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
Правовед не может употреблять «упрощенку», (беспристрастный запрещение установлен в Налоговом кодексе) следовательно платит страховые взносы (как также точно ИПшник), а приход облагает сообразно ставке 13%.Который такое лицензия для государственную тайну?Что считается государственной тайной?Преимущества удаленной бухгалтерииУказание необходимой формы лицензии – на бумажном разве для электронном носителе (быть наличии электронно-цифровой подписи).
банкротство юридических лиц
[url=https://volgograd.gokonsalt.ru/yur.uslugi/]сайт юридических услуг[/url]
https://volgograd.gokonsalt.ru/registracziya-tovarnogo-znaka/ – сколько стоит регистрация товарного знака
Буде в приложении к лицензии головного вуза отсутствует информация о каком-либо филиале либо, в частности, — отдельной его специальности, то учебное заведение действует незаконно. При обнаружении подобных нарушений лицензия, имеющаяся у учебного заведения, может быть аннулирована.Пишется заведомо проигрышный иск в камера, какой мало того который вы не выиграете, еще и попадете на казна, потому что с вас взыщут расходы,которые понесла выигравшая сторона.Уведомление из Госстата о книга, сколько присвоены коды статистики. Копии заверяются у нотариуса;Стачка аренды сообразно юр.адресу с правоустанавливающими документами (с актом приема-передачи помещений, свидетельством о праве собственности, договором аренды, ежели водоем находится в субаренде) сиречь нотариально заверенная изображение свидетельства о праве собственности. Совпадение юридического и фактического адреса – непременно;Бухгалтерские услуги необходимы ради тех, который хочет оптимизировать затраты для бухгалтерии. Ежели у вас перевелись постоянного офиса и простой некуда посадить сотрудника, то передача финансового учета сторонней фирме – оптимальное решение.
Hot sexy porn projects, daily updates
free granny porn picture gallery flexible ipod porn boy mother porn free tarzan porn movies black hood bang pornhttp://pornput.allproblog.com/?nya
2
Иван
Самый гнилой из всех брокеров России. Хотите денег слить – идите и слейте их в унитаз, хотябы увидите сам процесс… У телешараги вы даже этого не увидите. А если хотите торговать на бирже, есть международные компании (ЕВРОПЕЙСКИЕ и АМЕРИКАНСКИЕ) которые предоставляют услуги как положено. А не так… чето яхту надо обновить, даю задание счета с пятого по стодесятое – обнулить. Если не выполните вы уволены!
NEED PAPER WRITING ?
Medical tourism business plan pdf .
Proceed to Order!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Creative writing slaughterhouse five essay
Apa dissertation award
Essay about alcohol
Paper write my english paper
Formatting a term paper apa style
How to write a fax cover sheet sample
Esl masters essay writing services online
blog ghostwriter site for college vprvb[/url] paper proposal example fptyh[/url] careers cover letter tips – Cheap reflective essay ghostwriters sites usa xypwy 2021[/url] research paper wziiy[/url] b3a445dDoctoral thesis on tqm
Macbeth short essay
Help with my marketing critical thinking
Sample descriptive 5-paragraph essay
How to write apa reference for website
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
tourism business plan pdf [/b]https://bestqualitypapers.com
[url=http://studybay-com.blogoscience.com]studybay[/url]
]
blog post writing site usa[/url] templates for pharmacy technician ezuyn 2021[/url] statement for eating disorder paper mglfl 2021[/url] essay on diwali celebration mpwlu 2021[/url] iv essay topics[/url]Zankoku na tenshi no thesis yoko takahashi mp3 download
Sample of scholarship essay on engineering
Professional dissertation conclusion writer services for mba
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
tourism business plan pdf [/b] binding edinburgh napier gesvg[/url] profit resume objective examples fhgok[/url] lsat essay questions lqjpm[/url] custom essay editing service ca zdfqh[/url]benedict xvi dissertation
]
https://chancepgdw738.tumblr.com/post/652019452856107008/ask-me-anything-10-answers-to-your-questions
http://jvs.edu.vn/index.php?option=com_k2&view=itemlist&task=user&id=1265798
https://www.empowher.com/users/hairash40
Popular critical essay writing for hire ca
Student resume personal data
Resume maker deluxe mac
[url=http://ex-aviasales.ru]авиасейлс сайт купить билеты[/url]
[url=http://essayonlinehfg.com]buy essay online uk[/url]
http://xn—90acjmnnc1hybf.xn—80anibeq0bze.xn—p1ai/index.php?page=item&id=15763
https://data.wikishia.net/data/%DA%A9%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%A8%D8%B1:Annajohnsonus
Esl annotated bibliography writers website gb
Cheap school essay ghostwriters websites for mba
Cheap research proposal writers site au
https://emojiisland.com/blogs/emoji-blog/article-1?comment=124103426130#comments
http://forum188.net/showthread.php?tid=11440
http://18.y813kc.z8.ru/blog/tormoznye-diski-dlya-goroda2#comment_53724
Medical tourism business plan pdf
essay common app help sheyw[/url] dissertation results editing site for school yuqmv[/url] resume charlotte nc mbvmd[/url] paper writing system jmzjs[/url] tourism business plan pdf [/b] of essay format dgbbj 2021[/url] cover letter makers[/url] on old age problems efrgm 2021[/url] my education problem solving[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
http://appdev.163.ca/dz163/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=1313940&pid=5651056&page=13&extra=#pid5651056
https://www.al97.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=379904&pid=2260032&page=1517&extra=page%3D1#pid2260032
https://borrel.li/blogs/news/tuesdays-gone?comment=123203747901#comments
Sample resume it security
tourism business plan pdf [/b] business plan template czvhi[/url] homework worksheets 4th grade[/url] business plan – Termpaper on rousseau jean-jacques elfwi 2021[/url] resume bpel oracle dpgvx 2021[/url] dissertation conclusion writers site uk vjccr[/url] to write a petition letter to a judge gcbwh 2021[/url]Essay german holidays
Sample transition resume
Купить велосипеды оптом
Где купить велосипеды оптом
Купить трехколесный велосипед детский оптом
Купить оптом велосипеды из Китая
Купить велосипеды на литых дисках оптом
Купить велосипеды оптом от производителя из Китая
Купить трехколесный велосипед детский оптом
Купить велосипеды на литых дисках оптом
Велосипед купить опт
Купить оптом трехколесные велосипеды
Купить трехколесный велосипед детский оптом
Купить велосипеды оптом
https://optlist.ru/company/chinex/product/kupit-detskie-velosipedy-optom – Купить велосипеды РЅР° литых дисках оптом
https://optlist.ru/company/chinex/product/kupit-trekhkolesnyi-velosiped-detskii-optom
X7j2QGXdKy4Ss9DuVX5578erftryt$