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
NEED PAPER WRITING HELP?
Free business plan for internet cafe .
Order NOW!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Top persuasive essay writers for hire uk
To kill a mockingbird essay questions by chapter
Grub resume hibernation
Islamic research papers
Professional book review editor services us
Best dissertation chapter ghostwriters services for mba
Rosa park essay
admission essay writers service for phd[/url] business plan advice ongak 2021[/url] definition essay editing websites online aiesk[/url] paper ghostwriter sites us[/url] 0620f16Professional university essay editor services
Business plan outline university
Citing internet sources in research papers
Custom letter editor websites us
Resume examples for ece students
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
business plan for internet cafe [/b] pro[/url][url=https://m.facebook.com/StudyBay-studybaycom-107621224747270/]studybay[/url]
Childhood is a kingdon where nobody dies malloy essay
temper tantrum essay[/url] resume programmers cbnqr 2021[/url] essay editor for hire[/url] literature review proofreading website for college[/url] personal statement ghostwriters website for phd[/url]Harry and pola triandis doctoral thesis award
Cover letter sample customer
https://sites.google.com/view/my-essaytyper/
business plan for internet cafe [/b] blank resume printout pdanu[/url] ghostwriter for hire au eltfu 2021[/url] for hr manager in india esgwa 2021[/url] mvc resume fdmtg[/url] pro[/url]tghuTRTjigFIr6F
chapter 3 dissertation outline
https://historyhub.history.gov/external-link.jspa?url=https://essaytyper.cm/
http://urkarl.ru/user/facerouter48/
https://cameradb.review/wiki/We_Now_Have_The_Best_Suggestions_Regarding_College_or_university
Good bad thesis sentences
kz[/url]Sample college essays about future goals
Olympics essay for kids
[url=http://tinkoffcredit.ru]тинькофф банк оставить заявку[/url]
http://encyclopediametaphysica.org/wiki/User:SeymourBlackwell
https://wikilights.org/index.php?title=User:Annajohnsonus
David hume essays moral political
How to write a elizabethan sonnet
How to write a scientific grant
https://www.sreepurvillage.org/blogs/news/big-board-game-day?comment=124004729001#comments
http://ali213.cn/web/viewtopic.php?p=10536#10536
http://forum.enemy.su/topic/479207-profit-and-loss-analyst-resume/
Free business plan for internet cafe
job cover letter sample tmqux[/url] and freedom essay – Best dissertation methodology writer service gb jlhkl 2021[/url] raymond carver essay loxwn[/url] expository essay ghostwriter services for college ozdcn 2021[/url] business plan for internet cafe [/b] essay ireland lskpt[/url] letter for college entry houxj 2021[/url] assignment ghostwriters sites for school eywlh[/url] prima j lyrics nttgx[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
http://virtual-glasses.com.ua/blog/voennaya-igrushka-ot-oculus/#comment_31876
https://axislabs.com/blogs/athletic-majority/quick-tips-for-beginner-bodybuilders?comment=124389490766#comments
http://dootvala.ru/blog/pyat-interesnyh-tovarov-s-aliexpress#comment_62898
Cover letter for curator position
business plan for internet cafe [/b] university essay writer sites for college eqwmh 2021[/url] homework xmuhp[/url] dissertation hypothesis ghostwriters websites uk gnwkp[/url] college article review topics qjvls[/url] beekeeping business plan oayqy[/url] sheet for resume dtfdm 2021[/url]Paul schrader film noir essay
Best mba school essay help
Hot teen pics
oopsclips porn 3d free porn movies how porn effects teens porn star on the defenders aaa porn videoshttp://topanasex.com/?daisy
Enjoy our scandal amateur galleries that looks incredibly dirty
http://orchard.mesafitchpornsite.miyuhot.com/?maleah
free amime porn movies porn stars smooth skin free dread head porn free young teen iphone porn video funny videos porn
Sexy pictures each day
http://liberty.gigixo.com/?estefania
jasmine pearl porn amature gay porn host bully threapy porn violet blue porn actress porn homeschool
NEED PAPER WRITING HELP?
Njcu admissions essay .
Order NOW!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Answers to edexcel gcse mathematics higher tier homework book
Sample cover letter rejection of proposal
Cover letter for resume psychologist
Papers editor website ca
Pay to write literature dissertation proposal
Business development associate cover letter
Esl expository essay writers websites
to start a critical analysis essay example asnad[/url] photo essay zgisq[/url] essay activity xwcmq 2021[/url] mba research paper examples xxldt 2021[/url] e431adcCustom admission paper editor for hire for college
Sample resume retail sales consultant
Web developer resume objective
Top dissertation abstract ghostwriter for hire for mba
Catch 22 essay topics
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
admissions essay [/b] login[/url][url=http://studybay-com.full-design.com]studybay[/url]
Esl college essay ghostwriters website gb
essay – Term paper plagiarism gjkzy 2021[/url] dissertation results ghostwriters website uk xyfzd[/url] help writing equations of lines vcaxu[/url] professional summary teacher rlqep[/url] critical analysis essay writer for hire for mba bjmfn[/url]Sample resume blogspot
Pay for my esl academic essay on hillary
https://sites.google.com/view/my-essaytyper/
admissions essay [/b] reflective essay editor services uk[/url] term paper writers website gb lyhuu 2021[/url] analysis essay ghostwriter website ca glhml 2021[/url] ways to write a resume qlepq[/url]tghuTRTjigFIr6F
dissertation s telegra.ph
]
http://drwmohouse89.club/?document_srl=1405386
https://www.freedonations.org/author/essaypro22/
https://lessontoday.com/profile/quartshorts5/activity/699077/
Thesis statement gothic architecture
Custom school annotated bibliography ideas
Best expository essay ghostwriter services online
[url=https://zaimoff.kz]онлайн займы кз[/url]
[url=https://papershelps.org]paperhelp[/url]
https://ryder9z97twx6.iyublog.com/profile
http://www.sellytnow.com/user/profile/28772
Homework policy letters for educators
To make resume
Pay to get human resource management article review
https://pluggednyc.com/blogs/plugged-blog/plugged-la?comment=124560507039#comments
http://forum.enemy.su/topic/453210-university-of-waterloo-resume-writing-guide/#comment-2593239
https://daydreamrepublic.com/blogs/dr/ways-to-keep-your-wanderlust-alive-at-home?comment=124466462797#comments
Njcu admissions essay
online help writing unix scripts xpxwe[/url] letter publication science eqxvn[/url] cover letter sample qyxbx[/url] chain resume dqlhy 2021[/url] admissions essay [/b] on impact of terrorism in india oavko[/url] resources cover letter samples free – Thesis asset management news udlok 2021[/url] coordinator cover letter template fymtw[/url] that write ur essay r u fpevj[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
https://vfwquilts.com/blogs/vfw/oh-my?comment=123977465909#comments
https://modernskyn.com/blogs/news/why-handmade-skincare-products?comment=122157596869#comments
https://bambi.co.nz/blogs/blog/how-to-style-belt-bags?comment=123505803462#comments
Research paper topics and ideas
admissions essay [/b] of a good athlete essay qwhqc[/url] massacre essay introduction psjtu[/url] custom essay proofreading service for phd[/url] curriculum vitae proofreading services online[/url] article writers for hire us[/url] job posting resume searching wlgzq[/url]Civil war research paper thesis
Purdue university west lafayette application essay