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 ?
Dissertation high stakes testing .
Proceed to Order!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Pursuasive essay online
Top best essay writers site online
Custom masters presentation topic
Essay contest entry fee
Andrew jackson undemocratic essay
Youth worker resume
Custom resume proofreading website for college
to write an esl resume yakgx[/url] essay editor for hire uk cqkjf[/url] to write believe in different languages yvfci[/url] essay writer site qpgvd[/url] e431adcHire tupelo mississippi toyota state resume
Chemical lab technologist resume
Custom critical analysis essay writers websites for university
Cover letter for supply company
Writing from home
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
high stakes testing [/b] pro[/url][url=https://www.pinterest.com/pin/784470828838196109/]essaypro login[/url]
Natalie dessay french opera singer
to write my name in tamil in facebook ppjvg[/url] me esl persuasive essay on donald trump lvotb 2021[/url] resume writers website au bfzqp[/url] cover letter ghostwriting service for school ylbyl[/url] me popular masters essay on pokemon go bsenv[/url]Writing research methodology dissertation
Custom case study ghostwriting websites online
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
high stakes testing [/b] college essay topic tiwxp[/url] grammar writing essay[/url] academy essays – How to write my name phonetically ktndk 2021[/url] of montreal essay qpnma 2021[/url] pro[/url]dissertation lab
https://www.folkd.com/submit/zenwriting.net/fruitsoda46/considerations-to-know-about-buy-dissertation-online/
https://flipboard.com/@quailpigeon54
https://timeoftheworld.date/wiki/Details_Fiction_and_essaypro_essay_writing_service
Car sale resume sample
авиабилеты[/url]Parents are our best teachers essays
Criticism essay fresh in johnson reflection samuel
[url=http://aviabileti-deshevo.ru]поиск дешевых авиабилетов по всем авиакомпаниям[/url]
https://www.uggbootscheap.com.co/index.php?action=profile&u=8099
http://loansolocom.arwebo.com/16380232/loansolo-login-loansolo-com-login
Attract tourists essay
Email resume get im response
Ielts writing essay band 9
http://ionelnistor.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=19512&p=725948#p725948
https://kincorner.com/blogs/our-blog/our-blog?comment=123241431200#comments
http://best-regist.ru/blog/greyuschij-kabel-kakoj-vybrat
Dissertation high stakes testing
pictures to write a story ewiqk[/url] cheap dissertation introduction taoqh[/url] potter and psychology essay eddjv[/url] visa cover letter huqrb[/url] high stakes testing [/b] on singing in the rain xcgxu[/url] me write custom phd essay on hillary udmng[/url] my hobby gardening hvabu 2021[/url] science technology and society bjbkv[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
http://vackelsang.se/content/bredband-fiberkabel-i-v%C3%A4ckels%C3%A5ngs-socken#comment-348978
https://flourbox.com/blogs/tidbits/1448232-handmade-is-best?comment=122190495828#comments
https://sunlifeorganics.com/blogs/news/loveyourlife?comment=123931328678#comments
Esl writer websites for phd
high stakes testing [/b] custom essay editing websites us[/url] essay questions for oedipus the king – Critical analyisis essays cpacx 2021[/url] thesis proofreading service for mba txxfe 2021[/url] esl persuasive essay on hacking ssjij[/url] resource management essay writer service ntmgw 2021[/url] course work editor sites for school – Preschool spanish teacher resume anccu 2021[/url]Windows 7 resume black screen
Tsunami essay writing
https://www.cundelatoteh.com/2023/11/video-poor-things-2023-fullmovie.html
https://gamma.app/public/Watch-Poor-Things-2023-Online-full-movie-eho837niyupufwp
https://gamma.app/public/VIDEO-The-Holdovers-2023-FullMovie-ENG-SUB-Watch-Online-On-123mov-qnvu7gjwo78xg95
https://www.cundelatoteh.com/2023/11/video-holdovers-2023-fullmovie-watch.html
https://www.cundelatoteh.com/2023/11/radical-2023-fullmovie-eng-sub-watch.html
https://gamma.app/public/ENG-SUB-Radical-2023-FullMovie-Watch-Online-On-123movies-3Pas-Stu-cr1mh6djgdlqjol
https://gamma.app/public/VIDEO-Deep-Fear-2023-FullMovie-ENG-SUB-Watch-Online-On-123movies—ex1g4nvhesy1tf4
https://www.cundelatoteh.com/2023/11/deep-fear-2023-fullmovie-eng-sub-watch.html
https://gamma.app/public/VIDEO-The-Creator-2023-FullMovie-ENG-SUB-Watch-Online-On-123movie-xsqa5i6qtt6zvds
https://www.cundelatoteh.com/2023/11/the-creator-2023-fullmovie-eng-sub.html
https://www.lambeteja.com/2023/11/expedition-unknown-season-13-episode-1.html
https://gamma.app/public/Where-To-Watch-Expedition-Unknown-Season-13-Episode-1-Full-Online-14rpmyrw66cv63c
https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/wp-content/-/en
https://telecomtv.ro/euro/
https://francathemovie.com/backup/
https://sevengardens.com.sa/site/
https://demnetafrica.org/sample-page/
https://credoadvisory.com/home-2/
https://366power.com/sample-page/
https://n-wec.org/redditvideos/
https://nextieradvisory.com/home-copy/
https://www.linkodkabitenyo.cavite.gov.ph/linkod-kabitenyo-cavite/
https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/covid/
https://nextierpower.com/
https://nextierspd.com/
https://thenextier.com/privacy-policy/
https://ebsites.com.br/teste/
https://bighousetotiny.ndlservices.com/english-subtitles-the-animal-kingdom-2023-watch-film-france/
https://marcusnovaes.com.br/english-subtitles-the-animal-kingdom-2023-watch-film-france/
https://thatsfishy.co.za/2023/11/02/english-subtitles-the-animal-kingdom-2023-watch-film-france/
https://jekyllwood.com/2023/11/02/english-subtitles-the-animal-kingdom-2023-watch-film-france/
https://dijalog.rs/2023/11/english-subtitles-the-animal-kingdom-2023-watch-film-france/
https://lolwi.org/english-subtitles-the-animal-kingdom-2023-watch-film-france/
https://www.dogezilla.io/english-subtitles-the-animal-kingdom-2023-watch-film-france/
https://www.francathemovie.com/english-subtitles-the-animal-kingdom-2023-watch-film-france/
https://hamagotchi.es/the-animal-kingdom-2023-watch-online-eng-sub/
https://novi.koms.rs/the-animal-kingdom-2023-watch-online-eng-sub/
https://spacexstats.com/the-animal-kingdom-2023-watch-online-eng-sub/
https://howtochangetheworldmovie.com/the-animal-kingdom-2023-watch-online-eng-sub/
https://www.gimmeshoes.com/the-animal-kingdom-2023-watch-online-eng-sub/
https://fiftyonefiftyone.com/the-animal-kingdom-2023-watch-online-eng-sub/
https://falainyc.com/the-animal-kingdom-2023-watch-online-eng-sub/
https://dfy.iceleraite.io/the-animal-kingdom-2023-watch-online-eng-sub/
https://tubbyapp.com/the-animal-kingdom-2023-watch-online-eng-sub/
https://www.madinovaesadv.com.br/the-animal-kingdom-2023-watch-online-eng-sub/
https://nyobain2017.com/2023/11/02/watch-the-animal-kingdom-2023-film-france-english-subtitles/
https://koms.rs/pps/review/2023/11/02/watch-the-animal-kingdom-2023-film-france-english-subtitles/
https://tripily.co/startupnet/blog/watch-the-animal-kingdom-2023-film-france-english-subtitles/
https://rickytanzaniaholidays.com/2023/11/02/watch-the-animal-kingdom-2023-film-france-english-subtitles/
https://azresilience.com/watch-the-animal-kingdom-2023-film-france-english-subtitles/
https://applicant5.crazydevexam.com/2023/11/watch-the-animal-kingdom-2023-film-france-english-subtitles/
https://familycareattampapalms.com/watch-the-animal-kingdom-2023-film-france-english-subtitles/
https://rostennis.ru/watch-the-animal-kingdom-2023-film-france-english-subtitles/
https://www.linkodkabitenyo.cavite.gov.ph/murdaugh-murders-a-southern-scandal-season-3-release-date-spoilers-cast-updates-full-where-to-watch-stream/
https://orion-eastafrica.com/murdaugh-murders-a-southern-scandal-season-3-release-date-spoilers-cast-updates-full-fullmovie-raddit-videos/
https://techmonteconsulting.co.ke/murdaugh-murders-a-southern-scandal-season-3-release-date-spoilers-cast-updates-full-stream-video-reddit/
https://howtochangetheworldmovie.com/murdaugh-murders-a-southern-scandal-season-3-release-date-spoilers-cast-updates-full-rent-buy-this-movie-on-123movies-reddit-video/
https://dfy.iceleraite.io/murdaugh-murders-a-southern-scandal-season-3-release-date-spoilers-cast-updates-full-stream-reddit-2023/
https://gamma.app/docs/Watch-Taylor-Swift-The-Eras-Tour-2023-FullMovie-Free-Online-on-12-kcidctaw47f6io8
https://gamma.app/public/Watch-Mortal-Kombat-Legends-Cage-Match-2023-FullMovie-Free-Online-1tmbf4uqlf302zx
https://gamma.app/public/Fitness-Exercise-Programs-Best-Exercise-Program-for-You-5×8ix14xtaqmuou
https://gamma.app/public/Watch-Taylor-Swift-The-Eras-Tour-2023-FullMovie-Free-Online-on-12-kcidctaw47f6io8
https://gamma.app/public/Northern-Illinois-at-Central-Michigan-NCAA-Football-Week-10-Octob-bgik1l9vb1311rr
https://gamma.app/public/Buffalo-at-Toledo-NCAA-Football-Week-10-October-31-2023-Streaming-vbik3cjczpyo2cu
https://gamma.app/public/The-Boulet-Brothers-Dragula-Season-5-Episode-1-Premiere-5p5ct81n231vbec
https://gamma.app/public/Love-Hip-Hop-Miami-Season-5-Episode-12-Watch-Online-bge7jwfkztzn4va
https://gamma.app/public/Five-Nights-at-Freddys-Movie-Watch-Online-01xrkmpiz2gtfs2
https://gamma.app/public/The-Exorcist-Believer-Watch-Full-Movie-Online-s5lg47htd4dala7
https://gamma.app/public/The-Marvels-2023-Watch-FullMovie-Online-on-123Movies-yup9p5eymwxm2se
https://gamma.app/public/Napoleon-2023-Watch-Full-Movie-Online-on-123Movies-q414mecjiklc23p
https://gamma.app/public/The-Hunger-Games-The-Ballad-of-Songbirds-Snakes-2023-Watch-Full-O-9us56kdof99gnpx
https://gamma.app/public/Watch-Once-Upon-a-Studio-2023-Full-Movie-Online-on-123Movies-2kek28jpvn7cr6z