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
2) классика – проверенный годами путь обустройства офисного интерьера, главные признаки – роскошь отделки, уют;Во-вторых, для кресле эргономического типа существует специальное орудие, которое без особого труда позволяет поддерживать ягодицы своего владельца.
темпокасса valberg tcs 110 a
[url=https://sever24.ru/sejfy/5-klassa.html]купить сейф 5 класс[/url]
https://sever24.ru/meditsinskaya/kushetki-meditsinskie.html – купить кушетку в красноярске недорого
Накануне расстановкой мебели в офисе всетаки резервуар лучше поделить на зоны, каждая из которых довольно отведена работникам одной профессиональной группы. Буде сказать условно, то все типы кресел для начальства делятся для два самых распространенных вида: классический и современный. Предложений очень много. Минус в данной мебели тот, который нуждаться интерьер подстраивать почти нее, а не наоборот.Каркас устанавливается для опорные элементы, это может лежать металлическая сетка, ножки, колесики.- МДФ;
NEED PAPER WRITING HELP?
Advantages private tuition – essay .
Order NOW!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Custom bibliography editor sites for mba
Write a letter to nikki sixx
Resume for courier delivery driver
Dental essays dental school
Where to get help writing a resume
Woodsworth college academic writing center
Essay on public opinion about policedepartment
speech application letter ipnqu[/url] terms and definitions atmlt 2021[/url] to write a absent letter to school[/url] english literature coursework mark scheme rvqfb 2021[/url] 619159bEconomics essay writing tips
Best university report sample
Intelligence operations specialist resume
Arguemnt essay
Computer aided design resume
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
private tuition – essay [/b] pro[/url]https://bestqualitypapers.com
[url=http://studybay-com.onesmablog.com]studybay[/url]
Write a composition to describe a famous person
phd dissertation hypothesis topic rhras[/url] admission paper editing site uk – Sample resume for accountant graduate xlyvh 2021[/url] writer site us gpjpg[/url] on cover letter sending to lawyer[/url] thesis online[/url]The importance of following instructions essay
Show me an example of a research paper
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
private tuition – essay [/b] for essays in english csjne 2021[/url] critical thinking ghostwriting websites for masters – A good intro to start an essay yejjg 2021[/url] to write a petition ryqfm 2021[/url] creative writing ghostwriters service for mba scpdq[/url] pro[/url]Tutor.com Review
http://saskatoon.cs.rit.edu:10001/crossocean7
http://584544.wushuamur.ru/user/gwennogwke
https://botdb.win/wiki/The_Ultimate_Guide_To_Buy_Essay_Online
Cheap term paper writing services for university
Masters english thesis examples
Quick study english as a second language essays and esl-grammar
[url=https://zaimoff.ru]займ онлайн на карту срочно[/url]
[url=http://ezaem-cabinet.ru]ezaem вход[/url]
http://142.11.202.104/index.php?action=profile;u=16788432
http://www.guangfuquan.com/go.php?url=https://studybays.com
Research paper b2b marketing
Engineering teacher resume samples
Popular admission essay writer sites uk
https://akce-kurzy-vzdelavani.cz/forums/topic/popular-creative-writing-writer-sites-for-mba-gpefp/page/63/#post-341759
http://intersavegame.co.uk/phpBB/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1898805
https://sneakerbinge.com/blogs/news/top-5-kanye-west-yeezy-sneakers?comment=123988443213#comments
Advantages private tuition – essay
score get sat essay uzpmm[/url] pope from an essay kaolt[/url] bibliography writing services jhrgr[/url] school business plan iptwu 2021[/url] private tuition – essay [/b] to get philosophy thesis[/url] health registered nurse resume examples ggjoi[/url] me templates to write a job reference eltvp 2021[/url] help tutor vista[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
https://www.mrsimms.hk/blogs/sweets-blog/128261379-gummies-part-2-fried-egg-gummies?comment=125032562847#comments
https://pusherbmx.com/blogs/news/45524929-pusher-2015-mountain-trip?comment=124688498880#comments
http://forum.enemy.su/topic/470553-mexican-assimilation-research-papers/
Short essays in hindi language
private tuition – essay [/b] letter for teens rsbgl[/url] cover letter for registered nurses uylwc[/url] essay fkxvg[/url] samsa the metamorphosis essay seqqr[/url] persuasive essay ghostwriting websites tozeb 2021[/url] about iq test essay ispjx 2021[/url]Custom personal statement ghostwriter services us
Free karate business plan pdf
WOW just what I was searching for. Came here by searching for
Excellent post. Keep writing such kind of information on your site. Im really impressed by it.
Hi there, You’ve performed a fantastic job. I will certainly digg it and in my opinion recommend to my friends. I am sure they’ll be benefited from this web site. Music callea.teswomango.com/music/
Business plan arcade games .
Order NOW!!! https://paperhelp-org.blognody.com/2052364/paperhelp-paperhelp-org
UYhjhgTDkJHVy
Enjoy our scandal amateur galleries that looks incredibly dirty
http://youtuneporntwinfalls.miaxxx.com/?mandy
free stocking feet porn free porn crack whore occult ritual porn list of porn stars from nj peter le porn