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?
Popular movie review editing sites for masters .
Order NOW!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Book review writers websites us
I did my homework while i television
Term paper for
Pay to write custom expository essay on hacking
Research papers on management
Book review ghostwriting sites gb
How to make a qualifying thesis statement
term paper writer services for university rsows[/url] in term paper detop[/url] paper proofr[/url] homework[/url] 1636191Business plan creation service
Popular papers writing website uk
Resume of medical writer us
Professional thesis ghostwriters service for university
Top dissertation editing websites us
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
movie review editing sites for masters [/b] login[/url][url=http://studybay-com.designi1.com]studybay[/url]
Inner conflict macbeth essay
ghostwriters services usa ewbho 2021[/url] 2 maths past papers solutions wmrwh 2021[/url] on the book always running zurcg[/url] review ghostwriter services uk aalmy 2021[/url] proposal cover letter template[/url]Cheap case study ghostwriter sites usa
Best mba critical essay example
https://sites.google.com/view/my-essaytyper/
movie review editing sites for masters [/b] project help fpgpm 2021[/url] legislative service assistant dgeuy 2021[/url] resume with only one job xupom[/url] review of private prison costs rgmgb 2021[/url] pro[/url]tghuTRTjigFIr6F
GoNerdify.com Review
http://dz.luyizaixian.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=555215
http://twitter.com/home?status=http://xurl.es/jk99j
http://www.redsea.gov.eg/taliano/Lists/Lista%20dei%20reclami/DispForm.aspx?ID=53885
Custom best essay ghostwriting websites for school
Write curriculum vitae online
Cover letter examples for resume for medical assistant
]
[url=http://ecologia.belpromocenka.by/]экологический паспорт беларусь[/url]
https://eyetrade.ug/user/profile/38083
http://ictopschool.one/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=2192
School essay editor website usa
Scholarship essay about studying abroad
Resume downloads when internet connection is dropped
https://forum.nerdcom.host/index.php?/topic/36034-lozol-comprar-con-garantia-dominicana/&page=8#comment-667964
http://seligerforum.ru/index.php?/topic/500298-pencil-writing-on-paper/
https://www.al97.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=379904&pid=2280013&page=1643&extra=page%3D1#pid2280013
Popular movie review editing sites for masters
studies ghostwriting website – Writing information technology resume zdrzo 2021[/url] letter for administrative assistant in healthcare fsssu 2021[/url] best essay ghostwriters service us krxxj 2021[/url] best essay ghostwriting websites au ptugv[/url] movie review editing sites for masters [/b] essays ghostwriter services usa anntj[/url] definition essay editing for hire uk nodlj 2021[/url] essay why study history uzwja 2021[/url] meaning[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
http://anothercw.com/another-cold-war-war-with-china/comment-page-1/?unapproved=346855&moderation-hash=ab606a0543bfafc999005690102bb895#comment-346855
http://www.sicilyyachtagency.com/forum/donec-eu-elit/275128-unc-dissertation-committee-guidelines.html#307875
http://hobbyist.pixart.com.sg/boards/topic/310254/engineering-resume-relevant-courses
Esl critical analysis essay ghostwriters for hire for phd
movie review editing sites for masters [/b] of a persuasive thesis jfnbh 2021[/url] homework contracts for elementary school uddxl 2021[/url] academic essay editor website gb iuoys[/url] essay example 8 – Cover letter intern position examples ztdia 2021[/url] home work editor website online – How to write company vision and mission statement iihzq 2021[/url] business plan template xwcrr[/url]List of thesis statements for essays
Oskar schindler biography essay
Young Heaven – Naked Teens & Young Porn Picvtures
http://plymouthmeetingdirtiest.porn.gigixo.com/?armani
donkey dick porn girl on girl strap on porn huge hardon porn retro wives porn movies porn vedeos of israeli women
My new hot project|enjoy new website
porn romantic dress up mommy sex porn free online porn suggestions rap clip girls porn uk porn freesat frequencieshttp://famouspornstas.allproblog.com/?reyna
NEED PAPER WRITING HELP?
Cheap course work writers for hire for mba .
Proceed to Order!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Resume desktop technician
Esl blog writers websites us
Vice president government relations resume
Making a strong thesis statement
Cheap cv proofreading websites online
Do you italicize essay titles
Essay o
finance case study iyxab[/url] with custom c[/url] ghostwriters for hire online wqmrr[/url] research paper – Counter arguments in essay ghtpg 2021[/url] 19159b3Popular academic essay editor websites
Federal resume ksa example software download
Helpful homework hints
Enclosed is my resume for your perusal
Free essay on children’s day
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
course work writers for hire for mba [/b][url=http://studybay-com.qowap.com]studybay[/url]
]
research proposal ghostwriting for hire for college qqczd 2021[/url] college dissertation conclusion examples xkhuh[/url] essays – Example essay about childhood memories gimel 2021[/url] and democratic leadership essay mrutu[/url] essays writing for hire us qzxkq 2021[/url]Free downloadable resume templates for openoffice
Professional movie review writers website for masters
Essay on evils of terrorism
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
course work writers for hire for mba [/b] thesis in nursing research[/url] case study ghostwriters site au sofxg 2021[/url] presentations yqhrh[/url] literature review ghostwriters websites for masters gxpcn[/url]m tech dissertation
]
http://contek.com.ua/user/essaytyper-com/
https://wifidb.science/wiki/Essay_Pro_Fundamentals_Explained
https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/u/motionbrandy66
Negative effects of homeschooling essay
Esl creative writing ghostwriting website gb
How to write a title page for apa format
[url=http://aviaszles.ru]авиасалес официальный сайт дешевые авиабилеты[/url]
[url=https://cabinet-bank.ru.com/robot-zaymer-lichnyy-kabinet-vhod-registraciya-vosstanovlenie-parolya]займер робот[/url]
http://conf3.ifi.vnu.edu.vn/hanoi-hoan-kiem-lake1-1024×687/
https://soo.gd//studybay22318
Sample of the best resume interpreters
Common app essay topic of your choice ideas
Example of apa paper
http://brese.ru/blog/sterilizator-kupit-glasperlenovyj-uf-sterilizator-suhozharovoj-ultrazvukovaya-mojka#comment_110634
http://splitbazar.ru/blog/gde-luchshe-vsego-ustanovit-konditsioner-v-kvartire#comment_56395
https://giveitacut.com/how-to-fade-haircut-yourself/#comment-9183
Cheap course work writers for hire for mba
thinking topic rwbtc[/url] typeface free kenuk[/url] abortion essay introduction zzgau 2021[/url] tech resume templates sntmk 2021[/url] course work writers for hire for mba [/b] creative essay editor websites online ewkgs[/url] power essay ielts pxatr[/url] dissertation topics ideas blfjq[/url] report how to write vqxnw[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
https://www.jayandbee.co.za/2016/02/17/turn-your-dining-room-into-a-home-bar/#comment-151763
http://hotgoods.com.ua/blog/prazdnik-dlya-avtomobilistov-v-brovarah#comment_226295
http://hobbyist.pixart.com.sg/boards/topic/298767/cover-letter-for-finance-resume
Auto repair workshop business plan
course work writers for hire for mba [/b] statements in essays duvwn[/url] cheap personal essay on hillary vonbr[/url] annotated bibliography ghostwriters sites for masters geido[/url] justification objective tfulz[/url] phd bibliography sample yzlxw[/url] homework writer websites uk cdrem[/url]Professional biography ghostwriters website ca
Esl best essay editor services gb
Everyone loves what you guys tend to be up too. This sort of clever work and coverage! Keep up the good works guys I’ve added you guys to our blogroll. anton ewald naken spamen.wommintpri.com/map3.php
More than 50 million men all over the world are playing in digital casino. Any players prefer to win in video games, but there are also some of guys, who like poker. You need to know, that the online game poker is one of the most important games all over the world.
On calculator.poker you could search some obliging advices on how to win in online poker. In just time some guys don’t know about it. But if you don’t know about web poker tips, you can lose the game. Some of the tips usually gamblers are finding in search console. But there are many of users which like to search and to read tips from other source, like forums, chatbots, etc. On an online link where are available [url=https://calculator.poker/]calculator poker hands[/url] a lot of poker tips, you may use a poker helper and use it during the time.
Despite useful tips, you need to understand, that poker tips are very chief. Some clients from the Germany and Russia using Android and iOs tablets that support them. It means that the advanced poker calculator torrent contains useful information and guys can play in different times online poker. Usually, clients prefer using black and red colors in the game. You must to know, american web casino contains many of useful data about equity calculator online poker, but most useful information better to use by another source. One of the most russian sources are links, which contains android poker calculator or iOs.
Users who are playing in a web casino [url=https://calculator.poker/]poker calculator pro by pokerprolabs[/url] like to search more data about poker calculator for web poker on the web. Statistic informed us, that more than 1000 clients from Indonesia, Lativa, Italy, and Nepal win in web poker last year. One of the reasons for this is the poker calculator, which members may utilize now.
If you don’t know how to win in web game poker, you should start with small sums. Better to win combined with math and principles in the game. Your character is also the main aspect of every. That is why necessary to find a correct approach and to win. With the help of an advanced poker calculator, it is possible to do. You may use a poker calculator hand and find the best decisions and answers.
Using poker calculator possible to use Telegram bot and find useful information. Some men don’t know where to find web life hacks. You have an option to search poker calculator pro and use it. Users who are prefer to game in poker don’t know how to win without new pleasant ideas. The best of them are in circulation at a website where you could utilize calculator poker online.