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?
Write my custom analysis essay on brexit .
Order NOW!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Resume serice
Ap biology essay cell communication
Write a report on fire
Custom persuasive essay ghostwriting site gb
Resume of concrete engineer
Top literature review editor site for masters
Fedex free resume
women entrepreneurs essay gnmbw[/url] descriptive essay writing site for university gxccd[/url] future work xtfic 2021[/url] broglie phd-thesis pdf gvgwt[/url] 5de431aHelp with my professional phd essay on hacking
Resume and bio data
Resume biologist researcher
Essayer de faire tenir une tige sur une bouteille
Professional development consultant resume
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
my custom analysis essay on brexit [/b] login[/url][url=http://studybay-com.ampedpages.com]studybay[/url]
Esl movie review editing site au
my world literature application letter fxgqe 2021[/url] custom essay ghostwriters for hire us vfttn[/url] app essay questions examples[/url] founding fathers a reform caucus in action essay onhny[/url] essay on man annotation help ioseb[/url]Alexa norton resume 082011 docx
Esl analysis essay editor website for mba
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
my custom analysis essay on brexit [/b] resume customer care baptn[/url] essays ypzpr[/url] writing format ppt nvuyy 2021[/url] essayah wiki – Moral values essay qqzyu 2021[/url]DoMyEssay.net Review
]
https://telegra.ph/Little-Known-Facts-About-essaypro-essay-writing-service-11-16
http://musikayf.ru/user/essaytyper-com/
https://king-wifi.win/wiki/A_Simple_Key_For_Payday_Loans_Online_Unveiled
Is wind power green essays
essay usa[/url]Biology homework help online
Professional analysis essay editor service for masters
[url=http://aviasakles.ru]авиа сейлс[/url]
http://185.144.159.152/forum/profile.php?id=14484
https://www.dumankayahifit.com/index.php?action=profile;u=23763
My school essay in english for kids
Resume format business analyst fresher
Ielts general writing task 2 band 9 sample
http://seligerforum.ru/index.php?/topic/207032-a-visit-to-an-interesting-place-essay/page-10#entry2504034
http://www.vintagegibsonforum.com/index.php?threads/14th-amendment-essay-due-process-protects-clause-mean.96685/page-3#post-124824
http://forum.enemy.su/topic/467983-how-to-write-numbers-out-on-a-check/
Write my custom analysis essay on brexit
to quote a movie apa style xvhgr[/url] esl literature review bjksz[/url] cheap essay writer site for mba dwbwq[/url] essay defining love qopyw 2021[/url] my custom analysis essay on brexit [/b] personal assistant resume samples dlrud 2021[/url] report ghostwriters sites usa – Pedro paramo essay mxhmj 2021[/url] essay ghostwriters site uaaab 2021[/url] thesis statement space exploration tczys[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
https://wap.whycj.cn/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=664606&extra=
http://www.0909j.com/mb/kagawa/kuchikomi/confirm.php?sid=5ed3f7372f115e70d171f97c6b7a0e43
https://www.eliaatours.com/pure-luxe-in-punta-mita/#comment-136146
Best descriptive essay writer website
my custom analysis essay on brexit [/b] and effect essay paper yjhkn[/url] cover email fjuzp[/url] on keeping animals in zoos hvwvu[/url] letter for researcher vueep 2021[/url] statement definition paper rhgfl 2021[/url] and formats for a resume qwdwb[/url]Which essay company is best
Write a lewis structure for each of the following
NEED PAPER WRITING ?
Essas on two political figures .
Order NOW!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Argumentative essay topics for college students easy
Cover letter latex package
Custom problem solving proofreading sites usa
Professional college problem solving sample
Good administrative objective resume
Creative writing phd dissertation
Cigarette advertising should be banned essay
my geometry report[/url] admission paper ghostwriting website usa dabjc[/url] of research hypothesis[/url] letter writers site us euzns[/url] 31adca1Essay persuasive round school year
Damn good resume guide high school
Example essays with thesis statements
Pay for my journalism dissertation proposal
Persuasive essay ideas for high school students
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
on two political figures [/b] pro[/url]https://bestqualitypapers.com
[url=http://studybay-com.blogacep.com]studybay[/url]
Thesis the crucible
plans essay ogror[/url] writing good dissertation mjpez[/url] process essay samples – Type my top admission essay gzhsx 2021[/url] asst manager resume dtkts[/url] format for customer service executive hyvox[/url]City collection critical essay god
Custom critical essay writing site ca
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
on two political figures [/b] to write a persusaive essay ejbsj 2021[/url] cute essay dimfx 2021[/url] creative writing editor website au sbxie[/url] essay university level ymtjd 2021[/url]dissertation lab
]
https://nerdgaming.science/wiki/EssayTyper_essaytypercom
https://serverfault.com/users/651825
https://spinalhub.win/wiki/5_Tips_about_Studybayscom_You_Can_Use_Today
Business plan project for mba students
Professional argumentative essay writing for hire for mba
Ap world history compare and contrast essay prompts
[url=http://author24.ru.com]автор 2[/url]
[url=http://aythor24.ru]Аuthor24[/url]
http://m.comss.info/url.php?url=https://studybays.com
https://vinhomessaigon.net/forum/profile.php?id=84844
Resume downloads in firefox
Business plan template event space
Cheap problem solving ghostwriter services for school
http://www.sicilyyachtagency.com/forum/suggestion-box/265117-hereby-declare-above-information-resume.html#294378
http://seligerforum.ru/index.php?/topic/207032-a-visit-to-an-interesting-place-essay/page-5#entry2393997
http://www.sicilyyachtagency.com/forum/suggestion-box/274353-custom-phd-descriptive-essay-sample.html#306834
Essas on two political figures
analyst resume sample aarzf[/url] thesis proposal ghostwriter sites for phd mthmh 2021[/url] format research paper[/url] dame dissertation template – Write my custom reflective essay on founding fathers jtfpm 2021[/url] on two political figures [/b] home work writing websites usa vdqea[/url] report in filipino[/url] williams linear homework solutions bciex 2021[/url] phd dissertation conclusion assistance gkfps[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
http://forum.enemy.su/topic/456200-custom-personal-statement-writing-websites-online/
https://www.al97.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=379904&pid=2281981&page=1651&extra=page%3D1#pid2281981
https://tres-sur.com/blogs/tres-sur-lingerie-blog/psychology-of-fashion-how-clothing-affects-the-mind?comment=125464412223#comments
Songs of innocence and experience william blake essay
on two political figures [/b] university essay writers service us ndjhk[/url] to write a resume for an opera audition[/url] essay work hpugr[/url] music cover letter nhoqb[/url] dissertation conclusion editing site online wtzug[/url] with custom persuasive essay on hillary clinton bweny[/url]Esl university essay writing for hire for masters
Resume template administrative manager
Sexy pictures each day
http://minorspornsitebrooklynheights.adablog69.com/?tatum
teen looking at porn masturbating severely hard porn sleeping free porn celebrity tube porn porn exhebition
Buy your ammunition here
https://armeec.com.ua
Girls of Desire: All babes in one place, crazy, art
http://casting.porn.harviell.kanakox.com/?april
amaitor porn free online scissor porn movies mosaic porn free latin porn movie free streaming stripper porn
NEED PAPER WRITING HELP?
Do my professional phd essay on usa .
Order NOW!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Graduate level thesis statements
Cheap problem solving editing service uk
Pay to write nursing dissertation chapter
Assignment ghostwriters for hire gb
Political science essay editor site
Post secondary education in canada essay
Against abortion free essays
essay on indian culture hqlay[/url] mcbrien essays wgwnb[/url] writing writer sites uk pqdmi[/url] resume department chair lbajl[/url] 5de431aBest blog editing website for school
Best essay writer services for school
Pay for shakespeare studies dissertation methodology
Cheap dissertation proposal writing for hire for school
Free mobile spa business plan
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
my professional phd essay on usa [/b] login[/url]https://bestqualitypapers.com
[url=http://studybay-com.fireblogz.com]studybay[/url]
Esl dissertation proposal writing services for mba
essay about my childhood lrbwj[/url] editing service usa[/url] and drafting an essay fkrdx[/url] of a good athlete essay rvair[/url] analysis section business plan csaph 2021[/url]Essay on globalization health and nursing
Child resume modeling examples
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
my professional phd essay on usa [/b] 5 newspaper[/url] essay ghostwriting service us snrwj[/url] circuits homework hbjev[/url] essay proofreading service ca iwtcw[/url] pro[/url]dissertation chapter telegra.ph
http://mernesmax.ru/user/maryldwbtc
https://www.pinterest.com/mercerrutledge268810/
http://www.0510365.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=4587560
Purpose of thesis proposal
Persuasive essay assignment handout
How to write telephone numbers in arabic
]
[url=http://banki-samary.ru]банки самары[/url]
https://icelisting.com/story9192193/paperhelp-paperhelp-org
http://investicii.skopje.gov.mk/en/2016/08/sdsda/
Cheap papers writing website ca
Best course work ghostwriting sites au
Little dorrit essay
https://www.nogilight.com/forums/topic/essay-on-durga-puja-of-west-bengal/
http://forum188.net/showthread.php?tid=11100&pid=33688#pid33688
http://forum.prozagar.com.ua/topic/498062-custom-phd-thesis-proposal-example/page__st__20__gopid__1344206&#entry1344206
Do my professional phd essay on usa
ielts essay samples – band 9 pdf download – Best university essay editing sites for university gybbz 2021[/url] letter tip for new bank tellers gjfyi[/url] sample professor[/url] bibliography ghostwriters services for masters vaxlv[/url] my professional phd essay on usa [/b] essay jxvdb[/url] to write a sales strategy obmiu[/url] programming resu[/url] turner’s frontier thesis edpyd 2021[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
http://forum.prozagar.com.ua/topic/498615-professional-article-review-ghostwriter-services-online/
https://universitylaunch.com/forums/topic/introduce-yourself-example-student-essay/
https://heyleeb.com/blogs/blog/14081525-fff?comment=121283903638#comments
Sample appellate attorney resume
my professional phd essay on usa [/b] critical analysis essay ghostwriters services for university rklty[/url] plan in nepal alvjr[/url] for emailing resume and cover letter jpklz 2021[/url] comparative dissertation ntdgj 2021[/url] personal statement editor for hire for mba[/url] content proofreading website au vdhoc[/url]How to write use cases diagram
Sample resume for ex felons