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
https://zeno.fm/radio/free-avatar-2-the-way-of-water-2022-fullmovie-online-free-on-123movies/
https://zeno.fm/radio/123movies-watch-avatar-2-the-way-of-water-free-online-on-123movies/
https://zeno.fm/radio/free-avatar-2-the-way-of-water-fullmovie-online-free-on-123movies/
https://zeno.fm/radio/123movies-avatar-2-the-way-of-water-online-on-123movies/
https://zeno.fm/radio/123movies-watch-avatar-2-the-way-of-water-2022-free-online/
https://zeno.fm/radio/123movies-avatar-2-the-way-of-water-free-online-on-123movies/
https://zeno.fm/radio/123movies-watch-avatar-2-the-way-of-water-2022-free-streaming-online/
https://zeno.fm/radio/avatar-2-the-way-of-water-2022-movie-download-480p-720p-1080p-eng/
https://zeno.fm/radio/free-i-wanna-dance-with-somebody-2022-fullmovie-online-free-on-123movies/
https://zeno.fm/radio/123movies-watch-i-wanna-dance-with-somebody-free-online-on-123movies/
https://zeno.fm/radio/free-i-wanna-dance-with-somebody-fullmovie-online-free-on-123movies/
https://zeno.fm/radio/123movies-i-wanna-dance-with-somebody-online-on-123movies/
https://zeno.fm/radio/123movies-watch-i-wanna-dance-with-somebody-2022-free-online-kbgo/
https://zeno.fm/radio/123movies-i-wanna-dance-with-somebody-free-online-on-123movies/
https://zeno.fm/radio/123movies-watch-i-wanna-dance-with-somebody-2022-free-streaming-online/
https://zeno.fm/radio/i-wanna-dance-with-somebody-2022-movie-download-480p-720p-1080p-eng/
https://zeno.fm/radio/free-puss-in-boots-the-last-wish-2022-fullmovie-online-free-on-123movies/
https://zeno.fm/radio/123movies-watch-puss-in-boots-the-last-wish-free-online-on-123movies/
https://zeno.fm/radio/free-puss-in-boots-the-last-wish-fullmovie-online-free-on-123movies/
https://zeno.fm/radio/123movies-puss-in-boots-the-last-wish-online-on-123movies/
https://zeno.fm/radio/123movies-watch-puss-in-boots-the-last-wish-2022-free-online-q0rb/
https://zeno.fm/radio/123movies-puss-in-boots-the-last-wish-free-online-on-123movies/
https://zeno.fm/radio/123movies-watch-puss-in-boots-the-last-wish-2022-free-streaming-online/
https://zeno.fm/radio/puss-in-boots-the-last-wish-2022-movie-download-480p-720p-1080p-eng/
https://zeno.fm/radio/free-the-whale-2022-fullmovie-online-free-on-123movies/
https://zeno.fm/radio/123movies-watch-the-whale-free-online-on-123movies/
https://zeno.fm/radio/free-the-whale-fullmovie-online-free-on-123movies/
https://zeno.fm/radio/123movies-the-whale-online-on-123movies/
https://zeno.fm/radio/123movies-watch-the-whale-2022-free-online/
https://zeno.fm/radio/123movies-the-whale-free-online-on-123movies/
https://zeno.fm/radio/123movies-watch-the-whale-2022-free-streaming-online/
https://zeno.fm/radio/the-whale-2022-movie-download-480p-720p-1080p-eng/
https://zeno.fm/radio/free-summer-of-the-wolf-2023-fullmovie-online-free-on-123movies/
https://zeno.fm/radio/123movies-watch-summer-of-the-wolf-free-online-on-123movies/
https://zeno.fm/radio/123movies-watch-summer-of-the-wolf-2023-online-on-123movies/
https://zeno.fm/radio/free-summer-of-the-wolf-fullmovie-online-free-on-123movies/
https://zeno.fm/radio/123movies-summer-of-the-wolf-online-on-123movies/
https://zeno.fm/radio/123movies-watch-summer-of-the-wolf-2023-free-online/
https://zeno.fm/radio/123movies-summer-of-the-wolf-free-online-on-123movies/
https://zeno.fm/radio/123movies-watch-summer-of-the-wolf-2023-free-streaming-online/
https://zeno.fm/radio/summer-of-the-wolf-2023-movie-download-480p-720p-1080p-eng/
https://community.roku.com/t5/Community-discussions/Watch-A-Man-Called-Otto-2-Online-Free/m-p/844921#M38385
https://community.roku.com/t5/Community-discussions/Watch-M3GAN-Online-Free-123Movies/m-p/844922#M38386
https://community.roku.com/t5/Community-discussions/Where-Watch-The-Super-Mario-Bros-Online-Free/m-p/844923#M38387
https://community.roku.com/t5/Community-discussions/Watch-Inside-the-Black-Box-online-free/m-p/844929#M38388
https://www.mixily.com/event/4038138883575165402
https://www.vingle.net/posts/5139102
https://www.vingle.net/posts/5139113
https://www.vingle.net/posts/5139124
https://www.vingle.net/posts/5139137
https://www.vingle.net/posts/5139149
https://www.vingle.net/posts/5139155
https://www.vingle.net/posts/5139164
https://www.vingle.net/posts/5139170
https://www.vingle.net/posts/5139183
https://www.vingle.net/posts/5139193
https://www.mixily.com/event/2979233436043882247
https://www.mixily.com/listing/6194639880444039089
https://www.mixily.com/listing/4237108975979803977
https://www.mixily.com/listing/8277368997691478552
https://www.mixily.com/listing/5291607509725993448
https://www.mixily.com/listing/1841977714050854085
https://www.mixily.com/listing/8193639505276611311
https://www.mixily.com/listing/8235553720470582510
https://www.mixily.com/listing/4180724929940899848
https://www.mixily.com/listing/9014136738269286309
https://ide.geeksforgeeks.org/05d36049-4479-4549-9591-68deb711f77e
https://paste.ee/p/325VF
https://paste.cutelyst.org/jl1fKbyPQ
https://dpaste.com/DBETF5657
https://onecompiler.com/java/3yt95frpa
https://justpaste.it/a4t2t
https://pastebin.com/cUCvK6Bj
https://paste2.org/4LnCOfyA
https://paste.rs/KBC
https://jsfiddle.net/vchw1e9j/
https://ideone.com/Lqr1nf
https://rextester.com/UHB46476
https://pasteio.com/xDjmX46RTgxe
https://paste.cutelyst.org/msRXfzYCQ
https://0paste.com/422892
https://paste.feed-the-beast.com/view/635fe949
https://0paste.com/422894
https://www.pastery.net/nhwsxs/
https://paste.firnsy.com/paste/HieVF7AtCqi
https://controlc.com/a4a3485b
https://rentry.co/big2c
https://bitbin.it/aIq2I0pF/
https://notes.io/qmtG5
https://www.mixily.com/event/4038138883575165402
https://www.mixily.com/event/4496175484183524377
https://www.mixily.com/event/3900914212045871028
https://www.mixily.com/event/8127637401746468797
https://www.mixily.com/event/8732471730273856325
https://www.mixily.com/event/7812758181426172265
https://www.mixily.com/event/7332442233618594055
https://www.mixily.com/event/8448806281070468449
https://www.mixily.com/event/7330273667430256247
https://www.mixily.com/event/8887424627512580921
https://www.mixily.com/event/6716719761090385872
https://vocal.media/stories/watch-avatar-2-the-way-of-water-2022-free-streaming
https://qr.ae/prnIIq
https://at.tumblr.com/avatar2hd4k/downloadwatch-avatar-2-the-way-of-water/biw26hjexxd4
https://www.tumblr.com/settings/blog/avatar2hd4k
https://at.tumblr.com/avatar2hd4k/watch-avatar-2-the-way-of-water-online-free/r7hbibwzjfl1
https://flipboard.com/@filmexpert/avatar-2-full-movie-hd-9kjqsmkgy
https://lexcliq.com/watch-avatar-2-the-way-of-water-1080p-4k-hdq/
https://www.deviantart.com/saedse393/journal/Watch-Avatar-2-The-Way-of-Water-FullMovie-FreE-942786814
https://medium.com/@saedse393/avatar-2-the-way-of-water-full-movie-download-and-watch-f17c2ed59dc5
https://paste2.org/7KjYe8kj
https://yamcode.com/cqmpmq3cpd
https://ideone.com/eNjeUF
https://paste.ee/p/lxKAz
https://telegra.ph/stgdfgdfgdfg-fgdfgfdsgdfgdfgdfgdfgdfgdfg-12-28
https://rentry.co/oprgh
https://jsitor.com/INTC2DKVY2
https://apaste.info/qqNy
https://paste.cutelyst.org/U5PWfAfeQ
http://paste.jp/c4083400/
http://pastie.org/p/3vN7g1pYSsHDajv5Sw5r3X
https://justetext.com/smFSZC3uH2
https://p.teknik.io/A8qGz
https://pasteio.com/xVAd2fsrRN1N
https://ideone.com/xpwc44
https://paste.artemix.org/-/qpuPnu
https://www.pastery.net/cnkeny/
https://controlc.com/920a694e
https://notes.io/qmr1R
https://paiza.io/projects/Re1K-xcHX66w8EvG8xQiug
https://paste.centos.org/view/c757d536
https://p.teknik.io/ELQii
http://pastebin.falz.net/2484171
https://paste.laravel.io/c8485d81-db1f-40cd-bf5a-ba15aa193d99
http://www.mpaste.com/p/t9g4
https://paste2.org/gCGWmZzP
https://bitbin.it/pJmEtFTu/
https://privatebin.net/?09c9517ea98f4cf8#8JLhTQ6Qge4ue68HYP98tCvf69eMWdroLMinAtASxaHe
https://paste.gg/p/anonymous/00028a97d8bc4b8f8fe4ec9def2a86f0
https://paste.ec/paste/edvZeoUr#V5GJAB+BfXp+FvXrud1kCupKmMLcyQNdmiPKHt7Ipjh
https://paste.mozilla.org/CX2Bunf4
https://paste.myst.rs/oo5x5zit
https://paste.itefix.net/?f2996180abbb30f5#2uSbM56WdBpL52n96Jx7gfX6yVyEivBZQYtXXMJf2DQg
https://paste.imirhil.fr/?61fd0b3333c6d9b4#6KjL2lZylXkmAS2PPEWy8mT/ptvCBy7XpdzLXpi4Lkw=
https://paste.drhack.net/?bdf2e9935553aae8#4dRnvJFdbSCXJDyg8MbN6ephWuSMnf4UDzacXQPqur64
https://paste.me/?new=true
https://paste.chapril.org/?e429483ec7010053#576LuM2eiiTUZ2y4TYiKoXnz4uZDRnH5XAbdbbS2ZTe4
https://paste.offsec.com/?ba7cbdfc9a75c113#ksq5KR/faH1cLBbSiOFdxM/O3pdUbfOS7dstRAv8X3Q=
http://paste4btc.com/Jqwyjl2p
https://notepad.pw/XzHXSGZnfysUv1BT9jD6
https://controlc.com/b6ea306d
https://paste.toolforge.org/view/a10d46e0
https://paiza.io/projects/kHaXbs7i8gFGC6d1fDthZg
https://pasteio.com/xE2ib970DRO9
https://pastelink.net/u14gxseu
http://paste.jp/f9f3fe31/
https://justpaste.it/d6etr
https://pastebin.freeswitch.org/view/307445ae
https://justpaste.me/AZMm3
https://ide.geeksforgeeks.org/cb9eb92f-efc7-43c6-a762-b333143cf9f3
https://jsfiddle.net/hn8sr0mq/
https://jsitor.com/qp14TX7r7g
https://tapita.io/pagebuilder/pbpreview/8256EDX8o7rEJhxCQOzuyNLa1670428236
https://tapita.io/pagebuilder/pbpreview/8256PdakCDqWSKAStvv3sxoc1670429856
https://tapita.io/pagebuilder/pbpreview/83047BWLKIxyNoYyQIqShUce1670520054
https://tapita.io/pagebuilder/pbpreview/8304tUmKcMREEShhy89yxHoo1670520655
https://instabio.cc/4120817WI2jGe
https://instabio.cc/4120817jgYtnt
https://new.c.mi.com/br/post/28475
https://new.c.mi.com/br/post/20362
https://vk.com/kiclickmbappe-assistir-avatar-o-caminho-da-agua-filme-2022-filme-completo https://vk.com/kiclickmbappe-assistir-avatar-o-caminho-da-agua-filme-filme-completo-2022
https://vk.com/kiclickmbappe-assistir-avatar-o-caminho-da-agua-2022-filmes-dublado-online https://vk.com/miutanelbuktunk-repelis-ver-el-menu-2022-pelicula-completa-online-gratis
https://vk.com/miutanelbuktunk-pelisplus-ver-el-menu-2022-hd-en-pelicula-completa-espanol https://vk.com/miutanelbuktunk-cuevana-ver-el-menu-2022-pelicula-completa-online-en-espanol
https://assistiravatar2022filmecompletodublado.statuspage.io/
https://super-mario-bros-la-pelicula-2023-online-enespanol-latino-hd.statuspage.io/
https://supermario-bros-la-pelicula-2023-pelicula-completa-en-espanol.statuspage.io/
https://supermariobroslapeliculasubespanolpeliculacompletaonline.statuspage.io/
https://www.mixily.com/event/5864802458014756738
https://www.mixily.com/event/2598075729091652079
https://www.mixily.com/event/2533235389532636457
https://www.mixily.com/listing/4740024591984567258
https://www.mixily.com/listing/7865725559545971360
https://www.mixily.com/listing/8108365096745090120
https://www.mixily.com/listing/6802041337930161876
https://www.mixily.com/listing/546698273504044851
https://www.mixily.com/listing/1309044960202402307
https://www.mixily.com/event/5124875929359200220
https://www.mixily.com/event/6464881818371599719
https://www.mixily.com/event/7207599098972961320
https://bullet-train-2022-film-complet-en-francais.statuspage.io/
https://bullet-train-2022-francais-gratuit-et-vf-complet.statuspage.io/
https://regarder-bullet-train-2022-streaming-film-complet.statuspage.io/
https://bio.site/Bullettrainstreamingvf
https://stremingmovies.hashnode.dev/assistir-avatar-o-caminho-da-agua-2022-filme-completo-online-dublado-em-portuguese
https://vk.com/kiclickmbappe-cda-avatar-the-way-of-water-2022-caly-nowy-film-lektor-pl https://vk.com/kiclickmbappe-ogladaj-avatar-the-way-of-water-2022-caly-film-po-polsku
https://vk.com/kiclickmbappe-ogladaj-avatar-the-way-of-water-2022-caly-film-online https://techplanet.today/post/hd-avatar-el-sentido-del-agua-2022-ver-pelicula-completa-online-en-espanol-latino https://techplanet.today/post/cuevana-ver-avatar-el-sentido-del-agua-2022-pelicula-completa-en-espanol-latino https://techplanet.today/post/repelis-avatar-el-sentido-del-agua-2022-pelicula-completa-online-gratis-en-espanol https://techplanet.today/post/cda-avatar-the-way-of-water-2022-caly-nowy-film-lektor-pl https://techplanet.today/post/ogladaj-avatar-the-way-of-water-2022-online-za-darmo-caly-film-po-polsku https://techplanet.today/post/avatar-the-way-of-water-2022-caly-film-online-lektor-pl https://avatar-the-way-of-water-2022-caly-film-online-lektor-pl.statuspage.io/ https://avatar2thewayofwatercalyfilmonline.statuspage.io/ https://instabio.cc/4122508MBjXIS https://instabio.cc/4122508QB7sxL https://www.mixily.com/event/2735140417335339205 https://www.mixily.com/event/3144006158327494110 https://www.podpage.com/avatar-the-last-podcast/Avatar-The-Way-of-Water-caly-film-2022/ https://www.podpage.com/avatar-the-last-podcast/blog/sleduj-avatar-the-way-of-water-online-2022-czsk-dabing-i-titulky/ https://stremingmovies.hashnode.dev/fgjkutyiryultkyultil7 https://m.vk.com/679260897-avatar-2-teljes-film-magyarul-full-online-2022-filmek-magyar?context=author_page_date&ref=author_page
https://m.vk.com/679260897-avatar-2-teljes-film-magyarul-2022-videahu?context=author_page_date&ref=author_page https://m.vk.com/679260897-videahd-avatar-2-2022-teljes-film-magyarul-online?context=author_page_date&ref=author_page
https://m.vk.com/679260897-mozi-hd-online-avatar-2-2022-teljes-filmek-videa-hu-filmnzs?context=author_page_date&ref=author_page https://m.vk.com/679260897-nzd-avatar-2-2022-teljes-filmek-magyar-online-720p-hd-videa?context=author_page_date&ref=author_page
https://www.vingle.net/posts/5135949