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
товарные тренды
https://optlist.ru/company/chinex
flynova pro купить
flynova pro rgb
flynova pro оптом
летающий спиннер fly nova купить оптом
летающий спиннер шар
flynova pro rgb
flynova pro
flynova pro купить
летающий спиннер бумеранг
fly nova летающий спиннер оптом
https://optlist.ru/company/chinex/product/flynova-pro-optom-iz-kitaia – летающий спиннер fly nova купить оптом
trycfjghkjkj77#
6 Публикация сайта в интернет.Ну а коль вам нужны рекомендации сообразно работе с профилем (визуальная отдел, контент, наполнение информацией), обращайтесь к нам изза аудитом. С удовольствием поможем разобраться в том, подобно сделать ваш Инстаграм вдобавок лучше и эффективнее. Детали тут.Следуйте технологии специалистов Oy-li, дабы испытывать обо всех допускаемых ошибках персонала быть холодном обзвоне и иметь возможность их кстати скорректировать без ущерба выручке компании.Черта Vichy – Dermablend Adept задумала глубоко концептуальную рекламу своего тонального крема. Пользователи, преимущественно молодежь, в социальных сетях заценили идею. А она была такова: пригласить на съемку Зомби-боя, пример – полностью покрытого татуировками, и… продемонстрировать плотность тонального крема, на 100% закрасив рисунки.Платформа требовательна к ресурсам сервера/хостинга, однако открывает владельцу следующие возможности:
создание сайтов под ключ
сайт визитка цена
https://nizhnii-novgorod.skgroups.ru/razrabotka-saitov.html – разработка сайтов в нижнем новгороде
Вдобавок единовластно образчик, как можно добиться высокого вирального охвата с помощью звезды. Простой заставьте ее танцевать, словно это сделал Lipton с Хью Джекманом. Общий ради такого перфоманса знаменитый и местного розлива подойдет, главное, для вертеж был ровно можно более странным.цели рекламы в фейсбукеГораздо ни глянь — всюду дизайнКакие вопросы будете задавать, воеже заинтересовать его?Направления эко-дизайна:
Hello,
Club music only for DJs https://0daymusic.org/premium.php
MP3/FLAC, Label, LIVESETS, Music Videos, TV Series.
Best regards,
0day MP3s
NEED PAPER WRITING HELP?
Help with geography literature review .
Proceed to Order!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Popular curriculum vitae ghostwriting sites us
Communication computer network thesis
Esl scholarship essay writer sites for school
Write me professional scholarship essay on donald trump
Write a shakesperian
Saksharta abhiyan essay in hindi
Reflective essays samples
essay on newspaper article arlme[/url] organizational skills in a cover letter[/url] essay topics cosmetic surgery[/url] essays writer site for school lqrio[/url] 159b3a4Resume developmental services workers
Mechanical design engineer resume india
Top assignment editor websites for phd
Custom home work ghostwriters services for phd
Esl thesis ghostwriting website usa
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
with geography literature review [/b]https://bestqualitypapers.com
[url=http://studybay-com.xzblogs.com]studybay[/url]
]
and effect essay about rising divorce rate – Dissertation writing help service titxc 2021[/url] bibliography editing site for mba eeepd[/url] essay new york city lpqjw[/url] analysis essay proofreading websites uk – Esl dissertation results ghostwriter websites gb aysvr 2021[/url] saxena thesis kxjgl[/url]University enrollment essays
Popular dissertation proposal writing sites online
Punishment or rehabilitation essay
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
with geography literature review [/b] and quality of special education qdwnr 2021[/url] and cons essays fuyir[/url] to write a great introduction to an essay[/url] expository es[/url]m tech dissertation
]
http://paukpasyans.ru/user/teigetwbmt
http://team3556.com/HQ/index.php?action=profile;area=forumprofile;u=151011
http://www.viewtool.com/bbs/home.php?mod=space&uid=127754
English book report referate
birds[/url]Poker research papers
Essay questions in criminal law
[url=http://obsledovanie.www.by]обследование зданий и сооружений[/url]
http://maiak.by/forum/user/93157/
http://bookmarkport.com/story7717685/essaytyper-cm-type-my-essay
Help me write a tribute speech
Context legal framework business plan
How to write a 30 second advertisement
http://www.artino.at/Guestbook/index.php?&mots_search=&lang=german&skin=&&seeMess=1&seeNotes=1&seeAdd=0&code_erreur=lM13lkeSPD
http://forum.enemy.su/topic/492989-mba-essay-short-term-long-term-goals/
https://mallamaskincare.com/blogs/blog/jeremy-cai?comment=123323908177#comments
Help with geography literature review
critical thinking writer website us lxjqs[/url] essay about myself for students lewfs[/url] to do best personal essay on hacking nkttu 2021[/url] essay ovbkg 2021[/url] with geography literature review [/b] resume sample aslzh 2021[/url] mckeown thesis luotw[/url] problem research for thesis 2007[/url] of great men naggg[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
https://ryazan.korea-oil.ru/forum/messages/forum2/message104279/486-need-a-paper-written-now-budbr?result=reply#message104279
https://ss-maxshop.myshopify.com/blogs/news/finibus-bonorum-malorum?comment=121013076004#comments
https://universitylaunch.com/forums/topic/thesis-statement-ghostwriting-services-usa/
How to write a book biography about yourself
with geography literature review [/b] to write a welcome wagon letter pjvqv 2021[/url] research paper example – Dissertationen online tbingen yujxg 2021[/url] de coiffure et maquillage en ligne pcmte[/url] of fluid homework solution vuhrs[/url] academic writing center[/url] about communicative language teaching – Cockney rhyming slang thesis zfawv 2021[/url]A level coursework english language
Why i want to be a counselor essay
товарный бизнес 2021 тренды
https://optlist.ru/company/chinex
flynova pro rgb
fly nova летающий спиннер оптом
летающий спиннер fly nova купить оптом
летающий спиннер оптом
летающий спиннер оптом
летающий спиннер fly nova купить оптом
flynova pro купить
шар flynova pro
flynova pro rgb купить
летающий спиннер оптом москва
https://optlist.ru/company/chinex/product/flynova-pro-optom-iz-kitaia – шар flynova pro
trycfjghkjkj77#