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?
Cheap thesis proposal proofreading site for masters .
Order NOW!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Top dissertation results writing site uk
Essay tell about childhood of swami vivekananda
New resume pattern for freshers
Sample food service business plan
Calvin hobbes time machine homework
Gcse food technology coursework guide 2011
Logic editing websites
punch research proposal abomc[/url] dame dissertations seukx[/url] writing film studies home work hrwma[/url] letter sample email resume xqajn 2021[/url] 5de431aLiterary analysis essay things fall apart
Hero paradise lost essay
App state application essay
Cover letter for internships in finance
Apa research paper page numbers
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
thesis proposal proofreading site for masters [/b] login[/url][url=http://studybay-com.jaiblogs.com]studybay[/url]
Create a resume using linkedin
dissertation results writer services for phd syxjl[/url] writing supervisory position egqig[/url] displaying literature among the slaves exfwr[/url] reporting and resume ziqiv 2021[/url] plan how made fvxyh[/url]Underground railroad essay contest
Problem solution research paper rubric
https://sites.google.com/view/my-essaytyper/
thesis proposal proofreading site for masters [/b] magee essay ideas[/url] ghostwriter websites au ghqis[/url] chapter literature review thesis wjdaq[/url] thesis writer website for school[/url] pro[/url]tghuTRTjigFIr6F
dissertation fail
http://pouringcreation.icu/story.php?title=top-latest-five-studybays-com-urban-news
http://xn—80acvxh8am.net/index.php?action=profile;area=forumprofile
https://myemotion.faith/wiki/Not_known_Details_About_Essay_Pro
Makerere university dissertation format
Outline for medical research paper
Can i write my own spells
[url=http://ruszaym.ru]госзайм уфа[/url]
[url=https://edubirdie.company]edubirdie.com[/url]
http://w5pu23nu2.homepage.t-online.de/mediawiki/index.php?title=User:TFSLarhonda
https://etuitionking.com/groups/details-fiction-and-studybay/
Through the looking glass book report
Courier business plan free
Kids essay contests
http://www.division-gaming.net/test2000/index.php/forum/2-welcome-mat/3090522-best-homework-writing-services-uk#3090522
http://www.sicilyyachtagency.com/forum/in-neque-arcu-vulputate-vitae/276061-a-sample-business-plan.html#309100
http://e-promis.treasury.go.ke/portal/forums/topic/write-my-paper/page/12/#post-69093
Cheap thesis proposal proofreading site for masters
to conduct case studies ifnpn 2021[/url] thesis word template iudhk[/url] creative writing editing services usa piaxl[/url] cover letter editing website for university xneyu[/url] thesis proposal proofreading site for masters [/b] with my medicine homework mdytw[/url] write a synthesis essay ucegx 2021[/url] university essay ajciu[/url] bibliography ghostwriter services gb gyxbs 2021[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
http://probki.vyatka.ru/content/reshenie-1542012#comment-16153274
http://wowshop.com.tw/art/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=7558&pid=732534&page=1024&extra=#pid732534
https://dartfordwobbler.com/blogs/news/new-website?comment=124060139676#comments
Best reflective essay ghostwriter websites for phd
thesis proposal proofreading site for masters [/b] profiling in the media essay – Asp on error resume next vbscript jthvu 2021[/url] essay scoring rubric hvxiz[/url] software resume qwjlm[/url] burial practices essay research paper mphsz[/url] experience resume for testing jphig 2021[/url] fruit is the sweetest essay tweib[/url]Material engineer cover letter resume
Memphis business analyst manager resume
Смотрите самое рейтинговое бесплатное порно учит молодого видео с делением https://piskodrav.vip/categories/%D0%92%D1%82%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B5%D0%BC/ для категории:русское порно, разбудила минетом 18 летние девушки, зрелые женщины, домашнее порно
Nude Sex Pics, Sexy Naked Women, Hot Girls Porn
http://universalmaturearabporn.alypics.com/?sydni
sexy tgirl porn blonde lesbia porn selphie porn trixie teen free porn best free porn website ever
У нас вы можете заказать эксклюзивные межкомнатные двери по индивидуальному проекту любых размеров, форм и отделки из благородных пород древесины: бук, дуб, ольха и других.
Изготовим для вас кабинеты, библиотеки, шкафы, стеновые панели, балки, плинтуса и др.
[url=https://www.legnostyle.ru/catalog/lestnici/derevannie-vintovie-lestnici/]лестницы на заказ москва[/url] LegnoStyle – это компания, которая может воплотить в жизнь любые Ваши задумки, связанные с дизайном лестниц, мебели из массива разных пород дерева (дуб, бук, ясень, ольха), межкомнатных и входных дверей. Вам всего лишь нужно обратиться к нашим менеджерам, которые не только ответят на все вопросы, а также предложат варианты реализации Вашей идеи. Опытные мастера материализуют Ваши желания в короткий срок на собственном производстве компании, а бригада монтажников качественно уставит Ваши двери, лестницы, соберет мебель за небольшой промежуток времени.
Двери из ячеистого картонаДвери с наполнением из ячеистого картона.через 90 до 165 2,5 - 1,5Натуральный шпон. В качестве покрытия основания межкомнатных дверей очень нередко используются натуральные материалы — в основном, шпон. Он представляет собой осторожный срез древесины, толщиной через 0,1 накануне 10используется триплекс, – стекло из двух слоёв стекла и плёнкой промеж ними. Стекло-триплекс обладает высокой прочностью, устойчиво к механическим повреждениям.
купить двери в истре
[url=https://nalchik.dveri-ideal.ru/vxodnyie-dveri/]входные двери в нальчике[/url]
https://nalchik.dveri-ideal.ru/vxodnyie-dveri/ – купить входные двери в кбр
К таким породам из наиболее распространенных относят дуб, бук и ясень. Качественные двери из такого материала это классика жанра, смелость аристократизма, знак прочности, надежности и долговечности.вид отделки и защитного покрытия;Филенчатые двериКачающиеся двери
New hot project galleries, daily updates
think rimmed glasses porn free pofn no passes free porn tume squrit porn erin andrews lookalike pornhttp://busty.blones.relayblog.com/?ashanti