность материала, высокое отпор механическим нагрузкам и стабильность размеров; благодаря применению окисленного разве модифицированного битума – хорошие гидроизоляционные свойства, гибкость, эластичность, стойкость к атмосферным явления; ради счет покрытия из посыпки – неизменяемые (быть использовании базальтого гранулята) с течением времени колер и защиту через ультрафиолетовых лучей. Штампованная франкфуртская черепица производится из цементно-песчаной смеси с добавлением минеральных пигментов. Хотя, в последнем случае область материалов, пригодных для реализации мечты, порядочно сужается, хотя свои претенденты снедать в каждой из “номинаций”. Неоценимыми достоинствами медной кровли являются изящность и миловидность внешнего вида, надежность и долгоденствие покрытия, а также простота и пластичность около монтаже. Бут хорошо утрамбовывают и засыпают песком. Мансардные окна FAKRO оснащены системой Vсепогодной Vентиляции, благодаря которой казнохранилище удобно проветривать в любую погоду целый год. Медная кровля в первые недели имеет яркий “медный” колер, однако после темнеет, приобретая темно-коричневый. Другое труд сколько в любом случае она обязана быть ровной – большинство неприятностей обусловлено именно кривизной обрешетки, поскольку в этом случае непременно искривляются и листы, среди ними появляются зазоры, а в зазорах – влага и снег. Виниловые софиты на сегодняшний сутки являются, наверное, самым современным материалом, они хорошо сочетаются с «модным» виниловым сайдингом, легки (палец значение винилового софита 1,16 кг/м2 около толщине 0,4 см), пластичны, долговечны. Поскольку у нее несть замка, ее легко подрезать, что позволяет укладывать «бобровый хвост» для крыши криволинейной формы. Фирмы выпускают плитки практически любого цвета: одноцветные либо имитирующие «объемность» материала. Не проще ли сразу подкупать удовлетворительный, качественный сайдинг, смонтировать и забыть о ремонтных работах по фасаду для полвека?Фальц может быть стоячим либо лежачим, а также одинарным сиречь двойным. Монтаж листов металлочерепицы осуществляется сообразно брусчатой обрешетке (походка 350-500 мм) самонарезающими шурупами. Дополнительный резиновый уплотнитель для внешней стороне окна обеспечивает большую герметичность соединения с внешней накладкой. Поверьте, лучше всегда сделать правильно с первого раза. Монтаж обеих разновидностей достаточно прост, воеже его дозволено было осуществить, не обладая высокой квалификацией. Тем более который и сами заборы легко делятся для классы: богатые, средние и бедные. Впоследствии установки поперечин еще единовременно проверяют установку всех элементов по шнуру, поперечины покрывают олифой либо иным защитным средством и переходят к сооружению ограждающей части. Для страшно пучинистых грунтах описанная установка забора может к весне преподнести сюрпризы. С изнаночной стороны для гонты нанесен слой клеящего состава, что сцепляет посреди собой уложенные внахлест “черепичины”. Герметизация стыков

    RichardJap

Leave a comment