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 ?
Chicago style cover page thesis .
Order NOW!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Thesis writing in uk
Apartheid essay prompts
Top movie review writers websites
How to write a fraud examination report
Stock trading business plan sample
Top speech proofreading websites for mba
Professional college critical thinking advice
resume deluxe canadian edition uquni 2021[/url] resume critique cals twtum 2021[/url] essays on piaget’s theory of cognitive development lufvp[/url] 750 words essay ubclq[/url] 445de43How to write a feature article example
Best letter ghostwriters services ca
How to write a bash shell script
Help with earth science dissertation hypothesis
Lucy calkins essay unit
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
style cover page thesis [/b][url=http://studybay-com.free-blogz.com]studybay[/url]
]
dissertation results ghostwriting site ca eomou[/url] management thesis bqqak[/url] of cicero’s essays zcgew 2021[/url] essay topics for research paper – Como hace un resume ybjgt 2021[/url] my women and gender studies thesis proposal rsrwd 2021[/url]Esl college rhetorical analysis essay sample
Research proposal editing website usa
Kids book review
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
style cover page thesis [/b] healthcare research zgatc[/url] writer services uk utyqp[/url] recycling business plan[/url] of essay a modest proposal mpiuo[/url] pro[/url]dissertation ucf
https://telegra.ph/The-Basic-Principles-Of-Buy-Essay-04-11
http://www.pearltrees.com/plotskate85
http://forum.l2-renewal.net/index.php?action=profile;area=forumprofile;u=33624
Best scannable resume template
Reflective essay editing site us
Help writing philosophy article review
[url=http://aviasalkes.ru]авиасейлс авиабилеты дешевые билеты[/url]
[url=http://aviaszles.ru]авиасалес ру[/url]
https://essaytyper-com.bladejournal.com/
https://images.google.com.hk/url?q=https://edubirdie.review
Write my anthropology application letter
Popular masters essay editing for hire au
Outline for a 5 page essay
http://kofevarka.kiev.ua/products/delonghi-caffe-venezia-esam-2200-s/#comment_402303/
https://hipnomedia.com/foro/noticias-e-informacion/professional-dissertation-results-proofreading-sites-for-masters-t516213.html
http://appdev.163.ca/dz163/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=1313940&pid=5649146&page=7&extra=#pid5649146
Chicago style cover page thesis
article editor websites xgtik[/url] research paper help vdlqg[/url] dissertation results writer websites for masters vhrtk[/url] coursework design in netlogo auecq[/url] style cover page thesis [/b] grading scale mcat jzjgo[/url] scholarship essay writing services online yngxr[/url] case studies nfghl[/url] paper cover page uuusy[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
http://wowshop.com.tw/art/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=7558&pid=726241&page=939&extra=#pid726241
http://forum.enemy.su/topic/453378-professional-cheap-essay-writing-service-online/#comment-2590812
http://19lanong.com/boards/topic/151716/scope-and-limitations-of-the-study-in-thesis
Format of resume for freshers accountant
style cover page thesis [/b] cv writing – Commercial bank business plan dqcqz 2021[/url] resume writing for hire for mba[/url] banking internship cover letter example ejtyu[/url] blog post ghostwriting for hire online wctkr 2021[/url] with custom phd essay on hillary uaxnu[/url] personal essay proofreading websites for college jmnwk[/url]Best paper editing for hire uk
Essays about the death penalty
https://gamma.app/public/Love-Island-Games-Season-1-episode-18-Full-ltl65z5rmosbweu
https://gamma.app/public/Devils-Peak-Season-1-Episode-4-Full-or2napkt74di0j4
https://gamma.app/public/Watch-Fear-the-Walking-Dead-Season-8-Episode-11-Online-ajp8xgj3txv9p2i
https://gamma.app/public/Watch-Sound-of-Freedom-2023-Full-Movie-Online-q5zfxbbtl3vv61a
https://gamma.app/public/VIDEO-Boudica-2023-FullMovie-ENG-SUB-Watch-Online-On-123movies-Sa-oea3h5zk7grj71q
https://gamma.app/public/Watch-Bottoms-2023-Full-Movie-on-123Movies-s4nvjfmy886b7zp
https://gamma.app/public/123MOVIES-Watch-Dumb-Money-Free-Online-Streaming-5fq825bltthhfq4
https://hix.ai/d/clp60ebz107uzmzybitzp90zs
https://hix.ai/d/clp60ijul02rhn5o0d4q4b1m3
https://hix.ai/d/clp60n4gd02rnn5o0o489p2u7
https://hix.ai/d/clp60r5dq0bzxopt8yisayow1
https://hix.ai/d/clp60tgaa02p1n5nzcit3893w
https://hix.ai/d/clp60vvs008c1mzy5odjty2ah
https://hix.ai/d/clp60y30m02pbn5nzszhqjq9j
https://replit.com/dumb-money-full https://replit.com/love-island-gam
https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/792293/dumb-money
https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/1024773/it-lives-inside
https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/814776/bottoms
https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/666277/past-lives
https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/753342/napoleon
https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/466420/killers-of-the-flower-moon
https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/1071215/thanksgiving
https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/937249/57-seconds
https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/807172/the-exorcist-believer
https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/762430/retribution
https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/951491/saw-x
https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/678512/sound-of-freedom
https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/930564/saltburn
https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/646389/plane
https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/787699/wonka
https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/792307/poor-things
https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/897087/freelance
https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/958182/heroic
https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/940721/godzilla-minus-one
https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/808396/god-is-a-bullet
https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/1002315/please-dont-destroy-the-treasure-of-foggy-mountain
https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/839369/may-december
https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/796185/the-three-musketeers-dartagnan
https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/1016084/blackberry
https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/621587/next-goal-wins
https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/1134754/172-days
https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/940241/97-minutes
https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/520758/chicken-run-dawn-of-the-nugget
https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/823482/dream-scenario
https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/1093485/the-white-storm-3-heaven-or-hell
https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/1145851/el-hombre-del-saco
https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/667717/deep-sea
https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/508/love-actually
https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/2756/the-abyss
https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/866346/the-retirement-plan
https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/970348/the-old-oak
https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/729854/concrete-utopia
https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/913673/nefarious
https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/840430/the-holdovers
https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/9461/enter-the-dragon
https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/1109534/the-dive
https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/1108211/lost-in-the-stars
https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/1008005/the-communion-girl
https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/915935/anatomy-of-a-fall
https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/783675/the-first-slam-dunk
https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/977013/haunting-of-the-queen-mary
https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/891699/silent-night
https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/801112/kidnapped
https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/897160/brave-citizen
https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/192/the-name-of-the-rose
https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/872976/digimon-adventure-02-the-beginning
https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/503417/she-came-to-me
https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/926599/all-fun-and-games
https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/632856/spirited
https://letterboxd.com/adbitisunda/list/sound-of-freedom-2023-full-movie-santa-fe/
https://letterboxd.com/cocolsambels/film/boudica-2023/
https://letterboxd.com/cocolsambels/list/godzilla-vs-kong-2021-full-movie/
https://letterboxd.com/adbitisunda/film/scream-2022/
https://cwr-crb.com/episodes/pernikahan-dini-episode-10-season-1/
https://cwr-crb.com/episodes/pernikahan-dini-episode-11-season-1/
https://gamma.app/public/Top-Model-Season-12-Episode-12-Full-7w7jftgq7hyyg2l
https://gamma.app/public/The-Big-Bang-Season-1-Episode-8-Full-18-November-2023-hvnp0t31p5c29h4
https://gamma.app/public/Legends-Of-Gaming-Nl-Season-8-Episode-6-Full-rvx9cn6ux3xopqs
https://gamma.app/public/Zombie-House-Flipping-Season-6-Episode-4-Full-ibj57953ybycll9
https://gamma.app/public/Watch-Sound-of-Freedom-2023-Full-Online-jjvfpqmdrg3z5lt
https://gamma.app/public/Watch-Boudica-FullMovie-on-123Movies-2023-oiong4hmmtlh8xb
https://gamma.app/public/WatchMovie-Bottoms-2023-08-25-Online-on-123Movies-Download-4nq8hcodtor5012
https://gamma.app/public/123MOVIES-Watch-Dumb-Money-Free-Online-Streaming-at-Home-v47fhhj1ze6insg
https://www.cundelatoteh.com/2023/11/video-poor-things-2023-fullmovie.html
https://gamma.app/public/Watch-Poor-Things-2023-Online-full-movie-eho837niyupufwp
https://gamma.app/public/VIDEO-The-Holdovers-2023-FullMovie-ENG-SUB-Watch-Online-On-123mov-qnvu7gjwo78xg95
https://www.cundelatoteh.com/2023/11/video-holdovers-2023-fullmovie-watch.html
https://www.cundelatoteh.com/2023/11/radical-2023-fullmovie-eng-sub-watch.html
https://gamma.app/public/ENG-SUB-Radical-2023-FullMovie-Watch-Online-On-123movies-3Pas-Stu-cr1mh6djgdlqjol
https://gamma.app/public/VIDEO-Deep-Fear-2023-FullMovie-ENG-SUB-Watch-Online-On-123movies—ex1g4nvhesy1tf4
https://www.cundelatoteh.com/2023/11/deep-fear-2023-fullmovie-eng-sub-watch.html
https://gamma.app/public/VIDEO-The-Creator-2023-FullMovie-ENG-SUB-Watch-Online-On-123movie-xsqa5i6qtt6zvds
https://www.cundelatoteh.com/2023/11/the-creator-2023-fullmovie-eng-sub.html
https://www.lambeteja.com/2023/11/expedition-unknown-season-13-episode-1.html
https://gamma.app/public/Where-To-Watch-Expedition-Unknown-Season-13-Episode-1-Full-Online-14rpmyrw66cv63c
https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/wp-content/-/en
https://telecomtv.ro/euro/
https://francathemovie.com/backup/
https://sevengardens.com.sa/site/
https://demnetafrica.org/sample-page/
https://credoadvisory.com/home-2/
https://366power.com/sample-page/
https://n-wec.org/redditvideos/
https://nextieradvisory.com/home-copy/
https://www.linkodkabitenyo.cavite.gov.ph/linkod-kabitenyo-cavite/
https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/covid/
https://nextierpower.com/
https://nextierspd.com/
https://thenextier.com/privacy-policy/
https://ebsites.com.br/teste/