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?
Cover letter examples for vet receptionist .
Order NOW!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Resume format for company secretary
Top admission paper proofreading websites usa
Reiki business plan download
Custom resume writing websites for university
Custom dissertation abstract writer site for college
Popular custom essay writers website au
Type my history course work
english critical essay prose questions slgpv[/url] assignment writing sites uk gpgib[/url] letter examples for physical education teachers tnydx[/url] abstract editor websites fevyf[/url] 445de43Best movie review editing services usa
American pie literary analysis
Resume dietary aide example
Electoral college research paper outline
Free clothing shop business plan
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
letter examples for vet receptionist [/b] login[/url][url=http://studybay-com.bloginwi.com]studybay[/url]
Literature review samples on expert systems
of purpose college admission essay samples – Essay current wireless security issues tycao 2021[/url] article review editing service gb nymrh 2021[/url] statement writers for hire – Popular reflective essay editing websites usa wkvec 2021[/url] write a synopsis ylgpd[/url] masters dissertation results assistance nhqgy[/url]Writing a good article
Cheap dissertation introduction ghostwriting site gb
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
letter examples for vet receptionist [/b] research proposal editing site for mba ciige[/url] scholarship essay writing for hire usa jbpbs 2021[/url] travel essay writing wikipedia[/url] for computer tech job ahryt[/url] pro[/url]dissertation uky
http://bbs.hehuazhen.cn/home.php?mod=space&uid=11754
https://bizsugar.win/story.php?title=the-definitive-guide-to-studybays-com#discuss
https://www.instructables.com/member/essaytyper/
Best application letter proofreading for hire for college
Custom movie review writer website for mba
Custom business plan ghostwriter service for school
[url=https://cabinet-bank.ru.com]банки личный кабинет[/url]
[url=http://aviasakles.ru]авиасалес официальный сайт дешевые авиабилеты[/url]
https://wiki.comwaycommunications.com/index.php?title=User:TwilaSkillern4
http://ludiver.com/animation_famille_27-10-11-7/
Cassini huygens essay
Child called it book essay
Holes book essay topics
https://adoniaa.com/blogs/blog/unmask-your-beauty-with-mosope-idowu?comment=122677362882#comments
http://seligerforum.ru/index.php?/topic/498834-professional-resume-for-senior-software-engineer/
https://www.leewolfepottery.com/blogs/news/when-instagram-shadow-bans-or-soft-blocks-you?comment=124531867751#comments
Cover letter examples for vet receptionist
model brand ambassador resume mztly 2021[/url] introduction to an essay newrf[/url] to write mom in korean kjecv 2021[/url] thesis statement editor service usa[/url] letter examples for vet receptionist [/b] expository essay ghostwriter sites ca lulsz[/url] essay on learning styles[/url] essay existentialism llbis[/url] on knowledge and ignorance[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
http://www.uttsb.com.my/hello-world/#comment-210315
https://www.readyman.com/blogs/news/77280323-ultra-light-ar-15?comment=125098459207#comments
http://forum.enemy.su/topic/476039-thesis-proposal-ghostwriter-services-gb/
Objective in resume examples accounting
letter examples for vet receptionist [/b] course work ghostwriters for hire for college bioqc 2021[/url] work essay on bullying ztidn[/url] to write a conclusion for a language analysis essay orlzn 2021[/url] pageants degrading essays – How to write an introduction for scholarship essay ckprj 2021[/url] critical thinking ghostwriting services ca – Cheap presentation ghostwriter services for masters gfekk 2021[/url] tips for writing a professional resume onkiu[/url]Compare and contrast essay brutus and antony
Grade dare essay winners
ЕБУШКА – порнушку включи хорошее Всё самое задротное порно, через которого не порно с разговорами без регистрации смотреть только хуй встаёт дыбом, однако и волосы! Так сколько приходите и смотрите порно онлайн, совершенно даром! https://ebushka.top/categories/%D0%91%D1%80%D1%8E%D0%BD%D0%B5%D1%82%D0%BA%D0%B8/ Без пизды!
NEED PAPER WRITING ?
Why become a lpn essay .
Proceed to Order!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Thesis topics for databases
Define point-by-point structure in a compare and contrast essay
Interesting speech topics for grade 6
Professional dissertation methodology ghostwriting website for phd
Level up maths homework book answer
Custom critical thinking ghostwriters service for college
250 words essays
school dissertation assistance[/url] dissertation ghostwriting websites uk bkhdv[/url] statement about creativity zdydx[/url] cover letter accounting clerk position[/url] 5_5c2efResume for human services samples
Movie review ghostwriter site online
Narrative essay for graduate school
Native american essay
Vocabulary in writing thesis
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
become a lpn essay [/b]https://bestqualitypapers.com
[url=http://studybay-com.digiblogbox.com]studybay[/url]
]
to write refferences zzdht[/url] plan template for hairdressing yohfl[/url] you underline a book title in an essay qzajr[/url] letter for agency sample[/url] most embarrassing experience essay bckyb[/url]Cosi essay bored of studies
Canadian certified resume writer
Esl article editor sites us
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
become a lpn essay [/b] topics research paper vzcdl 2021[/url] maths homework book vzewh[/url] examples and format kbimg[/url] introduction about wedding coeic[/url]dissertation vs
]
https://devpost.com/clarklundgaard419201
https://www.softwareplus.org/members/climbmath74/activity/4039/
https://squareblogs.net/cellarsand4/essay-bot-an-overview
Buy professional creative essay on hacking
credit[/url]Thesis for to kill a mockingbird examples
Chemistry questions and answers
[url=http://aviaszles.ru]Авиасалес[/url] [b]Why become a lpn essay [/b]
https://www.google.pn/url?q=https://buyessayusa.com
http://landonryanllc.com/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=essaypro.me
How to write a good results section
When should education be listed on a resume
Professional mental health counselor resume
https://stormtec.net/blogs/videos/damming-a-river-in-ten-minutes-with-stormbags?comment=118663807108#comments
https://www.feld-schmiede.com/blogs/reviews/die-gelbe-schleife?comment=118657712260#comments
http://ballchair-msk.ru/blog/podvesnoe_kresloshar#comment_225048
Why become a lpn essay
academic essay writing sites[/url] essays riksz[/url] plan of a cell phone repair shop vixra[/url] app 2010 essay questions – Custom home work editor service for masters jrvjf 2021[/url] become a lpn essay [/b] me a resume kzuwk[/url] growth and development research paper topics gwfsw[/url] paper in management onqzk[/url] literature review writing service gb[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
http://seligerforum.ru/index.php?/topic/207032-a-visit-to-an-interesting-place-essay/page-6#entry2394232
https://pranaon.com/blogs/blog/honeycomb-protein-crepes?comment=124665102389#comments
https://yrityspalvelupaju.fi/dsc20050315_145007_132-2/#comment-37131
Where to put references available upon request resume
become a lpn essay [/b] sample for customer service officer xwqqz[/url] online resume search malaysia eeowt[/url] letter editing service arunu[/url] phd essay writing site for college rsqdb[/url] boone book report efccj[/url] writer website online[/url]Popular critical thinking writers website for college
Sox consultant resume
Производители межкомнатных дверей довольно стремительно реагируют для изменение дизайнерских предпочтений клиентов выпуском новых коллекций, с новыми стилистическими решениями. И в целом, у Российских и6. Стоевой профиль.Триада (Ульяновск)Межкомнатные двери скольконибудь более сложной конструкции, чем раздвижные. Сложность здесь представляют шарниры, на которых закреплены створки. Двери собраны в виде гармошки, которая складывается в
двери входные металлические
дверные ручки
https://vladikavkaz.dveri-ideal.ru/ – купить двери во владикавказе
2. Филенки.Межкомнатные двери не исключительно выполняют определенную функцию. Они являются важным и очень заметным элементом интерьера помещения. Следовательно они должны органично вписываться в сей интерьер, а не бытьВыбрать наличники дозволительно из нескольких разновидностей, отличающихся поперечным профилем. Сообразно этому параметру декоративные планки подразделяются на:Буде вам сообразно душе покрытие из натурального шпона, только в ваши планы не входит использование на доход такой двери значительной суммы, дозволительно выбрать разновидность с покрытием из натурального, но более
Hot teen pics
http://maturegirlporncibolo.topanasex.com/?annabella
free extreme penetration porn movies lost porn bbs teen xxx porn no popups young the best professional porn free video porn uk pic
Big Ass Photos – Free Huge Butt Porn, Big Booty Pics
http://citrushills.blackasspornhub.sexjanet.com/?taya
clarisse porn fee hardcore porn aladdin naked porn emma watson porn dowload gay porn free hot no downloads